| Red Ribbon Week
The Community Connection team helped 16 elementary, middle, and high schools in Dallas, Duncanville, Plano, and Rockwall ISDs celebrate Red Ribbon Week by educating 6,266 students and faculty on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through 119 presentations. Statistics on substance abuse show that lifetime alcohol abuse is greatest for youth who begin drinking at the age of 14 and 90% of adult smokers started when they were kids. Statistics like these speak to the value of prevention education. Students and teachers were given the opportunity to pledge their commitment to make healthy choices and stay alcohol and drug-free.
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Art with a Heart for Your Room
The children of New Beginnings and Nexus enjoyed a day away from their shelters with Rainbow Days' and Tosha Cooper at Bishop Lynch High School in November for a special Art with a Heart Event. Tosha has been a longtime supporter of Rainbow Days with a big heart for helping the homeless children we serve. She always goes above and beyond what is expected and has helped the Family Connection Program for every school and Girl Scout service requirement she has been given. Her most noteworthy contribution was starting a Club Fair at Bishop Lynch, in which she organized bake sales, dress down days & supply drives and then donated all proceeds to Rainbow Days. Tosha sees her service as an investment into the children's future - she helps the children see that there are caring people in the world that want to see them succeed! Tosha decided that a special way to end her Girl Scout career was to provide a day for homeless children to have the opportunity to create a "home of their own" even though they may not have a permanent residence.
Tosha's event didn't disappoint! Upon arriving, the children had their picture taken and printed so it could be displayed in their own decorated frame. Then, the children decorated and individualized their own pillow cases, canvas bags, shower caddies, t-shirts and flip flops. In between the activities, children were able to watch a high school volleyball game (some for the very first time) and hear the announcer on the football field. It was exciting for the children to aspire to team sports at the high school level. The children went home with arm loads of things to decorate their rooms and make their space their very "own". Thank you Tosha for making this day so special for the children we serve!
If you are interested in completing your Girl Scout Gold Award or your Eagle Scout Award, please feel free to contact Kelly Wierzbinski at 214.217.3817 for an interview. |
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Santa is Coming to Town
Calling all of Santa's elves to spread holiday cheer. It's hard to believe that our annual Saturday with Santa event for children and families residing in shelters is just around the corner. We need your help providing all of the goodies needed to stuff 500 stockings! Click here for the full list of stocking stuffers needed. All donations needed by November 18th. Help us make the holidays special for families in need in our community!
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Homeless Walk
Children and families from Rainbow Days' Family Connection program participated in the 5th annual Help the Homeless Walk & 5K event this past Saturday, November 12th at Fair Park. The Walk-a-thon was coordinated by the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance to raise financial support for The Bridge, a multi-purpose homeless assistance shelter, and kicked-off Hunger and Homeless Awareness have a total of Week in Dallas November 11th-17th.
Rainbow Days was excited to support this event by bringing program participants from two Dallas shelters to walk alongside Family Connection staff and volunteers. Thereafter, the children and families enjoyed a variety of activities including games and face painting. Thirty-two extraordinarily talented volunteer face-painters from Rainbow Days used their creativity to put smiles on the faces of the young and old alike! Rainbow Days would also like to thank all of our dedicated volunteers that helped with the event including volunteers from Hockaday, NCL Golden Corridor and our very special friend, "Rosie" the Therapy Dog and her "mom" Michele Danches.
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Drug Fact
 According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, 12- to 17-year olds who smoke are more than five times likelier to drink and 13 times likelier to use marijuana than nonsmokers. To find out more about proven, effective approaches to prevention visit CASA's website.
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| Thank you Mooyah!
Following the Homeless Walk Mooyah Burger at Northwest Highway and Hillcrest gave Rainbow Days' children and families, staff, and volunteers ample space to relax, laugh, and bond with one another. A very special Thank-you to Drew Hollingshead, General Manager of Mooyah, Store #121, 6713 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Texas who opened his arms wide to the cause and to our families. He provided meals to all of our families, volunteers and staff. |
TI Gift Cards
 Texas Instruments Day of Caring spreads the joy of Christmas for Rainbow Days families this year!
Rainbow Days is grateful to Texas Instruments for their generous support of their "in-kind" drive that raised over $2,000 dollars for Family Connection's Saturday with Santa event. Gur Mathur lead the TI employees in a Day of Caring Volunteer Project where volunteers helped with preparations for the event which will be held at Eastfield College this year. Thank you TI for making Christmas wishes come true and for your support of Rainbow Days mission to inspire hope.
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Redman Foundation
Rainbow Days is pleased to extend appreciation to the Redman Foundation for their generous grant of $10,000 in support of Faith Connection. The Redman Foundation's support will help hundreds of children we serve at faith-based shelter sites to have weekly support groups and the opportunity to participate in a variety of other special activities. Thank you Redman Foundation for your partnership and support!
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SAVE THE DATE!
The 2012 Pot of Gold Luncheon presented by AT&T will take place on Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Hilton Anatole.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Rainbow Days' 30th Anniversary! Sponsorships, tables, and individual seats are on sale now! Download your Pot of Gold Luncheon Sponsor Pack here.
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