Walk, craft-vendors day raise money for Rainbow Connection

WAKEFIELD - More than 100 people participated in a walking event at Sunday Lake in Wakefield, with proceeds benefitting Rainbow Connection, an organization helping children and their families who face life-threatening diseases.

According to organizer Diane Youngberg, Rainbow Connection is similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but is not as well known.

About 85 percent of the money Rainbow Connection raises goes directly back to those who need it, she said, which is more than other well-known programs.

Each year Rainbow Connection hosts a walk at the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, but because of the distance from Gogebic County, the local walk at Sunday Lake was created.

"The (Rainbow Connection) organization does more than just make a wish," Rachel O'Connor, another organizer of the event, said. "It supports the families that are also going through the struggles, such as helping with doctor appointments; I think they've done stuff like car payments- just to get the kid to see the doctor."

As of Sunday afternoon, about 100 people had registered for the walk, which ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A registration donation of $5 was required, and many participants also sought pledges from others.

In addition to the walk, Sunday Lake also played hostto numerous crafters and vendors, selling anything from jewelry to crocheted gloves and hats.

Organizers said many different businesses in the county have donated money and various items to the organization, as well, and each craft vendor was charged $10 per table, which was donated to the cause.

HOPE Animal Shelter, Aspirus Grand View Hospital and the Gogebic Trail Authority were a few of the vendors at the event, which also featured food and massages that could be purchased by donation.

Youngberg said every year the event has gotten bigger.

"We had a Rainbow Connection weekend," she said of this year's efforts. "Friday we did a bake sale in front of the store (Walmart in Ironwood), Saturday a rummage sale at the Bessemer VFW and then the walk here at Sunday Lake, so we hit all three towns trying to get the word out."

Last year, the organization raised more than $8,000, and part of that money was used to help a local boy.

Before he passed away, the boy wanted to take a trip with his father and the organization, along with those who donated, helped make it a possibility.

"Last year with our walk, we had a person from the public who came and says, 'Gosh, we know a little boy from Wakefield we might be able to connect you with,' and so we did," Youngberg said. "His wish was to go to Hawaii. So last November he went to Hawaii, and then, of course, he passed away this spring. So, just that alone keeps you going."

For more information, visit rainbowconnection.org, or call 248-601-9474.