The Story of Bunny Honeyman
“Take her home. Make her feel happy. She’s going to die by age 13.” These are the words a worried mother was told by a doctor.
Bonita “Bunny” Honeyman’s story begins on Easter when she was born into a loving family that nicknamed her after the Easter bunny. Unfortunately, at age 7, Bunny started to experience a loss of vision. People did not believe her and each day became harder to see. By the time Bunny turned 11 years old, her muscles were deteriorating as well and she started using a wheelchair. Doctors told Bunny she had an unknown genetic disorder affecting her muscles and sight. They said there was no hope. By age 21, Bunny miraculously worked herself off the wheelchair and into a walker. At the age of 30, doctors properly diagnosed Bunny with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a retinal degeneration disease which has left her with less than 1% of vision.
1% of vision has never stopped Bunny from giving 100%.
Nearly 20 years ago, Bunny was offered a bell ringer volunteer opportunity with The Salvation Army. After 1 hour of ringing, Bunny decided she wanted to continue another hour. Then another hour. Then another hour. 18 years later, Bunny has raised thousands of dollars for people in need in her local community.
“Bunny feels that people have helped her over the years and she just wants to give back through bell ringing,” says Bunny’s sister Diane.
Bunny Honeyman has always been admired and adored by her local community, but now she has inspired people all around the country to Do The Most Good.
The donations in our iconic red kettles support local Salvation Army year-round services and programs which feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and make Christmas bright for families in need.
To see all of the ways you can make a difference in your local Chicagoland community, please click here.