While Dallas CASA‘s Cherish the Children and Grant Halliburton Foundation‘s Beacon Of Hope luncheons were taking place over at the Dallas Omni Hotel, Rainbow Days‘ Pot Of Gold was striking gold at the Westin Galleria with The Freedom Writers’ Erin Gruwell as the keynote speaker on Friday, April 19. And once again Erin’s personality and story were showstoppers netting more than $174,000. Here’s a report from the field:
With 500 dedicated friends and supporters in attendance, Rainbow Days’ recent Pot of Gold Luncheon soared to great heights, marking a monumental milestone in its 42-year history of service. Held on Friday, April 19, at the Westin Galleria, the event was a great success, rallying passionate individuals to support critical programs and services that help children rise above adversity.
Luncheon Co-Chairs Donna and Terry Saad were joined by Silent Auction Co-Chairs Abby Waterstreet and Amy McCarrick; Rainbow Days Inc. CEO Tiffany Beaudine and Founder Cathey Brown; Board President Beth Bedell and her husband Brad Bedell and VP David Elliott; 2023 Luncheon Co-Chairs Katie Anand and Brittany and Caleb Bachelor; and Jennifer and Jody Bishop, Phyllis and John Horan, Mary Jo McKellar, Alyssa and Kurt Opella, Francisco Ramos and Irma Hinojosa, Darla and Mark Whitaker, Lilly Coe, Wendy McMullen and more.
The celebration kicked off with an exceptional performance by Rainbow Days program participant Tony Ballard, who led the children of Rainbow Days and the audience in a singalong of “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers that stole the audience’s heart and focused everyone on the event’s purpose.
In opening remarks by the chairs, they said, “The children are the star performers of Rainbow Days,” thanking the children for their delightful performance and also thanking sponsors, including title sponsors Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, their hard-working committee and the board.
A highlight was the invocation by Beckett Potter, a young Rainbow Days volunteer and avid supporter, followed by the luncheon. Beth Bedell took the podium saying that in reality, it does take a village to accomplish Rainbow Days’ goals and every day the teachers, volunteers, community and school leaders, are crucial to their success. A moving video gave insight into the reality faced by Rainbow Days and the children they serve daily, including homelessness, crime, hunger, anger and depression. It shed light on Rainbow Days’ programs and highlighted participant’s stories that showcase the troublesome real-life circumstances that children and youth in our community are facing and how Rainbow Days is the solution.
CEO Tiffany brought two children, who are best friends and met at Rainbow Days, on the stage and they shared their hopes for the future, remarked about how they learn to help each other every day and how much they look forward to the time they get to experience the vital programs offered by Rainbow Days. They said they experience joy and hope, saying they will be forever friends. They learn how to be kind, support each other, deal with adversity and love experiencing all of the fun programs and activities.
Phenomenal keynote speaker Erin Gruwell is a teacher, author, and activist who first gained national attention in 1998 when she and her 150 students appeared on an ABC special PrimeTime Live. Erin’s students, called the Freedom Writers, came from backgrounds of poverty, gangs, and violence, and many were at risk of dropping out of school due to the school-to-prison pipeline. But, under Erin’s guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education.
In 1999, Erin and the Freedom Writers published their book, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” which detailed their unique journey from hardship to hope. The book became a #1 New York Timesbestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank.
Erin’s inspirational message of hope resonated deeply with Rainbow Days’ audience, emphasizing the profound influence of one adult in changing a child’s life trajectory. Her genuine passion for mentoring and empowering young minds was palpable as she interacted with Rainbow Days program participants, inviting them to autograph copies of her book, “The Freedom Writers Diary.”
For over four decades, Rainbow Days has been a beacon of hope, dedicated to supporting the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of vulnerable children and youth across the Dallas community. Central to Rainbow Days mission is the acclaimed CBSG® Program, a curriculum empowering children and youth to cultivate essential coping, self-management, and decision-making skills.
Additionally, Rainbow Days offers a myriad of supportive services, including behavioral health presentations, alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention, mental health fairs, summer camps, holiday events, a food program, and more. These services allow children experiencing homelessness to experience educational and fun opportunities while building relationships with caring adult mentors. Most of all, Rainbow Days program participants get the chance to just be kids.
Rainbow Days is grateful for the opportunity to gather together and draw inspiration from Erin’s unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, and the transformation of students’ lives.
For those unable to attend the luncheon, we invite you to experience Rainbow Days’ impact through this video. To learn more about our mission and how you can make a difference, visit RainbowDays.org today!
* Photo credits: Rob Wythe