Simply put, without our donors, The Rainbow Connection (TRC) would not be what it is today. Every act of kindness, every service and every dollar sets off its own series of unforeseen ripples. TRC is grateful to be supported by so many passionate, cause-driven donors and volunteers committed to granting wishes for Michigan children with life threatening medical conditions.

Our supporters give hope to wish children like Riley, who wished for a hot tub. On World Gratitude Day, TRC is sharing her story as a representation of the impact our donors and volunteers have on our mission.

Her dad shares the impact of Riley’s wish, “When we first told Riley she was eligible for a gift from The Rainbow Connection, she didn’t think it was real. Frankly, neither did I. It was really unique to watch a twelve year old little girl logically work through the decision process. She finally decided she wanted a hot tub. We asked her why she did not want a trip and she said, “A trip is great but you have to wait a long time for it and when it’s over it is gone. A hot tub lasts forever and everyone can enjoy it.

I remember the day we told Riley her wish was granted by TRC. She was in the middle of a rough chemotherapy treatment. She was physically drained and her spirits were low. When we told Riley her wish was granted, her entire face lit up and the color came back to her face. She was in disbelief and as we watched her fall asleep her smile stayed right on her beautiful face.

Riley spent, and this is not an exaggeration, the entire weekend in the hot tub! We call it “Riley’s Oasis” and she was so excited and happy. At one point, she had twenty Barbie dolls swimming with her in the hot tub.

We are back in the hospital this week for more chemotherapy and yes, it is rough. But the fact that she has “Riley’s Oasis” when she gets home is one of the biggest things keeping her going.”

These wonderful and unforgettable experiences like Riley’s would not be possible if not for the kind hearted donors and volunteers that make the magic of granting wishes possible. Thank YOU for your commitment to our wish children and making dreams come true – we couldn’t do this without you!

[Rochester, Michigan, June 26, 2019] – The Rainbow Connection announces a new partnership with Guernsey Farms Dairy.  As part of the partnership, The Rainbow Connection logo will appear on all Guernsey products, including their world-famous chocolate milk and 31 flavors of ice cream.  Messaging alongside the logo will encourage customers to learn more about the Michigan children’s charity.  Together, these two companies have over 100 years of experience serving Michigan families.

Executive Director, George Miller shares, “The Rainbow Connection is honored to be chosen as the charity of choice by the Guernsey family. This is an outstanding opportunity for us to spread our mission across the state and we are privileged to be attached to such an amazing operation!”

Since 1940, Families across Michigan have enjoyed Guernsey’s tasty dairy products, from their award-winning milk to their distinctive ice cream.

Guersey Farms Dairy was built on the foundation of quality and commitment to creating excellent products, but the founders also believed in actively participating with the local community. One way Guernsey maintains that involvement is through this partnership with the Rainbow Connection.

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The Rainbow Connection is a 501(c)3 Michigan non-profit dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children battling life-threatening medical conditions.  Since 1985, The Rainbow Connection has granted over 3500 wishes to brave children right here in our community.  Granting wishes is a way of providing families the opportunity to share a positive experience together, making lasting memories along the way and providing hope for a brighter future.  Our Enhancement and Special Response programs make us ‘more than a wish’ wrapping the family in an umbrella of care because we know families in crises need specialized support.

Years ago, a colleague brought Ryan Giacolone to the Dobson Open golf outing for the first time. Soon after he learned about how The Rainbow Connection helped Michigan children, Ryan knew he had found a mission he believed in. A father of four himself, Ryan understands the importance of family.

“Children are my passion.  My kids are my passion. So I found an organization that serves other children and it really struck home for me.  One of the most important things when you serve is that you’ve got to find a mission you believe in, or else you’re never going to be committed to it,” Ryan said.

In addition to volunteering for many years, Ryan has served on the Finance committee, as Vice President, and currently serves as President of the Executive Board.

Ryan’s enduring passion for football inspired him to sponsor a wish for another dedicated fan. Austin’s wish was to come face-to-face with the Seattle Seahawks players, and Ryan excitedly stepped up to sponsor the trip. After Austin returned, Ryan received a photo of Austin in the locker room, beaming with pride, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with NFL star, Russell Wilson. This photo serves as a reminder to Ryan that he helped to put a smile on Austin’s face, and the faces of his family members, during a very challenging time.

“When a child is fighting a life-threatening illness, the struggle extends far beyond the child to the family, siblings, and parents,” Ryan said.  He feels that the Wish experience is truly a whole-family experience.  “That’s what really means a lot to me.  It’s not just that child [who experiences delight, but rather] the whole family experiences relief for a period of time, and they just get to enjoy some happiness.”

The Arab American News – Posted Thursday, July 7th 2019 by Hassan Abbas

Rochester – Since its inception in 1985, Rochester based charity organization Rainbow Connection has made wishes come true for thousands of children with life threatening medical conditions in Michigan.

The charity began when Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson organized a memorial golf outing to raise scholarship funds in honor of victims of a tragic plane crash.

The organization has since ballooned out into a state-wide charity that grants wishes to between 150 and 160 children a year…

Click here to read more!

The Rainbow Connection Office is so excited to unveil our brand new wish wall! It features all of the brave wish children who we have granted wishes for this year, or who will receive their wishes in the future! Jackson Architectural Metals created and donated the newly renovated wall to our TRC office.

On the right hand side, every child who has received a wish since January 2019 is pictured.

At the beginning of February, 5 year old Hendrick’s wish finally came true after a long journey with Leukemia. Hendrick had been patiently waiting to meet Mickey Mouse and see the magic that all of the Orlando theme parks had to offer – his dream came true last month! He and his parents stayed at the exclusive Give Kids The World resort and created some once in a lifetime memories together! Hendrick’s favorite part of his wish trip was the Curious George Fun Center at Universal Studios. As you can see from the joy on his face, it was an incredible trip!

The left side of the Wish Wall features all the children that have been referred to TRC but haven’t received their wish yet. If there is a star next to their picture, like 15 year old Brandon’s, the wish is booked and ready to happen! Brandon is from Saginaw and was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphona. He wishes to travel to Atlantis with his family. Nancy, his Wish Coordinator, has his trip booked for the beginning of June!

TRC does not have a waiting list – so when a child is ready for their wish, our Wish Department is ready to make it happen. Sometimes wish children are waiting because they are going through treatment or because they want their wish to coincide with a special event – like their birthday! Jada’s wish is to celebrate her 13th birthday with her family in Disney World!

At The Rainbow Connection, our focus is on these wish children and their families, each child’s special wish and our ability to make them come true. Once-in-a-lifetime wishes give children the ability to dream the impossible! Since we began this mission, no child in need of a wish has ever been turned away or made to wait. Our wish is to provide hope, memories, laughter and something to look forward to for our wish children.

To learn more about our mission, services and how you can get involved with TRC, visit one of our FREE “Get Rainbow Connected” monthly tours! The next tour is Tuesday, April 16th at 9:00 am. Click here to sign-up. 

The Rainbow Connection’s Wish Coordinator Kristen McKelvey joined Bishop Kelley students, like first-grader Atticus Yaros and former Rainbow Connection Wish receiver Eli Anglebrandt, Thursday to learn the result of the school’s penny wars fundraiser. Photo by Nicholas PuglieseLAPEER — In June, Eli Anglebrandt will be five years cancer free.

By: Alex Szwarc | Macomb Township Chronicle | Published February 18, 2019

The Rainbow Connection announced two milestones earlier this month.

The first is that Elliana Moore, of Macomb Township, who goes by Ellie, became the 3,500th The Rainbow Connection Wish Child. Second, Ellie’s wish to visit Disney World is being sponsored by former wish recipient and 15-year cancer survivor Nadine Bazzi.

Read more here!

Rob Bava raised his bidder paddle high as a surprise to his wife when the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” package hit the auction block at the 2018 Dream Makers Ball. This phenomenal item, donated by the Somerset Collection Tiffany and Company and Lavdas Limousine, included a private breakfast and shopping experience for five lucky individuals.

“I knew right away I wanted it to be a gift to my wife and three daughters,” shares Rob just before he raised a glass toasting his beautiful family.

Thanks to Lavdas, the Bava family arrived to the event in a limousine.  Breakfast was served in the center of the Tiffany & Company store. Plum Market catered the breakfast and served the same menu as the Blue Box Café in New York. The guests even got to select a piece of jewelry to wear while they dined!

Following breakfast, Rob and his family had a private shopping experience. The ladies tried on every jewel that caught their eye and spent the morning draped in diamonds! As they were preparing to leave, the Tiffany staff surprised the family with individual gifts from the new Tiffany & Company china line.

Thanks to Tiffany and Company, Plum Market and Lavdas Limousine the Bava family created memories they will cherish for a lifetime.

Don’t miss out on amazing items like this!  Tickets are on sale NOW for the 2019 Dream Makers Ball, May 11 at MGM Grand Detroit.