The Tuscarawas Society for Children & Adults Inc., better known as Rainbow Connection, is providing support to a range of community and school projects across Tuscarawas County this summer.
Among the recipients are the Newcomerstown Historical Society, Lacey PAC Adaptive Movement Center, Tuscora Park, Newcomerstown Schools and Starlight Enterprises.
“I get asked a lot, ‘How many people benefit from Rainbow Connection’s support each year?’ And it’s an impossible answer,” Executive Director Perci Garner said. “We can calculate the number of individuals who apply and receive assistance. That number is easy. But where do you begin with these larger community projects that benefit not only Tuscarawas County residents, but often those who visit?”
Recent project awards include the following:
—Newcomerstown Historical Society: $15,985 for construction of a handicap-accessible ramp at the Temperance Tavern Museum.
—Starlight Enterprises: $30,684 for purchase of a new handicap-accessible van.
—Lacey PAC Adaptive Movement Center: $1,249 for creation of a sensory room.
—Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools: $1,072.95 for the purchase of sensory equipment and creation of sensory spaces.
“The term sensory can be vast and overwhelming to parents and caregivers,” said Christopher Lipinski, Newcomerstown EVSD director of special education. “We hope that in creating sensory spaces within our classroom and building, we will also be able to share some ideas with parents and caregivers that can be implemented at home in a cost-effective way. A team approach is always most effective when working with students with complex needs.”
In addition to these new awards, the handicap-accessible train project at Tuscora Park was completed earlier this summer. Rainbow Connection previously contributed more than $115,000 toward the train and related facility upgrades. The updated train cars now include front seats that allow for wheelchair transfer, and a new structure was built to ensure safe entry and departure.
At its June and July board meetings, Rainbow Connection approved nearly $68,000 in additional assistance to local residents, nonprofits and schools. To date, the organization has distributed more than $159,000 of the $352,503.13 raised during its March 2025 Telethon.
“The ongoing support from our community allows us to provide these improvements in addition to the aid we give to individuals,” Garner said. “Both types of assistance have huge impact, but these large-scale gifts that benefit the entire community ensure that the contributions we receive directly support as many Tuscarawas County residents as possible.”
To apply for assistance with health or medical expenses, visit www.tuscrainbow.org or call 330-343-8686.
