NEW MONMOUTH, N.J., Sept. 8, 2017: When golfers teed off at the 29th Annual Thomas V. Karaban Memorial Golf Tournament last week, Rainbow Foundation was the true winner. Thanks to the SMART Carpet and Flooring-sponsored event, Rainbow Foundation was able to raise USD25,000 to help lift some of the financial burden from families of children battling serious illnesses in New Jersey.
Founded by Thomas V. Karaban in 1984, Rainbow Foundation has spent more than three decades providing what it calls "financial first aid" to hundreds of New Jersey children annually - a total of 20,000 children to date - with the goal of quickly providing relief to parents struggling to pay the bills while their children are receiving treatment for life-threatening conditions. The non-sectarian, non-profit organization helps families without requiring them to jump through hoops or wait for any lengthy or complicated approval processes.In order to help families with whatever is most needed, Rainbow Foundation aid takes many forms - from hospital bills and medical equipment to transportation and accommodations during surgeries, cash assistance, and more. The Foundation's Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, and staff include local businesspeople as well as parents who have gone through their own children's serious illnesses. Children and families are screened and referred to Rainbow Foundation by over 200 different agencies, including Special Child Health Services, Monmouth Medical, American Cancer Society, Valerie Fund, and Ronald McDonald House.
The annual golf tournament held in Karaban's name continues to be one of Rainbow Foundation's most significant fundraisers, with corporate sponsors like SMART Carpet and Flooring, individual golfers, and other supporters all pitching in to provide a little hope to families who may not have felt very hopeful for some time.
"We are humbled to have been able to help children and families in need through our association with the 29th Annual Thomas V. Karaban Memorial Golf Tournament," said SMART Carpet and Flooring President Brendan Phillips. "Rainbow Foundation is a wonderful local organization that has long dedicated itself to improving the lives of children. Here at SMART Carpet and Flooring, we will continue to do whatever we can to further that mission."
