Rocking the Rabbit Suit

If not for asthma brought on by exposure to Mt. St. Helens, James Jackson might be helping out earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan right about now.

Instead, he’s dressing up in a borrowed rabbit suit to amuse children at various Easter Egg Hunts.

Jackson, a lifetime member of the Lake Hopatcong Rescue Squad, started his hop down the bunny trail after being asked to portray Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Camp Jefferson some years ago. He then heard of a need for the Easter Bunny and volunteered for that, too.

He loves his gigs as child-friendly characters “just to see the looks on their faces.”

It takes no acting talent, “you just get in costume and play with the kids. Some run toward me and some really run away,” he said with a laugh.

Most years he just portrays the rabbit at the town’s Easter Egg Hunt, but this year he made an appearance at the Hurdtown United Methodist Church’s hunt as well.

His Rudolph gigs in December are a little more extensive. He participates with the rescue squad and fire department at a Christmas parade in Wallington, a church breakfast, Camp Jefferson and the fire truck Santa tours of both fire companies.

“I have a week to 10 days of Rudolph,” he said.

Jackson owns the Rudolph costume and will probably buy his own Bunny-suit as well.

About that asthma: Jackson was a Petty Officer Third Class in Bremerton, WA., working as a boatswain’s mate on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier when Mt. St. Helens erupted. An episode of asthma from breathing the dust resulted in a medical discharge, ending his thoughts of maybe making the Navy his career.

Now, he works as an emergency medical technician for Atlantic Ambulance in Newton. After living in Paterson, Chatham and Boonton, he moved to Jefferson some years ago and started his auxiliary career as the Easter Bunny.

With no children of his own and only grown nieces and nephews, Jackson has taken advantage of his volunteer efforts to enjoy the company of kids.