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Can We Count On You?
The anticipation of a new teacher. The smell of a new box of crayons. The feel of a new backpack. A fresh start. There is nothing like the first day of school.
Help us make the first day of school a bright one filled with possibilities for children experiencing homelessness in our community.
In partnership with Captain Hope's Kids and the Dallas Market Center, over 500 children will celebrate education, the start of the new school year and receive much needed school supplies, backpacks and uniforms at Rainbow Days' Back-to-School Celebration on August 15th.
Financial donations and donations of new school supplies and volunteers are still needed. Just $60 will help give a child the supplies they need to begin the school year prepared. Can we count on you?
Invest in our children's future TODAY with your gift!
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Rainbow Days Loses a Dear Friend
Fina Beveridge lost her 5 year fight with breast cancer on Friday, June 29th. Fina began her work at Rainbow Days in 2005 as a summer camp leader. Fina's passion for teaching was seen right away and she was soon asked to facilitate support groups for both children and parents. Fina continued to enhance our programs by sharing her spirit, skills and talents at weekend events, riding our participant transportation buses and leading Play Connection groups. As a bilingual facilitator with Aids Service of Dallas she became a role-model and inspiration to the mothers she worked with.
At a recent Kids' University, Fina worked one-on-one with two autistic children who hadn't been allowed to attend other camps due to their difficult behaviors. Fina worked patiently with them throughout the week so they were able to graduate and walk across the stage to receive their diploma! Her efforts and determination truly made a difference in the lives of these children. This is only one of many examples.
Fina's Rainbow Days' name was "Mrs. Sunkist" and never was a more appropriate name given! Being around Fina was like being touched by the warmth of the sun and loved by a dear friend. Fina will be missed greatly by her Rainbow Day's family!
In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing. We definitely lost an angel but we know Fina is looking down, not suffering anymore and dancing with new wings that have her floating in heaven's embrace.
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Annual Report Online  Check out Rainbow Days' 2010-2011 Annual Report. Special thanks to graphic designers, David Wedeberg and Joel Muskovich who donated their time and talent to create this report. |
Kids' University
Children experienced college this summer at Rainbow Days' 17th Annual Kids' University camp in partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas. Over 300 children from Dallas and Collin county homeless shelters participated in two separate weeks of our educational university-based camp. Children got a taste of college life, including a campus tour led by the Community Engagement Department at UT Dallas. Children enjoyed classes that included: pre-algebra, yoga, creative storytelling, Citizenship, nutrition, computer and a hands-on gardening class, all taught by caring community volunteers, teachers and instructors. Career classes were also provided by Susan Aguren, RN, Connie Pachicano, RN and Banita Jone, RN from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, a wellness class by Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Concepts, and a special entrepreneurship class by David Michel, CEO of Catapult Health, co-founder of WinningHabits and co-creator of the children's program, Jay Jay the Jet Plane.
 | | Board President Fred Halfpap & Dr. George Fair |
The two separate weeks of KU culminated in two very special graduation ceremonies. One featured children's entertainer, Eddie Coker, a longtime friend of Rainbow Days and current Board President, Fred Halfpap who was able to share about his involvement with Rainbow Days and the importance of giving time to your community. Please click here for a current press release with a full listing of supporters who made this camp possible.
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Camp Bravo!
"All We Need is Love"
Over 140 children residing in Dallas-area homeless and domestic violence shelters participated in Rainbow Days' Camp Bravo! # 1, July 9th - 13th, 2012. This year's production, "All We Need is Love" is a special performing arts camp inspired by classic Beatles songs, produced by Rainbow Days and hosted at Fellowship Bible Church in Dallas. Camp Bravo! concluded with a special production on Friday, July 13th where the children performed before a live audience.
Throughout the week the children created their own props, learned choreography and participated in Rainbow Days' award-winning Curriculum-Based Support Groups (CBSG ®). Other classes included Big Thought artist Lynn Moon, who taught yoga and dance, Improv Comedy with Locked OUT Comedy, and a fun interactive computer class with Cranium Kids. Other partnering sites joined in the fun as well! Mosaic Family Service's Multicultural Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Program taught videography and the children created their own Public Service Announcement on making healthy choices and Communities in Schools taught valuable Life Skills including a fun and engaging personal hygiene lesson. Camp Bravo! #2 takes place the week of July 23 - July 27. Special thanks to Fellowship Bible Church Dallas for their generosity in hosting both weeks of camp!
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The Dallas Foundation
Rainbow Days is pleased to recognize The Dallas Foundation - Elizabeth T. Robinson Fund for their generous support of the Family Connection through a $23,500 grant. This grant will be key in providing Rainbow Days' menu of supportive services to children residing in shelters in Dallas. The Dallas Foundation is the oldest community foundation in the state of Texas, and serves donors and nonprofit agencies throughout North Texas. The Dallas Foundation acts as a keystone - a link between donors and the community issues they care about. Thanks to The Dallas Foundation for your generosity, support and continued partnership!
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Summer Camp Lunch Sponsors
 Special thanks to our summer camp lunch sponsors who have provided the resources to ensure that our children have nutritious and healthy meals and snacks each day. Thank you to our major donors: Brinker International, Clif Bar, Michele Danches, Frito Lay, Holy Smokers, Little Caesar's, National Corridor League - Golden and BluebonnetChapters, Kurt Opella, Quaker, Todd & Kathy Whitthorne and Whole Foods for their generosity.
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Frito-Lay, Quaker and PepsiCo Make a Difference
 
PepsiCo and their employees continue to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the children we serve. In addition to financial donations from employees and matching gifts from PepsiCo, children's tummies have been filled with Quaker Chewy Granola bars for breakfast, and Frito-Lay chips with their sandwiches for lunch. Thank you Frito Lay and Quaker for the happy smiles you created as a result of your generous donation. Special thanks to Candace Wilson for helping make these donations possible!
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Holy Smokers
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Craig Sunderman, Mark Sunderman, Victor Trevino & Bob Stevenson and Rainbow Days' Kids
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Special thanks to the "Holy Smokers" Men's Ministry of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for creating BIG ketchup & mustard smiles during lunch time at Camp Bravo! These men swept in like Hot Dog Grill Warriors, setting up their portable grill in the parking lot of Fellowship Bible Church and grilled up 240 hot dogs with Victor Trevino's "special seasoning." The children loved their lunch and cheered loudly "THANK YOU" while several ran up and gave them hugs. One little boy proudly told them "I ate 4 hot dogs"! Thank you "Holy Smokers" for your support and kindness.
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