Rainbow Race

Description

Click Here for signup sheet

Rainbow Race
10K Run / 5K Walk
When: May 4th, 2013 at 9am
Where: John and Cindy’s, Harvest Acres Farm
425 Kingstown Rd. Richmond, RI 02892
What we stand for:The Rainbow Fund was started in memory of our daughter Cassandra Grace Duncan. She was almost 15 years old when she took her own life the day after Christmas 2005. Since her death we have learned so much about suicide and mental illness, and how so many people and their families struggle everyday to survive. The Rainbow Fund has been set up to generate funding for NAMI of Rhode Island (National Alliance on Mental Illness), in hopes of getting the word out there about how we can help so many people. We have to take the dark cloud of stigmatism and fear away from the illness and replace it with the rainbow of hope! Please find it in your heart and legs to support a cause so near to our hearts. Our Mental Wellness affects all of us, everyday!!
Sincerely, The Duncan Family
Ways to find us and sign up:Facebook.com/RainbowFund; email- HarvestAcres@cox.net; mail to: Cindy Duncan, 425 Kingstown Rd, W. Kingston, RI 02892
or www.lightboxreg.com

Learning about the importance of the Rainbow Fund
 
How you can help by sponsoring the Rainbow Race!!
                                                                                              
I, Cindy Duncan, am writing to you on behalf of the Rainbow Fund, which was founded to bring awareness to the issues of mental health, and to tell you about our second annual Rainbow Race. If you would kindly review the enclosed information for the Rainbow Fund and Race, it would be greatly appreciated.
               Today many families are facing extraordinary challenges. Stress, depression and anger are common emotions felt by many. Often these feelings are hidden and suffered in silence due to the stigma associated with mental illness. We want to bring awareness to mental issues, the more we talk about them, the more we can help others along with ourselves.
               Our family has experienced the devastating effects of mental illness first hand, and for that reason our mission is to draw back the curtain and bring in awareness and education. It is time to treat illnesses of the mind with the same aggression as illnesses of the body.
               Teaching families and individuals to recognize the signs of mental illness, giving health care professional the tools for early and effective diagnosis, and having supportive networks of advocates for patients and families are necessary to combat this disease. It has taken our family many years to navigate through the system to find the help we needed. So much more can be done to make this accessible to everyone and we are committed to helping others as we continue our own journey.
               May is Mental Health Month and the Rainbow Fund plans to have an annual event each year to bring attention to this important month. Our first fundraiser was a raffle that raised $2,300.00. Last year we had a 5K walk and 10K run titled “The Rainbow Race” along with another raffle.  The race was a huge success; we had 400 people sign up! Between the race, the raffle, and donations from kind people we raised $21,000! 
               With the money we have raised, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is doing some incredible things! It has started a program where NAMI goes out to school systems (high schools and universities) and some Hospitals in Rhode Island to talk about mental issues. Included in the program are people that have suffered some kind of mental issues in their lifetime and have learned to handle it and go on to live successful lives. Talking to younger people brings education and awareness, instead of fear and stigma! Showing others that living with mental issues, though it can be a struggle, can be handled with respect, education, and fulfillment.  As I have learned in my own life, it can be a struggle, but the struggles we have in our own lives makes us what we are!
               NAMI has also been able to bring Family-to-Family Support Groups to the South County area, and these are free to all that attend. These groups bring much needed help to loved ones of those that struggle with mental issues. As in dealing with all kinds of illness, it is important to have help, support and caring people around you!
               With our continued commitment to bringing change, we want to expand the program to the school systems in RI and also add another program called “Parent and Teachers as Allies” where we can be able to get parents, children, teachers, and specialists involved to catch problems at younger ages so everyone will benefit. 
               So much needs to done in the field of mental issues, but I feel in my heart that things are beginning to change. I know we have a long way to go, but with determination, education, and a lot of people we will make a difference.
 
                Bringing mental issues to the forefront is so very important to us, and others as well. At this time we are looking for sponsors to assist us with our event. I hope you will find it in your heart to make a donation to this very important cause.  I thank you for your time and allowing me to share my story. I look forward to your support with this very important event. If I can answer any of your questions to help you make your decision, please give me a call. My cell number is 401-741-2178.
                                                                                         
 
Donations for Rainbow Race
 
Different levels of sponsorship
 
T-Shirt
               Prices are as followed: size of print, where placed on T-shirt, business name alone or business name and logo
 
        $100.00 for the name of the business, in small print
        $250.00 for the name in bigger letters, in the middle of T-shirt
        $500.00 for the name and logo, just under top spot
        $1000.00 for top spot on T-shirt, Name and Logo
 
The amount of money that is donated will decide where your name will be on our T-shirts
    
List below of some of things needed for race   
               You can donate towards anything, any amount
 
Race Flyers, Posters and Banners
       $100.00 to $300.00
 
Refreshments
     $400.00 for food and drinks,
 
Music and other Entertainment
      $ 200.00
 
Timing of race
        $1000.00 for planning races before hand and taking care of the races (timing of) on the day of
 
Big Tent
       $200.00, we will need for coverage in case of bad weather
And of course the buying T-Shirt -about $1600.00
 
Any donations are appreciated, small or large, to make this race a success! Thank you for your help!
 
Make a Donation to the Raffle
 
   If you have a special talent or occupation you can donate to our raffle!
 
In the past here are some of our raffle items:
Quilts
Handmade Bags
Pottery
Cords of Wood
Beauty Products
Paintings
Handmade Crafts
Different Gift Baskets
Many Gift Certificates and more!