Biker Bunny visits children at Winthrop

Patrick Quinn was supposed to get his picture taken with the Easter Bunny this weekend.

Instead, the 18-month-old was in the pediatric ward at Winthrop-University Hospital. Plans for the photo session were put on hold.

But then, just before noon Saturday, the Biker Bunny made his rounds, stopping by Patrick's room on the fifth floor of the Mineola hospital.

Sheepish at first, Patrick shied away from the Harley-Davidson-outfitted bunny, who was wearing a leather vest and orange bow tie. But after a stuffed monkey and ladybug pillow were handed to him, he high-fived the bunny and posed for a picture.

"Thanks so much," his father, Brian Quinn, said. "I greatly appreciate it."

And the photo? "It will go in the memory box," he said.

Despite pouring rain, 18 members of the Lighthouse Harley Owner's Group rode the 16 miles from Lighthouse Harley-Davidson in Huntington to the hospital. Another 30 to 35 members drove, including the Biker Bunny, also known as Dominick Mazza.

"Even though we're rough and tough and wear leather, deep down, we're parents," said Bill Vultaggio, director of the Lighthouse chapter.

The group visited an activities center and then went room to room. Chazz Opperman, 11, from Bellmore, got a few World Wrestling Entertainment figures, including Stone Cold Steve Austin and the lesser-known Bastion Booger. He also got a picture with Biker Bunny.

"Fun," Chazz said. "He was fun."

"They're the sweetest people, they really are," his mom, Liza Opperman, said.