Hosted by Rene Knott, anchor 5 on Your Side/KSDK and chaired by Joan Perry,
gala honors Community Leader Matt Thayer, Director, Ameren Transformation Office with the Tice Humanitarian Award
(St. Louis, MO, May 9, 2022) — Promise Community Homes (formerly Rainbow Village) is pleased to announce that the nonprofit raised over $325,000 at its signature annual Somewhere Over the Rainbow Gala. The funding supports the agency’s mission of providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
“The evening was a tremendous success that will benefit the lives of over 300 residents. I am truly touched to see the generosity and support of our community that helps us keep the promise of home. We are especially grateful to the Gertrude and William A. Bernoudy Foundation for being a foundational sponsor of the gala,” said Erin Eberhard, Executive Director of Promise Community Homes.
Chaired by Joan Perry, the gala also honored Matt Thayer, Director, Ameren Transformation Office, for his efforts in raising visibility and vital support for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Thayer received the Tice Humanitarian Award.
“I am honored to chair this life-affirming event and work with dedicated committee members including Cathy Ash, Eileen Cole, Kevin Gunn, Lindsey Niemeier, Alice Roufa, Tracy Thomas, and the staff at Promise Community Homes in support of the diverse I/DD community,” said Perry.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve Promise Community Homes, our residents, and the greater Saint Louis community through this and other charitable endeavors. Promise Community Homes’ commitment to Community Homes for Life for our residents supports richer lives for those individuals and makes our communities stronger through education, inclusion, and acceptance,” said Thayer.
A focal point of this year’s event was the opportunity for guests to aid the agency by retiring resident mortgages. The organization invests an average of $9,000 a year in each of its 86 homes, providing 24/7 emergency response, modifications for accessibility, and all maintenance. Promise Community Homes was able to sunset some of their outstanding mortgages. Because of the monies raised, the nonprofit can continue meeting the growing needs of people living with I/DD.
Promise Community Homes is grateful to all who came and supported their residents. Below is a list of some of the sponsors who championed this year’s event:
Emerson, Sapphire Sponsor
The Gertrude and William A. Bernoudy Foundation, Foundational Sponsor
Ameren, Central Bank, World Wide Technology, Kelli and Mark Yaeger, Platinum Sponsors
Montgomery Bank, Peggy and Jerry Ritter, Gold Sponsors
General Credit Forms, Inc., Lashly & Baer, P.C., The Harlan Company, Paladin Energy Strategies, Pace Properties, True Title Company, TCG Services, Cindy and Warner Baxter, Silver Sponsors
Adventures in Spice, Bank of America, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, MGD Law Estate & Wealth Planning, Vitale’s Deli, Jackie and Randy Baker, Mr. John Baltz, Lisa and Dugie Baron, Celia Thayer, Stephen Thayer, Bronze Sponsors
About Promise Community Homes:
Promise Community Homes is the leading housing provider of choice in the St. Louis region. The nonprofit maintains 86 safe, afford¬able and accessible homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In 1973, its founders created a circle of homes surrounding the Wolff Community Center on Dautel Lane in Creve Coeur, MO, now known as Rainbow Village by Promise Community Homes. Learn more by following @PromiseCommunityHomes on Facebook Twitter, LinkedIn.