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| Spreading Holiday Cheer |
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 If you would like to spread some holiday cheer to a homeless child or family, please consider making a donation to Rainbow Days. Your support will help make the holidays a little brighter for children and families who are less fortunate. Please mail your donation (make checks payable to Rainbow Days) to:
Rainbow Days, Inc.
8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600,
Dallas, TX 75206
If you would like to make your donation by credit card, please visit the Rainbow Days website and click on "Donate Now" or call 214-887-0726 to make your donation by phone.
Thank you for your continued support! |
| Mavs Turkey Dunk was a Slam Dunk for Rainbow Days! |
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 On November 23rd, the Dallas Mavericks and Nick & Sam's hosted their 13th annual Mavericks Turkey Dunk, and this year, more than 100 Rainbow Days children were invited to participate! This was the first year the Mavericks have partnered with Rainbow Days and what a special treat it was for the children. The afternoon featured a basketball clinic hosted by all Mavericks players and several coaches, followed by a four-course Thanksgiving meal courtesy of Nick & Sam's Steakhouse. Mavs mascots Champ and Mavs Man also made an appearance during the event and all children in attendance received a commemorative Turkey Dunk t-shirt.  Special thanks to the Dallas Mavericks and Nick & Sam's Steakhouse for allowing Rainbow Days to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event! |
| Mutual of America |
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In November, Cathey Brown, (Founder and CEO of Rainbow Days) and Kelly Wierzbinski, (Director of Children Youth and Family Services) had the privilege of flying to New York to accept the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award on behalf of Rainbow Days' Family Connection Program.
This award recognized outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.
During the trip, the ladies also had the opportunity to ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell. What an awesome experience, and what an amazing award this is for Family Connection. Congratulations to the Family Connection Team and to the many partners, supporters, donors and volunteers of this program. |
| Saturday with Santa |
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With Christmas just around the corner, Rainbow Days recently teamed up with Santa Claus to bring some holiday cheer to over 400 Dallas area homeless children. Hundreds of families from local shelters enjoyed this festive holiday celebration designed especially for them. This year's event featured the showing of Polar Express, arts & crafts, karaoke, a Santa letter-writing station, and the distribution of stockings filled with goodies from Santa Claus himself!  Rainbow Days is proud to have had the following volunteer groups participate in this event: 1st Global, AT&T Ginger Oak Club, AT&T Pioneers, the Department of Agriculture, National Charity League - Golden Corridor Chapter, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Young Leaders Society, Van Alstyne High School, and Rainbow Days, Inc. Agency Volunteers. Special thanks are also in order for World Vision, Protecting our Children (a division of the Department of Agriculture), Wellness International, 1st Global, and the National Charity League, for their donations and financial support of this event. |
| Rainbow Days Children Give Back to the Community |
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Children from Salvation Army and Union Gospel Mission recently joined together with Rainbow Days and the Girl Scouts for a 2-part "Giving back to the Community" service project. This was also an opportunity for Stephanie Tilden, a junior at Ursuline Academy, to work on her Gold Award.
During the first part of the project, the children were treated to a complete Thanksgiving meal, while being taught proper etiquette by Colleen Rickenbacher.
The second part of the project saw each child spending time and creative energy designing special Thanksgiving crafts for the Seniors at the West Dallas Multi-Purpose Center for Senior Citizens. After all the crafts were completed, Rainbow Days staff member, Brandon Dawson presented the crafts on behalf of the children. During the presentation, the Seniors gave storied lessons on the importance of respecting elders and how important it is to give back, no matter how much or how little you have.
What a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn the importance of giving back to the community! |
| Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities |
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 Support 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 72 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. Volunteers are also required to give an 8-week commitment to the group(s) they sign up for.
The next training date for Support Group Co-Facilitators is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 9:00am - 3:00pm. To register for this training, please call the Rainbow Days offices at 214-887-0726.
Birthday Boxes
 Want to help a homeless child celebrate his/her birthday?
Birthday Boxes are a fun way to help a homeless child celebrate his or her birthday. Shoe boxes are decorated with birthday wrap and filled with small gifts, games, and special surprises for homeless children who are celebrating their birthdays while living in a shelter. The birthday boxes provide a great opportunity for children of all ages and backgrounds to help other children who are less fortunate. It's also a great group project. If you would like to make some birthday magic by donating Birthday Boxes, please contact Shawn Wills via email or at 214-887-0726. |
| Happy Anniversary |
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The staff and Executive Board of Directors of Rainbow Days recently joined together for their annual Board/Staff Holiday Luncheon. This year's luncheon took place at Maggiano's NorthPark. Individuals receiving awards included:
- Jennifer Bishop - 5 years as a member of the Executive Board of Directors
- Tanya Nelson - 5 years as Children, Youth and Family Specialist
- Carol Youssef - 10 years as Accounting Coordinator
- Karen Williams - 10 years as Director of Special Projects
Congratulations to you all for your tenure and commitment to Rainbow Days!
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| Board Member in the Spotlight:
Shelley Fuld Nasso |
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Shelley Fuld Nasso has been involved with Rainbow Days and has served on the Board of Directors since 2003. Her initial introduction to Rainbow Days was through Todd Porch, then President of the Rainbow Days Board of Directors and co-worker at Yahoo! Shelley now works at Susan G. Komen for the Cure as their Director of Public Policy.
Although Rainbow Days works with a variety of children in a multitude of situations it is the homeless population that is closest to Shelley's heart. Before her first son was born she co-facilitated a weekly group at one of the shelters Rainbow Days serves. "I loved seeing the same kids week after week and establishing a real relationship with them," says Fuld Nasso. At the most recent Camp Broadway Shelley (AKA Ms. Snickerdoodle) took a couple of days to spend at camp with the kids. "It was amazing to me how my perspective had changed, now that I have my own children. It was actually quite difficult for me because I kept thinking of my own children and how unfair it was that these beautiful kids did not have the same advantages that my kids have. It reaffirmed my belief in Rainbow Days and how important the work we do is to the children in our community," reflects Fuld Nasso.
Whenever Shelley has an opportunity to share the work that Rainbow Days does she focuses on the homeless children they serve as it is the work that is most meaningful to her and the easiest to explain. She has had the opportunity to hear Cathey Brown speak on numerous occasions, "but I learn something new every single time...she is amazing," remarks Fuld Nasso.
Shelley enjoys spending her time with her family, being a sports mom, cooking, practicing yoga, walking, tackling crossword puzzles and reading. In addition to the work she does with Rainbow Days, Shelley is also involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and was formerly a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters. However, her little sister recently graduated from high school after being with Shelley for 7 years. She has also volunteered at the Dallas Women's Foundation as well as several other organizations in the past. | |
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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
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