By Judy Goddess

Bobby Thomas, entertainer, emcee, former butcher at the Inner Sunset’s Andronico’s Market and neighbor, is a fixture at Family House, where he’s known as “Bobby the Bunny.”

“My overall goal is to always put love into action,” Thomas said.

Family House provides free, temporary housing in a supportive environment for families of children undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious chronic diseases at the University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital. Thomas’ commitment to Family House knows no bounds.

Thomas was introduced to Family House by one of his customers who, after watching him prance around the meat counter in a bunny suit one Easter almost 30 years ago, asked if he would be willing to entertain the families at Family House. Those were in the early days of Family House when the program was housed in a remodeled home on Irving Street that housed only eight families.

Times have changed. In 2016, Family House closed their Irving Street home and built a facility that can house up to 80 families.

Through all these changes, “Bobby the Bunny” has remained constant. He is there at Easter, of course, distributing Easter baskets and leading the children on an egg hunt. And what would Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving be without Bobby the Bunny?

At 6’3”, Thomas is a large bunny, a phenomenon of nature with boundless energy and cheer. Many who visited Andronico’s before Thomas left the market almost two years ago, have vivid memories of toddlers squealing “Bobby, Bobby” as Thomas entertained them by juggling sausages.

“It’s the highlight of his week,” Barry O’Reilly, the father of a two-year-old, recalled. “Bobby was the hero of the neighborhood.”

While some older customers were more reserved, they would often be observed sharing sports scores and personal news with Thomas, or reporting on how that piece of meat he sold them the previous week cooked up. Joan Downey, one of Thomas’ customers, recalls his effort to put foreign shoppers at ease by asking them to teach him how to say “hello,” “thank you” and the names of types of meat in their own language.

“I love speaking different languages,” Thomas said. “I talked to all the communities – Russian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Irish, Mexican, Chinese, the Armenian community and others. I tried to learn how to say numbers and phrases in each language.

“My customers are my family. They supported me for almost 29 years and continue to check on me and stay in touch. I have gained so many close friends, and I love and miss all of them.”

Thomas is known for, when asked how he is doing, responding, “I’m blessed every day.”

Thomas not only shares his love to the community and to Family House – he also recruits other volunteers to give their time and money. Police and firemen bring gifts and joy, while some of his friends lead activities for the organization. Brothers Robert and Albert Dudum, who own and operate Parnassus Heights Pharmacy “have helped me with almost all my endeavors by contributing money, time, physical labor, raffle prizes and toys to the Family House for over 27 years,” Thomas said.

Under Thomas’s sponsorship, the students at St. Anne’s Elementary School hold annual fundraisers for the program. The Community Living Campaign, Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church and SFOG clothing store have also helped with fundraising and donations.

Then there are his neighbors, customers and friends.

For the past four years, Thomas has organized a local fundraiser for Family House. Initially, he held the event at The Sage & Drifter, a bar on 15th Avenue and Irving Street. This year, needing more space, Thomas moved the party to the hall at St. Anne of the Sunset where on April 25, “Indestructible Kids, Part 4” attracted more than 150 of Thomas’ friends and neighbors for an evening of music, dancing, conversation, drink and pizzas donated from Golden Boy Pizza on Taraval Street.

While admission and pizza were free, drinks and constant raffle opportunities raised $10,000 for Family House.

“The best feeling is uniting all walks of life in our community for one common cause, to help kids with cancer,” Thomas said. “Everyone has a great time, meets and connects with people in the neighborhood and leaves with new friends. It’s such a blessing.”

For Thomas, raising $10,000 was good, but he wants to raise $1 million, so he plans to keep trying.

Friends and neighbors aren’t the only contributors Thomas introduced to Family House. Several years ago, he celebrated his big 50th birthday with a fundraiser at the Folsom Street Foundry in the South of Market, raising $25,000 for Family House.

“Bobby Thomas (a.k.a. ‘Bobby the Bunny’) … has an extraordinary heart – raising money, gathering toys and leading volunteers to support the families in our care,” said Katherine Thompson, Family House’s CEO. “ In 2026 alone, he helped to raise over $40,000 for families whose children are being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses … Bobby volunteers as an emcee and hosts private events for us, too. We wouldn’t be Family House without him.”

In addition to volunteering at Family House, Thomas has been emceeing and officiating weddings, galas and parties for 30 years. Ten years ago, he expanded his repertoire to emceeing fundraisers and annual events. Now, since leaving Andronico’s, Thomas found time to complete his associates degree at City College and plans to enroll in the broadcast studies department at San Francisco State University.

“I thank God for every second of every blessing, and I ask God to bless me with an opportunity to help someone every day,” Thomas said. “I want to have my own TV show full of fun, laughter and excitement while uniting all walks of life and helping people in need.”

To keep up with Thomas’s activities, check his website, BlessedEveryDay.net.