Brokers Painting Rainbows
GAMP's Workday at Rainbow Village
by Luanne Cruse
As GAMP Legal Counsel and Rainbow Village Workday Chair, Loretta Salzano is on top of things. |
Sticking to the task at hand, Rainbow Village Sponsors painted their own sponsor signs in addition to the house. |
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GAMP volunteers literally painted up a storm on April 24 at their first charitable event of the year but, fortunately, it was only a slight drizzle. It would have taken much more to dampen the volunteers' spirits as they whitewashed walls for Rainbow Village, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for families in "domestic or economic crisis." Comprised of two communities in Norcross and Duluth, the charity offers a "holistic approach" for the homeless, providing the necessary assistance and resources for families to stay together in transitional housing while becoming self sufficient. In addition to shelter, residents receive help with health care, education, employment, and financial counseling. Rainbow Village families must meet several criteria in order to be accepted. The adult must be working and have transportation, all members of the family must be drug and alcohol free, and all school-age children must attend school. Once admitted, each family sets up a savings account through Rainbow Village and is required to pay a portion of home utility bills, meets regularly with a personal case manager, abides by the rules for living in the village, and attends life skills classes at Catherine's Place, a Rainbow Village community center.
Jim Somers, who created GAMP's Charitable Events Committee at the beginning of his term as president in January, was interested in finding housing-related projects for the association to support. Since GAMP's legal counsel, Loretta Salzano, serves on the Rainbow Village Board of Directors, selecting Rainbow Village as the committee's first charitable project of 2003 was an easy choice. A number of association members and their companies answered the call to participate in GAMP's Rainbow Village Workday, a few through financial support and others by volunteering to paint and organize the event. Loretta agreed to chair the Rainbow Village Workday, and Claire Payne of Commonwealth Land Title assisted Loretta with arrangements and solicited sponsorships.
When the Workday arrived, GAMP volunteers were primed and ready to roll with paint and supplies provided by The Chalker Firm, while hot coffee and donuts from Commonwealth Land Title took the edge off the early morning chill. Lisa McCorvey, assisted by three-month old Max McCorvey, manned the volunteer check-in table. Beth Heffernan and Eric Matos organized the hand-painting of sponsor signs. When the volunteers were ready to lay down their brushes for a midday break, Guaranty Residential Lending picked up the tab for lunch from Honey Baked Ham, and Magnolia Bakery provided cookies and iced tea. Throughout the day, volunteers were treated to bottled water by First American Title, and soft drinks by Morris & Schneider. Jimmy Denton memorialized the day by having t-shirts made, Carl Tune snapped pictures to document the event, and "Dr." Jim Hope made a house call, standing by with a first aid kit in case of emergency. By the end of the day, the painting was complete and GAMP's volunteers proudly scrutinized their work and pronounced the day a success.
There is no doubt that the families of Rainbow Village have suffered through a storm, and yet it is equally certain that they have landed, like Dorothy and Toto, in a special place that is full of promise. Though a few coats of white paint cannot blot out a family's unspeakable past, it can certainly help the family begin a fresh, clean start toward a better life that hovers somewhere over the rainbow. The GAMB Charitable Events Committee sends a special thanks to the organizers, volunteers and sponsors of this event, whose efforts have aided Rainbow Village in providing a spectrum of hope for families in crisis.
Rainbow Village, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that is open to all without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age or physical handicap. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. If you are interested in making a contribution or finding out more about volunteer opportunities, call 770-497-2361 or visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
Claire Payne of Commonwealth Land Title unpacks lunch for the volunteers, which was sponsored by Guaranty Residential Lending. |
Smilin' K.C. Hagemann, construction professional and husband of Laura Hagemann of HomeWise Financial Services, happily volunteers his expert services. |
In a brush with fate, Joanna Jones of Commonwealth Land Title and Linda Cox of SouthStar Funding find themselves tackling the dreaded windowpane trim. |
Guaranty Residential Lending's Drew Davis and Erin Howard rock 'n roll. |
Everything pans out for volunteer Eric Matos of SouthStar Funding. |
Jim Hope of I.C.S., Inc. makes a run for more supplies. |
Hot coffee and donuts, sponsored by Commonwealth Land Title, helped take the edge off of a chilly morning. |
Beth Heffernan of SouthStar Funding, the event's "Sponsor Sign Queen." |
Jamie Eidson of Guaranty Residential and some of the volunteers take a break for lunch. |
Showing off one of the Rainbow Village t-shirts, which were contributed by Jimmy Denton of Homeowners Mortgage. |
Volunteer Debra Ingram of SouthStar Funding knows that paint won't stick unless the surface is clean. |
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