‘Press Releases’
The Rainbow Connection Receives Top Rating from Charity Navigator
Rochester, Mich. – The Rainbow Connection (TRC) today announced that they have been awarded the coveted 4-star “Exceptional” rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading independent charity evaluator. The designation means that TRC exceeds industry standards for financial health, accountability and transparency, and outperforms most charities in its cause.
“Receiving the highest rating available from one of the nation’s leading independent charity evaluators is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of our staff to our donors,” said TRC’s executive director, Mary Grace McCarter. “We work hard to maximize every donation we receive towards making dreams come true for Michigan children facing life-threatening illnesses and providing emergency support for their families.”
Since its inception in 1985, TRC has served over 2,500 critically-ill children and their families across Michigan. Unlike many other wish-granting organizations, TRC stays with a child and their family beyond fulfillment of the child’s wish, providing additional “wish extension” opportunities and critical assistance to the families facing unexpected hardships or financial difficulties brought on by the catastrophic illness of their child.
“The solitude experienced by a child or a family member can be crushing at times during treatment for a life-threatening illness,” explained McCarter. “We are there for the family before and after the wish. We remain connected with the child and family providing support and a listening ear. That kind of support mandates sound fiscal responsibility to ensure that every dollar received from our donor community is used to its fullest potential for the wish child and family. This Charity Navigator ranking serves to further ensure our donors that their money is indeed well spent.”
About The Rainbow Connection
Founded in 1985 by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in memory of his best friend and two children who died in a plane crash, The Rainbow Connection makes dreams come true for Michigan children with life threatening illnesses and provides emergency support to the family. From something as simple as a new computer to meeting the President of the United States at the White House, to the most requested wish of all, a trip to Disney World, The Rainbow Connection has made dreams come true for over 2,500 children. To learn more about The Rainbow Connection or to donate to make dreams come true for kids across Michigan, go to rainbowconnection.org or call 248-601-9474.
33rd Annual Dobson a huge success!
The 33rd Dobson Open yesterday proved to be the most successful one-day fundraiser for The Rainbow Connection, with the golf tournament, dinner and silent auction bringing in a record of more than $172,000. The charity founded by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to make dreams come true for Michigan children with life-threatening medical conditions also had a sellout, with 260 people attending the festivities.
Executive Director Mary Grace McCarter said the Dobson event on Monday, July 30, raised at least $50,000 more than ever before.
“The Rainbow Connection fulfills the wishes of seriously ill children because of the generosity of individuals like those that attended the Dobson Open on Monday,” said Patterson, who hosted the event. “However, we need that support to continue. I encourage others help us make more dreams come true by walking in The Rainbow Connection walks in August and September.”
Auction items included a University of Michigan football tailgating package, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings party suites, gift certificates to Michigan restaurants featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and a Kid Rock Ultimate Fan Basket, among other items.
The Dobson Open was first held in August 1980 to honor the memories of the three members of the Dobson family who were killed in a private plane crash. The Rainbow Connection evolved from the Dobson Open fundraiser. The Rainbow Connection has fulfilled more than 2,400 dreams for seriously ill Michigan children between the ages of 30 months and 18 years.
The Rainbow Connection’s Title Sponsors are Walmart, Sam’s Club and Prudential Retirement.
“Quake on the Lake” to host National Inboard Hydroplane Championships
Pontiac, MI, April 11, 2011 – This summer’s 12th annual “Quake on the Lake” will host one of the nation’s premier boat races – the 2011 National Inboard Hydroplane Championships.
Members of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) recently held their national meeting in Dearborn, Michigan, where they decided to return the hydroplane championships to Michigan after 42 years. The last time the National Inboard Hydroplane Championships were held in Michigan was at Ford Lake near Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1969.
“‘Quake on the Lake’ is among Oakland County’s best quality of life events,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “To host the National Inboard Hydroplane Championships validates what a great event ‘Quake on the Lake’ is.”
“Quake on the Lake” is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in White Lake and Waterford townships. The racecourse at Pontiac Lake is recognized as the fastest one-mile racecourse in North America. Since the “Quake on the Lake’s” inception 11 years ago, 17 world speed records have been broken in 10 classes of inboard hydroplanes.
This year’s hydroplane racing will feature classes that will run from 90 miles per hour to those that approach 175 miles per hour in the straight-aways. The Eastern Divisional Championships were held at Pontiac Lake in 2009 and over 100 race teams attended from across North America.
The best part of “Quake on the Lake” remains the same – raising money for charity. Event producers, the Oakland County Community Club, have given over $100,000 to various charities. Once again this year, all Quake On The Lake net proceeds will benefit The Rainbow Connection, a 501(c)(3) charity founded by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson that grants wishes to Michigan children with terminal or life threatening illnesses as well as support other community grass-root initiatives.
In addition to the high-speed action on the water, there will be loads of family entertainment for all ages including musical entertainment from national and local acts. Last year’s lineup included Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, along with Night Ranger and the Tubes.
For more information, click on www.QuakeOnTheLake.org. For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Media and Communications Officer, at (248) 858-1048.
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A Tragedy Remembered
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rochester, Mich., July 9, 2010 — It seems like just yesterday that Elwyn and Helen Dobson from Vassar received the phone call that every parent dreads. It was May 9, 1980 and the police were calling with bad news.
Their son, Ron Dobson, his wife Janet, and their two children, Tim and Jennifer, were traveling on Ron’s private airplane to a wedding in Canada. Tragedy struck. Ron’s oil pump on the plane froze up, and the plane crashed. Ron and the children had been killed and Janet was not likely to live. Read more »
