Rainbow Connection Continues to Make Dreams Come True Despite COVID-19
A Michigan nonprofit continues granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses across the state to bring joy into their lives during the pandemic.
By Aubrey Etue
They may not be fairy godmothers singing bibbity-bobbity-boo, but you might say Ingrid Todt and Kristen Pontz wave their own magic wands by granting children their wildest wishes. All while getting paid to make dreams come true.
“Although all jobs have a purpose, being able to give children hope when they need it the most (is) something that I’m very proud of that we are able to do.” says Todt, wish director for The Rainbow Connection. “We get to make a difference in the life of a child.”
Based in Rochester, Michigan, The Rainbow Connection has been spreading joy to children battling life-threatening illnesses since 1985. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit has made alterations to allow these children to still receive their wish, even if it’s not a trip to Disney World or a visit to New York City to see Broadway’s “Hamilton.”
The Rainbow Connection has granted over 3,707 wishes to children across Michigan who meet four requirements: They are between the ages of 2 and 18, struggle with a medically documented life-threatening illness, have not received a wish from any other organization and live in Michigan. Once a child has been approved and the organization receives all the documentation, the Wish Department reaches out to the wish family and begins the process of granting the child’s wish.
“We make contact with them to introduce ourselves and tell them the great news and then we set up a wish meeting. Traditionally, we would always meet the family either at their home, at a restaurant (or) at the hospital,” Todt explains.
After meeting the wish family, the Wish Department begins research on the three ideas the child has in mind. Once completed, the research is sent to the wish child to look through and decide. Then, the Wish Department works hand-in-hand with the wish child and his or her family throughout the entire wish-granting process to ensure it is exactly what the child wants.
But the magic doesn’t stop there.
“We stay in contact with them before, during and after their wish and provide support services along the way as well,” says Todt. “The Wish Department revolves around taking care of the wish families the entire time they are a part of The Rainbow Connection, which could be years.”
Each wish child is featured on the “Wish Wall” which tracks the wishes granted by The Rainbow Connection each year. “A wish child’s picture goes up on the wall when they meet with their Wish Coordinator for the first time (along with) their name, city and their wish,” explains Rebbeca Martines, operations coordinator for The Rainbow Connection. “Once a child receives their wish, their picture is moved to the right hand side of the board. Once we get to December, the right hand side is filled up with all the wishes from the entire year.” Courtesy The Rainbow Connection
Even now, despite the coronavirus pandemic, The Rainbow Connection has granted over 50 wishes this year and continues to stay in touch with families. The process remains the same: meet the family, research and choose a wish, then make it happen. The difference is that the process now happens virtually, via Zoom or FaceTime, and all wishes that involve traveling have been postponed until it is safe.
“We are granting wishes in different ways,” says Pontz, wish and volunteer coordinator for The Rainbow Connection. “We’ve done some (online) shopping sprees (and) some bedroom makeovers.”
Even if a wish child has to choose something new or different, nothing compares to the look of joy on a child’s face when they realize they are “able to dream bigger than they really thought possible,” Pontz says.
To keep spirits up, The Rainbow Connection continues to provide enhancements — a year-round program where activities, which could include tickets to a Tigers’ game or a show at the Fox are donated for wish families to enjoy. Now, since they can’t be done in person, the enhancements have been made virtual.
“We’ve had magic shows and different interactive experiences. We’ve done gymnastics classes, yoga classes, arts and crafts (and) we did some science experiments together,” Pontz explains.
Not only does the organization arrange virtual enhancements, but it has instituted Happy Packs, small packages with gifts inside, to help brighten the wish child’s spirits.
Wish families that have struggled to pay their child’s medical bills during the pandemic have experienced added stress and difficulties. But The Rainbow Connection, with support from grant and funding partners, helps to alleviate some of their financial needs in ways both big and small, such as providing Kroger gift cards.
However, none of this would be possible without fundraising. While the nonprofit greatly relies on community fundraisers such as golf outings or workplace giving, The Rainbow Connection hosts four major events each year: the movie marathon, the Dream Maker’s Ball, the Dobson golf outing and the Celebration of Dreams.
A sign on the front steps of The Rainbow Connection to welcome visitors. Photo by Aubrey Etue
Because of the coronavirus, these events are a little different this year. Two of the four events — the movie marathon and the Dream Maker’s Ball — have happened virtually. The other two — the Dobson golf outing and the Celebration of Dreams — have been postponed to a later date.
Although the Dream Maker’s Ball is the biggest event put on by The Rainbow Connection, the Celebration of Dreams — which consists of a dinner, silent auction and “Wish Child Fashion Show” — holds a special place in Pontz’s heart. Afterall, you never know what could happen when a 5 year old walks down a runway wearing an outfit styled by the wish child herself.
A WISH STORY
Back in 2006, George Miller, executive director for The Rainbow Connection, witnessed the joy a wish brings a child when his daughter Mandy, who was suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue, received her wish. Mandy, then 13, knew exactly what she wanted when it came time to make a decision: to be leased a horse. Within two weeks, her wish came true.
But this wish ended up becoming something much bigger than Miller thought. Mac, Mandy’s horse, was adopted by the family and moved to Pine Meadows in Novi so that Mandy and Mac could stay together.
“On the way home (from treatment), we would (often) stop by in Novi and let Mandy ride, hug or groom Mac,” says Miller. “It was a wish that had more therapeutic value than I could have ever imagined.”
After Mandy passed in 2007, Mac continued to be a part of the Miller family, helping to keep her memory alive. Now, he lives happily with another family who takes care of him the way Mandy would have wanted.
HELP MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
The events that help make wishes possible need volunteers to be a success.
If you’re interested in helping celebrate The Rainbow Connection’s 35 anniversary, through volunteering, donating or a community fundraiser, check out rainbowconnection.org.
About the Writer:
Aubrey Etue of Berkley, Michigan
As a junior in high school, Aubrey enjoys participating in her school’s theater program and forensics team. In her free time, Aubrey loves to hang out with friends and practice her photography and editing skills.