Pictured above: Erin Gruwell, featured speaker; Terry and Donna Saad, Luncheon Chairs
Rainbow Days recently hosted its 27th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon, bringing together 500 enthusiastic supporters and guests and raising $274,500 for the Dallas-based non-profit which provides critical supportive services for children and youth.
Erin Gruwell was the keynote speaker. 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.
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 Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank. Erin’s inspirational message of hope and healing resonated deeply with Rainbow Days’ audience, emphasizing the profound influence of one adult in changing a child’s life trajectory.
Tiffany Beaudine, CEO of Rainbow Days, addressed the audience with remarks about the critical challenges children in our community are facing and how Rainbow Days services provide hope. Beaudine reflected on the mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and food insecurity problems that children and youth are facing and how Rainbow Days tackle these issues with services that provide coping skills and resiliency to build a brighter future. She encouraged the audience that “with partnership, we can be a light “for these children.
The luncheon started with a spectacular performance from current Rainbow Days program participants from a local shelter. Local musician Tony Ballard composed an original song for the performance inspired by the famous song,“Lean On Me” by Bill Withers. Additionally, Beckett Potter, a 12-year-old dual credit high school student and Rainbow Days volunteer gave a heartfelt invocation which inspired guests with a message of supporting underserved children in our community.
The success of the 2024 Pot of Gold Luncheon would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the Luncheon Committee members, including Chairs Donna and Terry Saad, and Auction Chairs Abby Waterstreet and Amy McCarrick.
Rainbow Days recognizes the donors who helped make the 2024 Pot of Gold Luncheon a success. Featured here are sponsor levels “Silver” and above:
- Title: Nancy Ann & Ray L. Hunt
- Platinum Sponsors: Heather & Eric Appel, Miramar Equity Partners, and Darla & Mark Whitaker
- Luncheon Arrangement Sponsor: Bragalone Olejko Saad
- Gold Sponsors: Katie & Netesh Anand, Citi, Jill & Dale Hurd, Alyssa & Kurt Opella, The Invitation Project, Thompson Coburn LLP and Vaquero Private Wealth.
- Silver Sponsors: Beth & Brad Bedell, Phyllis & John Horan, Mary Jo & James McKellar, National Life Group, Francisco Ramos & Irma Hinojosa, Telisa Schelin & Rebecca Massiatte, and Weaver.
- Media Sponsor: GoodLifeFamilyMag.com
ABOUT RAINBOW DAYS: The 27th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon benefited Rainbow Days, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1982, Rainbow Days has a mission to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. Through support groups, life enrichment programs, and critical needs services, Rainbow Days makes meaningful connections with at-risk and homeless children and youth and has positively impacted more than 262,000 kids in the Dallas area to date.
For more information, please visit RainbowDays.org or call (214) 887-0726.
