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eConnection
In This Issue
Back-to-School Celebration
Save the Date: 5th Annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament and Casino Night
Macy's Shopping Days
Cheese Stinks!
New Year/New Officers and Board Members
Volunteer Opportunities
Quick Links
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Vol. 49 September 2009
Back to School Celebration...a HUGE Success!
 
BTS09girlsRainbow Days, in partnership with Captain Hope's Kids and the Dallas Market Center, recently hosted its 18th Annual Back-to-School Celebration for nearly 400 children from 18 local homeless, transitional or domestic violence living shelters. During this "pep rally/carnival-like event", the children enjoyed entertainment, games and refreshments while receiving new school uniforms and new backpacks filled with school supplies - all to help give them a fresh start for the new school year. 
 
BTS09boysA special thank-you to the incredibly generous donors and volunteers from: AT&T, AT&T Pioneers - Ginger Oak Club, Bullitt Chiropractic, Captain Hope's Kids, Citi, Dallas Market Center, DISD, DoubleTree Hotel - Campbell Centre, KMPG's Network of Women, Mom's Best Friend, National Charity League, Office Depot National Backpack Program, Saintsville C.O.G.I.C., St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Towers Perrin, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Women's Leadership Council and Wellness International Network, LTD. who, along with numerous individual donors, donated ALL of the school supplies to fill 566 backpacks!
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament and Casino Night
Please join us on Thursday, October 22, 2009, at the DoubleTree Hotel - Campbell Centre, for the 5th Annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament and Casino Night! 
 
Players will once again compete for some outstanding prizes including round-trip airfare for 2 to Las Vegas, including a 2-night stay at the Venetian, golf packages, American Airline Suite Tickets, spa packages, and fine dining from area restaurants.  Sign up now to reserve your spot! 
 
Registration for the Poker Tournament is only $125 for individuals or $200 for couples; Black Jack registration is only $50 (Registration includes your entry fee, buffet, and soft drinks). 
 
All proceeds benefit the programs and services of Rainbow Days. 
 
For more details or to register, please call 214-887-0726.  You can also register on-line by clicking here.
Macy's Shopping Days
ShoppingCalling all shoppers:
Have fun shopping while you support Rainbow Days!
 
For a $5 donation to Rainbow Days, you can receive an all-day shopping pass for 20% off your entire purchases at all Macy's on Saturday, October, 17, 2009
 
To purchase your "Macy's Shop for a Cause" shopping pass, please email Tiffany Beaudine or call 214.887.0726.  
Cheese Stinks!
Cheese Stinks - Heroin Kills
Cheese Heroin, a cheap, highly addictive drug consisting of black tar heroin and over-the-counter night time cold medications, continues to affect the Hispanic community in Dallas. Rainbow Days has recently helped organize two solidarity marches in the Love Field and Overlake Park areas to unite affected families and neighborhoods in promoting community awareness and education following another Cheese Heroin death of a ninth grade student. The two marches included representatives from the Dallas Police Department, Dallas ISD, Dallas Parks and Recreation, parents, children, local churches and businesses.  Following the marches, the Love Field Mobilization Team helped the community organize a Cheese Heroin faith-based group, Freedom from Cheese Heroin Ministry, which meets on Fridays.
New Year/New Officers and Board Members
Rainbow Days is excited to launch the beginning of our new fiscal year, (which began Tuesday, September 1, 2009), and is looking forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead as we work together to give children hope for a promising future. As such, we are pleased to welcome our new Officers and 2 new Board Members to the Executive Board of Directors!
 
New Officers:
Fred Halfpap          President
Eric Appel               1st Vice President
Carolyn Hess           2nd Vice President/Resource Development Chair
Denise Galsco          Secretary
Greg Pascuzzi          Treasurer/Finance Chair
 
We would also like to welcome our 2 new Board Members, Lesley Ardemagni, Vice President & Legal Counsel at Comerica Bank, and Geoff Green, President and CEO of Extended Warranty Group. 
 
Thank you for your commitment to Rainbow Days!
 
Volunteer Opportunities
 
kids holding handsSupport Group Co-Facilitator - Ongoing:  Volunteers are needed to help co-facilitate small groups of children using our Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) program, which incorporates guided discussions, games, art projects and other activities.
 
Groups are held at one of the 80 partnering sites throughout the Dallas area including shelters, recreational centers, and schools. Trained volunteers are paired with a Rainbow Days staff member to help lead the support groups. In addition to attending a volunteer orientation, all group co-facilitators must attend a 6-hour training session.
 
Groups meet weekly, days and evenings, and volunteers are asked to work in 2 hour shifts-which includes preparation time.  The next training date for Support Group Co-Facilitators is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 9:00am - 3:00pm.  To register for this training, please call the Rainbow Days offices at 214-887-0726.
eConnection is a monthly newsletter published by the staff of Rainbow Days, Inc.  For more information on our programs, please contact us at:
 
8150 N. Central Expwy.
Suite 1600
Dallas, TX  75206
214-887-0726 / 214-887-0729 FAX