The Rabbit Haven's 2007 Holiday Bag Program

Update: December 19, 2007

Our Holiday gift bag gathering was a great success. With a group of Haven volunteers creating these bags together, the shelter bunny gift bags are surely filled with special love. These shelter bunnies have so little in their lives. We make a big difference by taking time to create their gifts, and then our special TLC volunteers deliver the bags to each bunny at their assigned shelter. What a fun job! Providing toys, treats and love to a shelter bunny.

Setup started at 10 AM with food and supplies, then the space was set up from 10:00 to 11:30. The tables were all arranged and little mini lights were arranged to add a bit of warmth for our special day. Then our elves appeared one by one to offer their time and talents to create a bit of magic to share with our shelter bunnies. After refreshments were shared, we went to work. Gentle music played and a sweet little bunny tree offered a special glow.

Together, we created 350 bags in a little under two hours. We still had time to talk and enjoy a wonderful array of food. This year we really got so much done in a shorter time frame which left plenty of time for conversation and packing up the many shelter boxes. Each volunteer took their place and we worked as a well organized team to fill bags, assemble them and then tie each with a special willow ring.

Thank you to all of our special volunteers who came on a Sunday to make this part of the project a success. We at The Rabbit Haven would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals whose donations make this project possible:

The next part of the project involves delivering the bags to each of the Bay Area shelters, and personal delivery of a bag to each bunny, plus a good help of TLC added in. TLC shelter gift bag delivery volunteers go to the shelter and personally give each shelter bunny their special bag. During the gift delivery each rabbit is treated to some loving pets and words of encouragement. They usually do not need much help opening their bags! It is very important that we give the bag and TLC as well. That is the position of shelter gift bag delivery person. What a great job! Giving a shelter bunny some love and a holiday gift.

After the bags are all delivered, we'll have photos showing the bunnies in action with their holiday gifts. Watch our website for updates!

Update: December 12, 2007

The Holidays are here! Wishing everybunny joy and happiness!

Make life better for a shelter bunny!

Most of us are having fun with friends and family, playing with friends and celebrating the season. However, the holidays are not usually a good time for rabbits stuck in shelters. They are often left out, and have no family to share the season with. They are lonely and have next to nothing. This year why not share the wonders of the season with some little bunnies - Help brighten their day with your gifts of love.

Shelters often have a larger number of rabbits than usual during the holidays. Staff tends to be limited and the rabbits neglected and lonely. They need help. The Rabbit Haven has recognized this need and we have organized a fun holiday gift bag program just for rabbits at shelters or in foster care. So, our volunteers work an entire day and create special bunny gift bags, and then devoted, kind volunteers go out near the holidays to each shelter and hand deliver a bag to each rabbit! These special volunteers give the bunnies their bags and some much needed pets. We hope to bring a little brightness into their lives and to help them feel loved.

Last year the program was a great success. Now, it is time again for another holiday gift bag program. We are working to gather donations to put into these little shelter bunny gift bags. If you would like to add to this gift bag for some bunny please contact us by email to discuss our needs. We are short willow candy canes from Busy bunny, hard plastic toys, and raffia. This year even with some business support we will need community help too to make this happen. This year we are serving 350 rabbits in shelters form Martinez to Monterey. (that is about 10 shelters) They are all counting on us so we hope you will join us to make this holiday season joyful for some very sad, isolated shelter bunnies.

This year we are creating those fun filled gift bags for bunnies to enjoy. Our holiday gift bag hopefully will include hay, hay cakes, a willow ball and a plastic throw toy. Of course, little fun treats are placed inside too as is their hay roll. Very special young volunteers are making all 350 hay rolls! Wow (the bunnies love hay rolls). Each bunny gift bag is tied carefully with raffia and an edible willow ring is added for their chewing enjoyment. We have the balls, the hay and willow rings handled now we are just lacking the toys!

Can you please help as well? The rabbits love these gift bags. This is such a fun project and brings so much joy to the shelter bunnies and to our community. Most of these rabbits have never had a treat or a toy. We like to brighten their lives - We cannot rescue every shelter bunny, but we can certainly can help make their lives happier while they wait at their shelters. Please let me know if you can contribute to this project and help these little bunnies. The bunnies have their paws crossed.

You could help in so many ways. Please join in this wonderful community project - The Rabbit Holiday gift bag project.

How to help:

Donate via PayPal or by check for supplies we need to buy
Purchase and send donations of toys - bring them to one of our shows or call for your nearest center
Become a Haven volunteer and learn how to give the gift of your time and love to shelter bunnies
Become a foster person and work with us to help support shelter rabbits in need
Help us put together these fun bags - call for details

To learn more about the project, or to find out about volunteering or donating please email Auntie Heather at director@therabbithaven.org or call us at (831)239-7119.