Rainbow Village Benefit Gala Raised More Than $380K to Combat Homelessness in Metro Atlanta

DULUTH, Ga. - Sept. 12, 2024 - PRLog -- Presented by Northside Hospital and hosted at the Atlanta Athletic Club on September 7, the Rainbow Village "We Are Family" Benefit Gala assembled a ballroom filled with the nonprofit's supporters for one shared purpose: ending homelessness – one family at a time – in Metro Atlanta. Based in Gwinnett County, Rainbow Village provides a transitional housing, counseling, and life skills program devoted to bringing Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness for up to two years. Marking its largest fundraiser of the year, by the end of the Gala, the nonprofit had raised $384,785 to help further its mission.

"We are beyond grateful for our wonderful sponsors, donors, and attendees for another highly successful Gala," said Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner. "During the event, we shared details with our guests related to the realities our families face daily.  During our Fund Our Mission portion of the event – with a goal of raising $75,000 -- we shared how their financial investment would support a family for one year. As a result, within just 20 minutes, we raised $92,200, far exceeding our goal of 52 weeks by providing funding to cover 64 weeks. There is something truly powerful and magical about our Gala and its ability to touch the hearts of everyone who attends it. My team and I are still bursting with joy and gratitude – days after the event came to an end."

In addition to a champagne reception, seated dinner, silent and live auctions, and the event's famed wine wall, the evening included naming the 2024 Joel P. Hudson Humanitarian Award recipient Cole Porter of Porter Steel.

"As generous as he is genuine, Cole was the ideal candidate for this year's Hudson Humanitarian Award," added Conner. "Driven by a desire to leave the communities where Porter Steel does business better than it finds them, he's built a culture at his company set on making a life-changing difference in our corner of the world, giving to multiple non-profits on a regular basis. If everyone were more like Cole and Porter Steel, I do not doubt that the world would be a better place."

Porter wasn't the only winner of the evening. Sponsored by Subaru of Gwinnett, a raffle for a Vacation for Four at the Millennium Resort and Spa in the Dominican Republic was won by Kyle Tingley. In addition to Northside Hospital, Porter Steel, and Subaru of Gwinnett, Conner extended her heartfelt gratitude to the following corporate sponsors: Chick-fil-A, Metro Waterproofing, W3 CPAs & Advisors, Garrard Group, Embassy National Bank, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and The Whitlock Group, Inc.

To learn more about Rainbow Village and its mission or to make a direct donation, please visit www.RainbowVillage.org.