Dedication Day!
The Rainbow has been built.
The Adventure is just beginning..

(May 4, 2001) On a bright sunny day with more of the feel of summer than early spring, over one hundred fifty invited guests helped celebrate the beginning of a new era in child care with an enchanting "Rainbow Chimes" style Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

After the greeting by Executive Director Kathleen Roche, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by a group of Rainbow Chimes children who then offered up the songs, "Welcome To Our New Home" and "If You're Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands". After all, it wouldn't be a child care dedication without children.

Rev. Janet Hand then gave the invocation in which she asked for blessings on..."all those who gathered here to dedicate Rainbow Chimes... and to honor the vision, work and cooperation that has brought it into being".

A few of the distinguished guests were then offered the opportunity to say a few words and, as Huntington Town Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said, "(New York State Assemblyman) Jim Conte has a great line that he often uses. . .Asking a politician if he has anything to say is like asking your barber whether you need a haircut. Of course!"

Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone spoke first, breaking the great news that Huntington has been named one of the top thirty finalists for the All American Cities award. He then likened the way the community pulled together to make RCI's new facility possible to a ". . .Modern barn raising, that's taking place in modern times" and said that they were ". . .Very proud to be part of it, and to work with you."

NY Senator Marcellino said that, as a former school teacher, there were certain things he looked for when he toured our center. "Are the kids happy? Are they smiling? Is the staff happy? Are they smiling? Are they having a good time when they're doing they job? And I saw all that. I saw it in room after room. I saw real caring staff. I saw kids having a good time and being taught. I saw a loving and caring staff...I'm in your army, Katie, you do a great job and I hope we work together for many more years."

US Congressman Steve Israel wasn't able to attend due to a scheduling conflict, but he did send a representative who read a statement, and presented Rainbow Chimes with an American flag that was flown over the Capital building. The letter said, in part, ". . .It has been a pleasure to work with you in the past, and I look forward to continuing our relationship as your organization grows. You can always expect a smiling face and a helping hand from my office."

NY Assemblyman John Flanagan said "The coolest thing I've ever done in my life is have kids. It's the most work, it's the most responsibility. . .and we all worry. . .are they getting a good education, are they being taken care of? When you can leave your child somewhere and do it with an emotion that leaves you feeling comfortable, and safe, and not having to worry. . .you just can't put a price tag on something like that.. . .The people at Rainbow Chimes. . .deserve an extraordinary amount of credit, but also the staff, . . .it's a very dedicated staff and it's very simple to understand the people who do this don't do it to get rich, because nobody does in this business.. . .They are an extraordinary bunch in what they try to achieve."

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, after opening with his humorous line borrowed from Jim Conte, said, ". . .I'm really reminded of the song from the Wizard of Oz...somewhere over the Rainbow is a place where dreams come true. Well, somewhere over this rainbow...Rainbow Chimes, is a place where a dream has come true.

A dream of quality child care, a dream of the state of mind that a parent can have, as John (Flanagan) alluded to, in bringing their child to a place where there is quality child care. I was so glad that the Town could be a part of this dream, and it is truly, a dream come true."

County Legislator Alan Binder was unable to attend the dedication, but his legislative aid Andy Raia was a more than adequate replacement. He reminisced that "....it was a little over a year ago. . . I got a panic call from Katie...'we need curb-cuts or we can't start building' We got the curb-cuts, and started building on time. The reason I bring it up is that two weeks ago I got a phone call..."we have a problem with the Health Department. I need your help or we can't open by the due date.' We made that happen, too. Katie, only due to your perseverance, and all the wonderful people gathered here today that helped to make it happen. Best of luck."

JoAnn Raia, Town Clerk for the town of Huntington, opened her remarks by asking everyone assembled to give Katie a great round of applause. The standing ovation that followed was overwhelming and greatly appreciated. She continued saying "...I've been a long time board member of the Town Wide Fund of Huntington. . . and last year Katie applied for funding. She applied for a new agency to be admitted, and. . . it's a little difficult since we do have twenty five agencies. It's a little difficult because there's a lot of competition out there. Katie gave such a remarkable, emotional, tearful presentation to the committee that Rainbow Chimes was accepted, and we gave funding for the babyscapes program. . . I welcome you as a member agency of the Town Wide Fund of Huntington, and on a personal note, a job well done."

"When Katie called my office and asked me to speak," attorney Mara Manon said, "I pulled out the legal file I had on the project." She then held out her arms to indicate a stack almost a foot and a half tall. "It's about this big. I went through it because I didn't want to forget anyone. There are so many people who have given, I just want to mention a few of them.

I'll start with Bob Fonti. Bob introduced Katie to Donald Pius, who was incredibly generous in donating a two hundred thousand dollar mortgage to Rainbow Chimes. With those funds, they were able to purchase the land for the project."

So many others donated services after that.

Bill Elles, Brian Dwyer and Charles Bonfonti, Reverend Duncanson and the Lawn Street Church all made donations to the project. During the Zoning Board hearings most of the experts reduced the price of their services.

"I'd like to commend Katie on her vision and her perseverance in a tough situation."