Celeste Williamson of Canton is shown here with Thor. He was adopted shortly after the event by another family in Canton. | Photo courtesy of Barbara Rambold.

Trying to come up with unique fundraisers can be challenging. You want them to appeal to different groups, and you want them to be fun.

Last March the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary, where I volunteer, held an event called “Easter Photos." We had a professional photographer take pictures of guests with the sanctuary bunnies. Appointments gave visitors a half hour with the photographer, and guests received one printed five by seven-inch picture. Pictures were also available on Snapfish.com, allowing geuests to purchase a variety of other options later.

It was a fun event that I think people really enjoyed. However, for Christmas I wanted to make it even better. Receiving one printed picture didn’t really work. How could you give one to Grandma Betty and not Grandma Rosie? And, did you forget about a picture for Aunt Angie? Didn’t she need one?

For our next fundraiser, we are offering 20-minute appointments with the photographer for the holidays and are calling it “Photos with Santa.” This event is open to people with kids, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. We have appointments with people and their pets, their kids and their kids and their pets. You don’t have to have Santa in all your pictures either.

I am so excited about all of the props that we have collected, from an assortment of trees and a small radio flyer wagon to assorted stuffed toys, snowmen and even a sled. The pictures should be fabulous and early enough for you to get your cards out on time for the holidays.

I really had a vision of a sled in the pictures. I thought that would be an alternative for larger families and large dogs. I couldn’t imagine a golden retriever sitting on Santa with two kids.

It took a while, but I finally found one on Monday. I think the gal at the store thought I was a nut. I couldn’t stop smiling because I was so ecstatic.

The best part about this event is that everything has been donated by supporters, so 100 percent of the money collected will go directly to the sanctuary.

Eva is an adorable rabbit from St. Petersburg, Fla. She is so photogenic. We met on a social networking site named Bunspace.com. | Photo courtesy of Allison Turbee.

We are encouraging appointments, but walk-ins are welcome. Sessions are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21. If you are interested in booking an appointment or have questions, please contact me at Debbie@rabbitsanctuary.org.

Debbie Ann is a volunteer at Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (GLRS) in Willis, Mich.