During the September 12 meeting of its Board of Directors, the Tuscarawas Society for Children & Adults, Inc. (better known as the Rainbow Connection) appointed Dover resident Karon Baker as board president. Baker has served as a member of the Rainbow Connection board since 1992.
“I consider it an honor,” Baker said. “When I was young, I was so busy. And when I was ready to go back into volunteer work, Bill Walkosak came to me and told me what the organization was, that they give 100% of the money back to the community, that they run a small staff, and I said ‘that has to be the best organization ever.’ And it has been.”
The Rainbow Connection awarded more than $636,000.00 in assistance to Tuscarawas County schools, organizations, and individuals during the 2023-2024 fiscal year—the most the organization has ever awarded in a single year.
“Thanks to the dedicated individuals like Karon who have served as the stewards of our organization over its near 75-year history, we are able to continue to meet the needs of our community as more and more assistance is required,” said Executive Director Perci Garner. “In the last year, we assisted individual Tuscarawas County residents with more than $355,000 in aid for medical bills, equipment, and prescription costs. We also awarded over $280,000 to schools and organizations for accessibility improvements and medical equipment.”
“We’ve been making a concerted effort to show those who support our organization exactly where their money goes,” Garner said. “We hope they’re as proud as we are of the difference they are making right here in Tuscarawas County.”
The Rainbow Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, independent health charity dedicated to meeting the needs of disadvantaged and disabled residents of Tuscarawas County. If you or someone you know needs support, call 330.343.8686 or visit tuscrainbow.org. The Annual Telethon celebrating 75 years of the Rainbow Connection is scheduled for Sunday, March 09, 2025. Donations can be made year-round at tuscrainbow.org
Since raising over $328,000 during its March 2024 Telethon, Rainbow Connection has awarded nearly $248,000.
Comments