Who Are The Bunnies?

The Order of the Pink Velvet Ear Greeters, also called “The Pink Bunny Greeters,” or “The Greeters”, is a ministry dedicated to seeing the face of The Beloved in all those we welcome on the streets of the world by simply waiving and saying, “hi.”

The order’s founder, Reverend Donny Lobree, had two profound inspirations that moved him to found the Pink Velvet Ear Greeters. The first was the story of the Laguna Beach, CA man who stood by the roadside and waived to all who drove or walked by. He became known as “The Greeter.” He did not ask for anything in return as he opened his heart to acknowledge each person he saw. Today, over 30 years after his death, a statue erected to him still stands in the town square as a tribute to his work.

The other heart opening experience for Rev. Donny came as he brought a quartet of musicians to play at an Alzeimer’s Residental Facility. Usually, Rev. Donny would play his viola for the residents. However, on this occasion, there were enough musicians so he could just sit and enjoy the music being shared. As the musicians played, a woman in advanced stage Alzheimers began to sing to words to the old tune the string quartet was playing, “I love you, I’ll always love you.” Upon seeing Donny sitting in the back of the room, she walked directly towards him and then stood in front of him as she took his hand and continued singing.

As Donny looked into her blank eyes, her face seemed to melt away and Donny saw the face of Christ. Not only did he see His face, but felt Christ’s love wash over him.

Donny decided he wanted to share the experience of seeing the face of Christ or “The Beloved. On Christmas day, 2006, he donned the habit of the pink bunny for the first time and went into the streets of San Francisco to welcome each man, woman, child and animal that passed by. In each person’s face, he saw The Beloved once again.

Since the order of the Pink Velvet Ear Greeter’s inception, others have asked to be initiated into The Order of the Pink Velvet Ear Greeters. Today, there are over 30 people who greet and transform their cities in the USA and Australia.

Rev. Donny became ordained and established The Order of the Pink Velvet Ear Greeters as a church. He explains: “Our church has no brick and mortar building, no lessons, no hymns, no sermons. Ours is only the experience of Love in Action.”