eConnection

Community Newsletter | December 2022

As a faithful friend and supporter, you are one of the blessings we give thanks for at Rainbow Days during this season of gratitude. As you read this month's issue of eConnection, we hope you see the many ways your gift is making a difference in children's lives and the exciting opportunities for involvement through the end of the year. From all of us at Rainbow Days, we hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

On Dec. 10, Rainbow Days proudly hosted our 26th annual "Saturday with Santa" Christmas event to spread hope and holiday joy for families experiencing homelessness in the Dallas community. This celebratory event hosted on the Lovers Lane United Methodist Church campus spread holiday magic by giving out stockings filled with toys, treats and essential tangible items to all family members. Approximately 500 children and parents from local homeless shelters, domestic violence centers and extended-stay motels joined us for a day of holiday fun and family bonding. Children and parents enjoyed lunch, carnival games, arts and crafts, visits with Santa Claus, a petting zoo and holiday karaoke. Parents had the opportunity to shop for larger toys for their children and have their presents gift-wrapped by volunteers. 

Rainbow Days would like to recognize all of the outstanding individuals and groups who made Saturday with Santa a success this holiday season: 

• Lovers Lane United Methodist Church 
• The Rees-Jones Foundation 
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• National Charity League 
• Young Men's Service League 
• Bank of America 
• PepsiCo / Frito-Lay 
• Toy Industry Foundation
• Toy Industry Foundation
• Dallas Bible Church

• Hearts of Servants
• Prince of Peace Catholic Church Outreach 
• Amazon Wish List Donors 

• Plus, hundreds of individuals who supported Saturday with Santa through financial gifts, in-kind donations of toys and stockings, and volunteer hours! 

Help Rainbow Days celebrate 41 years of service at our 26th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon!

We are thrilled to announce that the 2023 Pot of Gold Luncheon will be held at the Westin Galleria Dallas Hotel on May 5th, 2023. Rainbow Days’ goal is to raise $302,500 to continue providing critical services benefiting thousands of at-risk and homeless children and youth and their families across the Dallas area!

Please contact Sara Edwards, Rainbow Days' Manager of Community Relations and Events, with questions about getting involved with the 26th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon.

Rainbow Days was blessed to attend a private Thanksgiving event hosted by the Dallas Mavericks Foundation and JaVale McGee. JaVale McGee's 12th annual Thanksgiving celebration included an unforgettable day for the youth and mothers we serve as they enjoyed a delicious dinner, crafts, a tour of the Mavs facilities, and shooting hoops with JaVale. 

Dallas Mavs CEO Cynt Marshall graciously welcomed the Rainbow Days Staff and families we serve. Cynt gifted each mother a special gift basket to help them provide food and necessities this Holiday season. McGee shared that playing knockout with our children touched his heart and made him recall how much "the game of basketball can unite communities and serve as a beacon of hope."

We are thankful for fantastic role models like JaVale McGee, that can inspire and influence children. With heartfelt gratitude, THANK YOU to the Dallas Mavericks. 

'Twas just two weeks before Christmas, and Rainbow Days Community Connection team began warming children's hearts by providing small holiday gifts and cheer to over 850 children, school counselors, teachers and community leaders at 15 school and community service sites. For some of these children, it was the only Christmas tidings they received, and a little went a long way. Jack Frost finally showed his face, and the Christmas weather had begun nipping at our noses. Just in time for Community Connection's Behavioral Health Specialists, Keisha Tyler and Shamila Dubose, to serve hot chocolate and fresh popcorn to approximately 600 youth at W.E. Greiner Middle School in their Leadership Cadet Corp (LCC) elective. And then with beaming smiles. . .

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Rainbow Days Training is looking forward to virtually hosting multiple Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program Facilitator Training sessions in 2023! 

Any questions can be directed to info@rainbowdaystraining.org. You can stay up to date on the latest training news by visiting our website at www.rainbowdaystraining.org. Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter while you're there!

Online registration is NOW open:

We believe that offering the Curriculum-Base Support Groups provides an opportunity for our students to be empowered with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to face the challenges life presents them. The power of the relationships, not only with peers, but with caring adults, makes a huge impact on our students. The Rainbow Days curriculum is so easy to use. To have an evidence-based curriculum that is user-friendly, yet so impactful and engaging for students, has been a huge blessing. Suzanne Tsatsoulas, Director of Prevention Programming – Richardson Independent School District

On behalf of the entire Rainbow Days team, we are immensely grateful for the impact you have made this year through your support of our organization and the children, families and communities we serve. Will you please consider making a financial gift this holiday season to help us best serve our community's children, youth and families?

Fill a Stocking | $25

Sponsor a child to receive a stocking filled with toys, winter wear and holiday treats.

Give Christmas Joy | $100

Provide the opportunity for a family of four living in a local homeless shelter to attend a special family outing away from the shelter to make special holiday memories.

The Gift of Education | $150

Cover the expenses for one child to participate in an eight-week, classroom-based educational program where local elementary school children learn about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use as well as how to resist negative peer pressure.

Sponsor a Support Group | $250

Give a child the opportunity to participate in a 10-week Rainbow Days Curriculum-Based Support Group where they will learn how to resist negative peer pressure, cope with difficult situations and make healthy choices.

The More the Merrier | $1,000

Underwrite the cost for a child to participate in a year of Rainbow Days programming, including support groups, mentored activities, summer camps and tangible items to meet basic needs.

Your gift will make the holidays bright for the children we serve!