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Be sure to check the "eConnection" List |
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| Thank You! |
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As we reflect on the greatest gifts Rainbow Days received in 2009, it is the support and friendship of our donors, volunteers, partners, and colleagues that stand out. Despite difficult economic times, you have made our growth and success possible. Among our successes, we are especially grateful that you helped us to:
- Serve over 3,000 children and youth through a Curriculum Based Support Group (CBSG®)
- Expand our summer camps from 3 to 5, and send nearly 600 homeless children to one of these camps
- Raise more than $170,000 from our 2009 Pot of Gold Luncheon
- Distribute more than 400 backpacks, school supplies, and uniforms to homeless children
Your friendship and support have benefited thousands of homeless and at-risk children in our area, and we are very grateful.
Thank you for your continued support! |
| 13th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon |
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Join us for the 13th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon, presented by AT&T, on Friday, April 23, 2010, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel!
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this fabulous event as we celebrate your commitment and investment to the children served by Rainbow Days. Your involvement is key to making this event the best ever.
To get involved as a sponsor or committee member, or to donate an item to the Mystery Bag Auction, please contact Tai McLemore via email or at 214-217-3831. |
| Save the Date!
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - Rainbow Days' Promise Awards |
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Each year Rainbow Days recognizes outstanding individuals, corporations, foundations and businesses in honor of their commitment, partnership and support to create a drug-free and promising future for children.
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| 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 co-facilitate the support groups. In addition to attending a volunteer orientation, and completing the required paperwork, 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 10-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.
 Easter Eggstravaganza - Saturday, March 27, 2010 10am-3pm
Rainbow Days' annual Easter Eggstravaganza is a family outing for over 400 homeless children and their families. This carnival-like event includes a petting zoo, face painting, a bounce house, arts and crafts, popcorn, a DJ, carnival games, and an Easter egg hunt. The Easter Bunny has also agreed to stop by for a special visit and to give each child in attendance an Easter basket at the end of the event.
Over 100 volunteers are needed to assist with this event. Lots of games and arts & crafts activities.
Time commitment 10am-3pm
**There will be a mandatory volunteer orientation for this event. For more information or to volunteer for this event, please contact Tai McLemore vie email or at 214.217.3831.
 Kids' University #1 & #2KU #1 June 7, 2010 - June 10, 2010
KU #2 June 21, 2010 - June 24, 2010
At Kids' University, the children enjoy an academic camp geared toward promoting literacy and higher education, while developing their social competency and building their self-esteem.
Throughout the week, children have the opportunity to participate in different courses including but not limited to, science, computers, juggling, painting, cooking, algebra and others - all on a college campus. The children also participate in classes taught by professionals in those fields, who are able to explain to the children about their own personal careers, and what it took to get there.
The highlight of Kids' University is the graduation ceremony at the end of the week where each child walks across the stage to receive their diploma donning a mortarboard!
Volunteers are needed for both weeks of camp, and are asked to work the full-week. For more information, please contact Tai McLemore via email or at 214-217-3831. |
| Staff Member in the Spotlight:
Kelly Wierzbinski (aka Miss Kit Kat) |
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 Kelly Wierzbinski - Family Connection Manager
Kelly Wierzbinski (AKA Miss Kit Kat) has been part of the Rainbow Days family since 1988 making her one of the organizations most seasoned employees! After hearing Cathey Brown give an inspiring talk Kelly decided to take a leap of faith and call to see if Rainbow Days had any openings. When she called, Cathey's father, a dedicated volunteer, he informed her that they did in fact have a part-time position available. At that time Kelly was one of 5 employees.
As a Board Certified Art Therapist, Kelly has a unique background that equips her to work with the children Rainbow Days, and Family Connection in particular, serves. And working so closely with children, Kelly has retained somewhat of a youthful streak that comes out every now and again. Many years ago the Family Connection team was preparing for a site visit regarding funding. The day before the site visit was to be conducted Kelly's direct supervisor reminder her and the rest of the team to be sure to "dress up." Needless to say, they were somewhat insulted at the implication that they did not know they were to wear proper business attire for such a visit, so they decided to pull a prank on their boss. The team showed up early the next morning dressed head to toe in their finest formal wear...prom dresses to be precise! In the hopes of startling their supervisor, they waited by the door to welcome her to work, but instead were greeted by Cathey Brown - who had with her the very team that was there to determine their funding. Needless to say it was a tense moment for everyone until they learned that one of the people there for the site visit was actually writing a piece about humor in the workplace and thought that the prank the Family Connection Team had pulled was priceless! Strangely enough, Kelly has never been asked to "dress up" again.
Kelly's love for the children is evident in everything she does, right down to the smallest detail. "I always introduce Rainbow Days to people by telling them that when they woke up this morning over 1,000 children woke up without a home. Rainbow Days gives hope to children that are often forgotten," says Wierzbinski. "I think we can all look back at our lives and pinpoint a person or time in our lives when we were encouraged in a deep and profound way. Often those words of encouragement are what we hold on to in order to continue to pursue our goals. I believe that is what we do for the children we serve. We give them bridges to walk across the tumultuous rivers in their lives," concludes Wierzbinski. | |
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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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