Meet February “Do the Right Thing” winner: Rabbit Zeilke

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – February’s “Do the Right Thing” winner Rabbit Zeilke was volunteering at Chattacon when we caught up with her, but it’s her volunteer work serving as the Bookmark Fairy with the United Way that won her the award.

Kelley Nave explained why Zeilke is so special. She said, “Rabbit over the past several years has probably volunteered approximately 100 hours or more, being the Bookmark Fairy for United Way’s educational activities.”

We asked the educational-encouraging Zeilke how she felt about being honored by Integrity Automotive group and News12 Now and she said, “Now I don’t have an answer for that and I usually have an answer for everything. But I know if there’s any place to have money, a convention is a great place to go.”

Nave added, “Rabbit has been just one like of the most awesome advocates for early childhood education and literacy.” Zeilke followed up with, “I kind of believe that a book can take you anywhere, and a bookmark takes you back. And so if we can get children reading then that means very shortly they’ll be learning and then as their dreams develop, they’ll know how to follow them because they’ll find it in a book.”

But that’s not the only wind beneath her wings. Zeilke also serves as the voice for tours at the Hunter Museum, is an announcer at Chattanooga Roller Derby and works at WUTC. Her husband Jack is always right by her side, serving as “Fairy Wrangler” when she’s in costume.

Jack Zeilke said, “They get excited just in general because she’s a giant fairy, but she also always interacts with them and gets them to respond back. Make noises, that the characters in the books are making noises and they seem to really enjoy that.” Rabbit added, “Giving back to the community I think is the best thing a person can do. And if you take a moment and give a moment, what you get back is 10,000 times more than what you give every time. You never know what kind of impact you’ll have on a life for the few moments you sat down with someone. It’s worth it.”