Rainbow Connection Debuts New Welcome Mural, Awards Over $72,000 in Assistance
- percigarner
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Funded in large part by a Tuscarawas Arts Partnership (TAP) Support Grant, the new welcome wall mural at Rainbow Connection says it best—they’re here to help.
“We know when people come through our doors that they’ve been through a lot,” Garner said. “They’re sick or injured, facing a bill that is outside their budget, and now they have to ask for assistance. We can’t change the circumstances that bring them to us: but we want them to know they’re not alone.”
Garner continued, “The goal of the project was to welcome applicants into a bright, comfortable space that makes the process less intimidating. We know asking for help is hard and so is our application. They have to disclose their household income, expenses, debts, and the situation and costs that brought them here. It’s a lot, so we do everything we can to make it easier. We’re so thankful to Wilma and the TAP board for helping us to do that with this mural.”
The Tuscarawas Arts Support Grant (TASG) is awarded to projects and programs with a focus on arts, culture, and creativity in Tuscarawas County. The goal of the grant is to provide additional funding support for arts-based projects and programs that would impact local communities within Tuscarawas County.
Dover artist Hannah Johnson was commissioned by the agency to complete the mural. In her design, Johnson highlighted Tuscarawas County schools and included numerous services Rainbow Connection assists with such as hearing aids, medical transportation, handicapped equipment, medical bills, and medical alert devices. She also included references to former Executive Director Carmel Hauter and Garner’s time pitching for the 2016 Cleveland Indians.
“It’s amazing that you guys are here in our community, and your mural says it perfectly,” a recent applicant to Rainbow Connection stated. “You’re here to help. Our community is here to help.”
Rainbow Connection provides financial assistance to Tuscarawas County’s disabled and disadvantaged and the schools and organizations that support them through funds raised at their annual telethon. The agency raised a record-breaking $352,503.13 at its 52nd annual telethon in March and exclusively uses those funds to support applicants.
“We cannot thank our community enough for the support they showed us in March—and continue to show us,” Garner said. “We didn’t meet in March to review cases because of the Telethon, so we had 27 cases to present to the board last week. That’s a new record for me.”
At the Rainbow Connection’s April board meeting, the board approved $72,806.27 of assistance to Tuscarawas County individuals and schools, including almost $48,000.00 in medical and dental bill assistance; more than $17,000.00 in handicapped equipment, hearing aids, and communication devices; and nearly $8,000 for prescriptions, medical supplies, and transportation to medical appointments.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with health or medical expenses, visit tuscrainbow.org or call 330.343.8686 to apply.