Community Support

People can donate to RFTR by mail, phone, on our website through Canada Helps, via social media platforms like Facebook or by attending one of our events. We also welcome 3rd party events! (That’s when schools, businesses or individuals hold events and donate the funds from that event to us. These can include parties, bake sales, walk-a-thons… anything that people dream up to have fun, create awareness and raise money to support RFTR). Here are some of the amazing events held in support of Reach for the Rainbow this past year!

Smile Cookie Campaign

It’s the sweet treat that keeps on giving! There were plenty of smiles to go around in Bolton for one particular week in September. The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign was a sweet success with a total of $54,200 being raised for Reach for the Rainbow! Tens of thousands of the special chocolate chunk cookies were sold between September 14th and 20th at various Tim Hortons locations in Caledon and Bolton. “This year’s campaign was a great success yet again, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of so many loyal guests,” said Liz Stafford, of Tim Hortons Bolton. “We are so proud to donate one hundred percent of proceeds raised from the sale of the every Smile Cookie to such a worthy charity that helps children,” said Stafford. Smile Cookie is a special campaign as it supports causes and organizations that resonate with the local community. The charities are selected by Restaurant Owners operating Tim Hortons in participating cities across the country. A special thanks to Gerry Lawlor and the Tottenham, Palgrave, Monomills and Schomberg locations!

Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario

Reach for the Rainbow is thrilled receive a donation in the amount of $15,000 from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. Reach for the Rainbow graciously acknowledges CPA Ontario’s support to further our agency’s cause of providing integrated recreational opportunities to children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities, their families and the communities in which they belong.

Scotiabank

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Scotiabank for their outstanding fundraising efforts for a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale and throughout the months of April and May in which the Cloverdale Mall and the Queensway locations encouraged their staff and customers to support the charity through the auction of items, an amazing Bingo Night, the sale of chocolates and numerous donations. An astounding $10,300 was raised, half of which was contributed by Scotiabank Corporate head office! A very special thank you to Frances Gratta, Andrea Savva and Jeff Snowden for their thoughtful and inspired enthusiasm for our children’s charity! “It gives us great pleasure to participate in fund raising for an organization that is committed to the well-being of the children and their Families. We are so proud of Scotiabank for supporting Reach for the Rainbow year after year, and making this the charity of choice for our Etobicoke Branches’ specifically locations at Cloverdale Mall Branch and Queensway and Islington.”

Walk A Mile In My Shoe

The 7th annual walkathon was held on September 27th, 2014 in London, Ontario and raised $695 in support of the charity. Bill Hiltz has been a participant for over twelve years through Reach for the Rainbow, and he invited the public to participate in the fundraiser where a simple walk in the park can be challenging when facing special barriers. A special thanks to Joyce Balaz for her continued support and time in organizing Walk a Mile in My Shoe each year, and her belief that “Experience and Understanding brings Change”.

Cobs Bakery

A fundraising BBQ was a held at Humbertown Plaza on June 14th, 2014, hosted by Cob’s Bakery and our strong supporter Tanya Kazdan which raised close to $700! Their year-round donations of delicious baked goods and yummy treats are so very valued and appreciated by so many children and families across Ontario.

Ryerson students put together a wonderful Acoustic coffee house evening in support of the charity on January 22nd, 2015 – a room filled with talent, love and of course – cookies and caffeine! A special thank you to those in attendance who raised $254 by supporting RFTR in such a creative and meaningful way!

George Brown College

Held at the Historic Campbell House on July 17th, 2014, the fundraising event was called “Cocktails & Camping” featured live music and a wood burning pizza oven and cottage and camping themed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and raised close to $2,000 for Reach for the Rainbow!

Cloverdale Mall Fashion Scoops

From April 17th – 27th, 2014 Cloverdale Mall showcased the hottest looks, trends, colours and styles of season, all with single scoop servings from Laura Secord and charitable donations collected for Reach for the Rainbow raising close to $500!

Run for Reach with Richard Graves

Marathon Crusader Richard Graves raised $2,980 over his 2014 Race season! We were also a charitable partner in the Oakville Half Marathon 10K and 2K held Sunday, September 21st, 2014

Barreworks

Raise the Barre Charity Classes from Barreworks proudly sponsors a charity or cause close to their hearts. All year round, with each $10 class, $5 goes right to the cause of the month. Feel good about helping yourself and others! Classes were held Sunday March 15th and Sunday March 22nd, with $170 raised for the charity.

Mack Trucks

Wayne McDonald, District Manager of Central Canada presented Sharron MacKay with a $3,750 cheque from an employee driven fundraising campaign for the charity!

Holiday Lanterns & Succulent Chocolates

During the holiday season, Succulent Chocolates teamed up with RFTR and had a very successful Spirit of Giving Campaign which featured beautifully crafted lanterns filled with decadent Peppermint Butter Toffee from the renowned “World Chocolate Masters of 2013” Chef Sandra Abballe of Succulent Chocolates. $1,659 was raised in support of Reach for the Rainbow participants!

Xtreme Couture

Reach for the Rainbow’s (RFTR) event day at Xtreme Couture on February 21 was a great success, raising close to $2,000 to support the charity’s integrated programs for children and youth with disabilities. At the fitness fundraiser, participants tried their hand (and feet) at spinning, kettlebell, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, Zumba and salsa, all while helping to make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. All proceeds from the $10 admission price supported RFTR’s integrated year-round and summer camp programs.

Punjabi Golf Association Tournament

Reach for the Rainbow attended the Punjabi Golf Association Tournament at Blue Springs Golf Course on July 3rd, 2014. Even the rainy weather did not stop the event from being a huge success with a total of $2,450 being raised for Reach for the Rainbow. Special thank you to the 50/50 winner Paul Kalia for his generous donation of his winnings back to Reach for the Rainbow! A very special thank you to Chandler Sudan for allowing our children’s charity to attend the tournament and run a 50/50 fundraiser!

14th Annual Reach for the Rainbow Week

The City of Toronto and the Honourable Mayor John Tory proclaimed June 7th – 13th, 2015 Reach for the Rainbow Week, to recognize the importance of integration and the valuable contribution Reach for the Rainbow and its many partners make by creating a city where everyone belongs. The aim of Reach for the Rainbow Week is to increase awareness of the value of integrated settings for people with disabilities and their communities.