The old phrase “busy as a bunny” took on a new meaning as the Easter Bunny hopped into the Bayonne Youth Center on April 8, making the rounds to various venues throughout Northern New Jersey.
Coming from a pizza party in Lodi, the Easter Bunny posed for pictures with some of the 30 kids who had come to celebrate Easter at the Youth Center.
The bunny is part of a 20-year tradition sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne, and the visit here was part of a week long series of visits that included the Bayonne Community Day Care Center on Broadway and the Bayonne Equal Opportunity Foundation on Kennedy Boulevard.
Keeping the Easter Bunny company during its tour were Frank and Jean Perrucci, who – as members of the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne – are deeply involved in many of its programs.
“This is a long running tradition for us,” said Frank Perrucci. “This is one of the stops the Easter Bunny makes each year.”
A table full of gift baskets including brightly colored eggs sat on a table as the kids gathered to receive their baskets. A bulletin board above the gifts still boasts pictures of President Barack Obama, as well as state Senator Sandra Cunningham, models of achievement for many of the African American children who come to the center each day after school.
“We try to find a place for kids to go to keep them off the streets.” – Margaret
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“We try to find a place for kids to go to keep them off the streets,” Hamiel said.
Hamiel’s name has become synonymous with the center, someone who has tried to retire several times, but has always come back.
Founded by Sabra Jackson, the center opened at another location in 1945, and was relocated to Kennedy Boulevard and 22nd Street in the mid-1980s after the property was bequeathed to the center. An annual membership drive helps provide funds.
In January, the center honored several local leaders at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon at The Chandelier on Broadway. Each year, the Youth Center gives out a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award to those that “instill the importance of obtaining an education,” or by “demonstrating by modeling appropriate behaviors and attitudes.” This year’s honorees included P.S. No. 14 Principal Janice Lo Re, corporate leader Earnest Christopher Allen, teacher Karen M. Young and Caryl van Baaren, director of the Bayonne Faith Based Center.
Currently, the center is taking applications for its summer program. Those interested can get more information at the center at 534 Kennedy Boulevard.