Over the Rainbow
Pot of Gold Luncheon moves charitable crowd in more ways than one
The 16th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon for Rainbow Days, an organization that helps high-risk children stay drug free and overcome adversity, sent us straight back to childhood — when Lucky Charms cereal had us wondering if there was actually a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Children’s entertainer Eddie Coker and kids from Rainbow Days opened the Hilton Anatole affair with a performance so lively that almost all 500 attendees hopped out of their seats to dance.
After working up a healthy appetite, guests — including Mary Jo and James McKellar, Judy Moore, Gil Pitts, Lauren and Todd Whitthorne, Wade Brown, and Lisa Bys — made their way back to their chairs and settled in for an elegant lunch.
As they dined, Sheryl Adkins, honorary chair and CMO of Mary Kay, talked about Mary Kay’s 50th anniversary theme, “One Woman Can,” and related it to the original dream of Rainbow Days founder and CEO Cathey Brown: to impact the lives of high-risk children. Today, her dream helps 15,000 children a year.
Inspired supporters listened as Brown announced the launch of the Trans4m Center, an innovative training center that partners with organizations in the human service, education and criminal justice fields to improve the knowledge and skills of the Rainbow Days staff. Before leaving the stage, she reiterated “unspoken thoughts of a child” — devastating and lonely thoughts that Rainbow Days has worked tirelessly to transform.
Later, more than 50 donors who’ve given to the organization for the past five years were recognized for their generosity.
“This year’s event was a team effort,” said luncheon co-chairs Carriea Flowers and Dr. Michele Williams. “On behalf of the entire luncheon committee, we all feel privileged for the opportunity to help an incredible organization like Rainbow Days continue its important work with the children and youth in our community.”
From the unforgettable musical intro to the heartfelt speeches to the honoring of the donors, this luncheon may have been the most impactful yet. There’s no doubt that Rainbow Days is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for these kids.