Rainbow Connection sets telethon fundraising record

During the March 8 telethon, the Tuscarawas Society for Children & Adults, better known as Rainbow Connection, broke its fundraising record, raising more than $368,000 to help area disabled and disadvantaged individuals and the schools and organizations that serve them.

“Every dollar raised through our telethon and auction exclusively supports those requesting assistance from our organization,” Executive Director Perci Garner said. “The support we receive every year is proof that Tuscarawas County is full of people who care about their neighbors.”

“We’ve seen a substantial increase in our casework,” Garner said. “The outpouring of support from our community and their ability to dig deeper and give more year after year is overwhelming.”

Garner has been hosting the telethon and serving as the agency’s executive director since December 2020, raising nearly $1.9 million for the agency since then. Total donations during Garner’s tenure are:

2026 — $368,538.07

2025 — $352,503.13

2024 — $328,091.66

2023 — $306,580.30

2022 — $269,546.00

2021 — $272,263.77

The five-hour fundraiser at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, featured many community guests and organizations, including Julie Adelman from ECOESC, presenting equipment from the Tuscarawas County Lending Library for Related Service Providers. Rainbow Connection assisted in the creation of this library of medical equipment and assistive and sensory devices available to all Tuscarawas County schools.

Tuscarawas Central Catholic Principal Jenn Calvo also spoke.

Winners of the organization’s telethon art contest included Aubrey Reynolds, fourth grade, Strasburg; Makayla Bickford, ninth grade, TCC; Jaiden Garvin, kindergarten, Dover; and Isaiah Hart, fifth grade, Dover. Unable to attend were grand prize winner Brisa Gonzalez-Rodriguez, TCC, ninth grade; Jordan Cheng, ninth grade, TCC; Airabella Christner, eighth grade, Newcomerstown; Hallie Conley, eighth grade, Newcomerstown; Myla Jacobs, second grade, Indian Valley; and Raul Sanchez, seventh grade, TCC.

Representatives from Starlight Enterprises and Ohio’s Hospice donated items to the organization’s auction.

Students from Claymont City Schools and New Philadelphia Central Elementary presented money raised for Rainbow Connection.

Matt Carpenter from Strasburg-Franklin Schools discussed a soon-to-be-installed sensory room that the organization received from Rainbow Connection.

Vocalists from Tusky Valley’s fifth- and sixth-grade classes, under the direction of Deanna Zesiger, sang a medley of “Lean on Me” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

A video featured colorblind students from Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School who received corrective glasses from Rainbow Connection.

Chris Pleska and Andrew Burrell presented information about a Leadership Tuscarawas project they are completing for Rainbow Connection.

Thank-you messages from members of Rainbow Connection’s casework aired.

An in memoriam video for Rainbow Connection supporters aired. Auction items in memory of those individuals — Brenda Furbay, Bob Sensel, Joanne Sullie, Holly Robin and Karen Kuhn — also were included.

Community members Pam Sprowls and Mike Stokey, who created community events to raise additional funds for the organization, spoke about their efforts.

Rainbow Connection board member Chona Kinsey, volunteer Alexis Kuhn and Baker Florist’s Dalene Baker delivered $4,211.75 raised by area restaurants and bars through the sale of Building the Rainbow cards.

Rainbow Connection holds an online auction each year in tandem with its telethon. In addition to featuring more than 100 items donated by local individuals and businesses, the auction also included five Rainbow Items.

“These items detail the work we do and let members of our community donate with a specific project in mind,” Garner said. “We were happy to feature the safe sleep swaddles, emergency alert devices, long-term prescription assistance, and accessibility equipment for schools. These Rainbow Items alone raised nearly $1,500.”

In addition to Garner, the event was hosted by WJER’s Michelle Spring; Dover Exchange Club’s Shane Gunnoe and McInturf Realty’s Jan McInturf; Wendy’s Chris Lane and Rainbow Connection Chairman’s Circle sponsor Matt Ritzert; and TuscoMFG’s Kait Gallagher-Wilsterman and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services’ Jeff Mathias. Former Executive Director Carmel Haueter closed out the show with Garner.

Rainbow Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health charity dedicated to assisting Tuscarawas County’s disabled and disadvantaged residents and the schools and organizations that support them. If you or someone you know needs assistance with health or medical expenses, contact Rainbow Connection at 330-343-8686 or info@tuscrainbow.org.