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When a family who built an amazing, supportive business focused on bringing kids and families together, is faced with losing their entire livelihood 1 week before Thanksgiving, we need the community they built through hard work, dedication and their own resources to rally behind them!
A Safe, Clean Place for Kids - Jeff and Kathleen Warren started their indoor play place - Rain or Shine, to give their 3 young children and the community of Palm Bay, FL - a safe, clean, happy place for kids to do what kids do best – play, laugh and learn, while their parents or grandparents enjoy a good cup of coffee and get to watch their kids interact in a stress-free, kid-friendly environment. But Rain or Shine is a business with a higher purpose and the Warrens have put their hearts, souls and finances into making it so much more than just a place to entertain a bunch of kids.
Our Mission - a community that cares about each other. Their mission was to create a community within the community. A place designed for families who needed a safe, clean and - especially in Florida, with its’ oppressive heat and unpredictable storms - a climate-controlled place to play; that not only catered to younger children but incorporated sensory-friendly surroundings, toys and activities, to make it accessible to kids with special needs too. A place where nursing moms could feel welcome and comfortable to nurse their babies, while their toddler played, where dads could plug in to the comfy USB chairs and do a little work while their little ones engaged in much-needed fun and interaction. A place where family dinner dances and book clubs are as big a part of the schedule as the puppet shows, character days and kid crafts.
All in for the greater good. After months of planning and careful research, they found what seemed like the perfect location for Rain or Shine in an old mattress store in a strip mall. The owners of the space guaranteed the Warrens a 1-year lease and indicated that as long as they paid their rent in a timely fashion, there was no reason they couldn’t continue to lease the space long-term. They spent the next 15-months pouring all of their personal resources and credit into renovating the space into the perfect embodiment of their vision. In urban areas, a sense of community is sometimes hard to find – Rain or Shine built a successful community of parents and kids, all under one roof in a short 15-month time frame. In Rain or Shine - a community was born. A community of parents who became friends, while their kids gleefully chased princesses and pirates around the soft, foam covered floors. It was the dream turned into reality.
Paying it Forward. But that’s not the whole story – the Warrens wanted to give back to the community, so when one of their moms, Jessica, mother of Grant, a sweet, blue-eyed, freckle-faced boy only 4? years old, who was bravely battling cancer; came to the Warrens for help raising money for Saint Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, the answer was a resounding yes! They used their own resources and organized a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at Rain or Shine to raise money.
Partnering with Saint Baldrick’s to organize annual or semi-annual fundraisers to support cancer research became a new part of Rain or Shine’s mission. If you’re wondering where the story goes wrong, keep reading.
Too Good to Be True - Greed Grabs Hold. Unfortunately, corporate greed and a craftily-worded lease agreement changed everything for Rain or Shine and the Warrens - virtually overnight. After 15 months of building a successful business, community, friendships and charitable events and after only 6 months of being open, the Warrens received a call from the building owner informing them that they had to vacate the space within 2 weeks. Furthermore, they were told a clause in the lease actually gave the owner the right to kick them out in 24 hours, but he was giving them the "courtesy" of 2 weeks to vacate because of the holiday. Naturally, the Warrens were devastated and reached out to an attorney to protect their rights. But the lease contained language that allowed the owner to literally throw them out in a two -week time frame. This was 1 week before Thanksgiving. The Warrens pleaded with the owner reminding him that they had invested $65,000 of their own money into the renovations of the space and had never been late on 1 rent payment! It was baffling to say the least. But the owner was adamant and had another tenant already lined up.
Heartbroken and Feeling Helpless. So, Rain or Shine and the entire Warren Family, Jeff, Kathleen, Trevor – age 7, Keith – age 4 and little Mackenzie – age 1, are without a place to continue, not only their mission to build a community and help save kids by supporting childhood cancer research; their very livelihood is at stake. Weeks before Christmas. With every bit of their resources tied up in the current rebuild, starting over is a monumental task.
Keep Going Until You Get There. But – the Warrens are not quitters and their vision for Rain or Shine will continue with help from the community they’ve built and hopefully from caring, kid-loving people everywhere.
Who Are We? We're a family just like the Warrens who have who have become a part of the Rain or Shine Community and experienced first-hand the amazing support and positive contributions this business has provided in our community. My son-in-law and daughter and 2 grandsons, age 5 and 2 moved to the area only a year ago, where my son-in-law works as a local veterinarian. Having only been in the area for a short time, finding Rain or Shine has made such a difference in their lives because it helped establish them in a caring, mutually supportive community of parents and other children. We got involved when we learned that this amazing family was facing a huge threat to their very livelihood and because there are no other organizations like Rain or Shine in the community and we need this!
With Your Help We Can Do This! Our goal to help Rain or Shine find and build out a new space is $60,000. Even though the costs are likely to be upwards of $65,000, the Warrens have requested that 10% of all donations go directly to Saint Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Even at a time of dire need, giving back is a top priority for Rain or Shine’s community minded owners. Please help us support the Rain or Shine Rebuild and St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Research. With only a short window to make dreams happen for all the kids, parents, grandparents and the Warrens themselves, we need to act fast. It's important to note that Rain or Shine has been successful and retains 70% of their business as a result of an effective and efficient business model and management. With strong relationships with vendors and suppliers and strong business acumen, the primary issue is simply that the renovations cash-strapped the business and with no time to rebuild the capital required to rebuild in a new space in the current location; we need help. The funds raised are to fund the relocation, remodel, engineering, licensing and legal costs.
We only need 6000 People to Donate $10!!! We’re asking 6000 people to donate $10. We understand many may not be able to financially afford to donate, but you can still help by sharing the Rain or Shine story on your social media networks. $10 from 6000 people! We can do it with your help!
Rain or Shine's purpose is defined by it's name - being there for families and the community through thick and thin, rain or shine - you can count on it. It’s a great time to help not just 1 family, but so many families who depend on the love and support that is shared at Rain or Shine. Thank you for your support!
A Safe, Clean Place for Kids - Jeff and Kathleen Warren started their indoor play place - Rain or Shine, to give their 3 young children and the community of Palm Bay, FL - a safe, clean, happy place for kids to do what kids do best – play, laugh and learn, while their parents or grandparents enjoy a good cup of coffee and get to watch their kids interact in a stress-free, kid-friendly environment. But Rain or Shine is a business with a higher purpose and the Warrens have put their hearts, souls and finances into making it so much more than just a place to entertain a bunch of kids.
Our Mission - a community that cares about each other. Their mission was to create a community within the community. A place designed for families who needed a safe, clean and - especially in Florida, with its’ oppressive heat and unpredictable storms - a climate-controlled place to play; that not only catered to younger children but incorporated sensory-friendly surroundings, toys and activities, to make it accessible to kids with special needs too. A place where nursing moms could feel welcome and comfortable to nurse their babies, while their toddler played, where dads could plug in to the comfy USB chairs and do a little work while their little ones engaged in much-needed fun and interaction. A place where family dinner dances and book clubs are as big a part of the schedule as the puppet shows, character days and kid crafts.
All in for the greater good. After months of planning and careful research, they found what seemed like the perfect location for Rain or Shine in an old mattress store in a strip mall. The owners of the space guaranteed the Warrens a 1-year lease and indicated that as long as they paid their rent in a timely fashion, there was no reason they couldn’t continue to lease the space long-term. They spent the next 15-months pouring all of their personal resources and credit into renovating the space into the perfect embodiment of their vision. In urban areas, a sense of community is sometimes hard to find – Rain or Shine built a successful community of parents and kids, all under one roof in a short 15-month time frame. In Rain or Shine - a community was born. A community of parents who became friends, while their kids gleefully chased princesses and pirates around the soft, foam covered floors. It was the dream turned into reality.
Paying it Forward. But that’s not the whole story – the Warrens wanted to give back to the community, so when one of their moms, Jessica, mother of Grant, a sweet, blue-eyed, freckle-faced boy only 4? years old, who was bravely battling cancer; came to the Warrens for help raising money for Saint Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, the answer was a resounding yes! They used their own resources and organized a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at Rain or Shine to raise money.
Partnering with Saint Baldrick’s to organize annual or semi-annual fundraisers to support cancer research became a new part of Rain or Shine’s mission. If you’re wondering where the story goes wrong, keep reading.
Too Good to Be True - Greed Grabs Hold. Unfortunately, corporate greed and a craftily-worded lease agreement changed everything for Rain or Shine and the Warrens - virtually overnight. After 15 months of building a successful business, community, friendships and charitable events and after only 6 months of being open, the Warrens received a call from the building owner informing them that they had to vacate the space within 2 weeks. Furthermore, they were told a clause in the lease actually gave the owner the right to kick them out in 24 hours, but he was giving them the "courtesy" of 2 weeks to vacate because of the holiday. Naturally, the Warrens were devastated and reached out to an attorney to protect their rights. But the lease contained language that allowed the owner to literally throw them out in a two -week time frame. This was 1 week before Thanksgiving. The Warrens pleaded with the owner reminding him that they had invested $65,000 of their own money into the renovations of the space and had never been late on 1 rent payment! It was baffling to say the least. But the owner was adamant and had another tenant already lined up.
Heartbroken and Feeling Helpless. So, Rain or Shine and the entire Warren Family, Jeff, Kathleen, Trevor – age 7, Keith – age 4 and little Mackenzie – age 1, are without a place to continue, not only their mission to build a community and help save kids by supporting childhood cancer research; their very livelihood is at stake. Weeks before Christmas. With every bit of their resources tied up in the current rebuild, starting over is a monumental task.
Keep Going Until You Get There. But – the Warrens are not quitters and their vision for Rain or Shine will continue with help from the community they’ve built and hopefully from caring, kid-loving people everywhere.
Who Are We? We're a family just like the Warrens who have who have become a part of the Rain or Shine Community and experienced first-hand the amazing support and positive contributions this business has provided in our community. My son-in-law and daughter and 2 grandsons, age 5 and 2 moved to the area only a year ago, where my son-in-law works as a local veterinarian. Having only been in the area for a short time, finding Rain or Shine has made such a difference in their lives because it helped establish them in a caring, mutually supportive community of parents and other children. We got involved when we learned that this amazing family was facing a huge threat to their very livelihood and because there are no other organizations like Rain or Shine in the community and we need this!
With Your Help We Can Do This! Our goal to help Rain or Shine find and build out a new space is $60,000. Even though the costs are likely to be upwards of $65,000, the Warrens have requested that 10% of all donations go directly to Saint Baldrick’s Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Even at a time of dire need, giving back is a top priority for Rain or Shine’s community minded owners. Please help us support the Rain or Shine Rebuild and St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Research. With only a short window to make dreams happen for all the kids, parents, grandparents and the Warrens themselves, we need to act fast. It's important to note that Rain or Shine has been successful and retains 70% of their business as a result of an effective and efficient business model and management. With strong relationships with vendors and suppliers and strong business acumen, the primary issue is simply that the renovations cash-strapped the business and with no time to rebuild the capital required to rebuild in a new space in the current location; we need help. The funds raised are to fund the relocation, remodel, engineering, licensing and legal costs.
We only need 6000 People to Donate $10!!! We’re asking 6000 people to donate $10. We understand many may not be able to financially afford to donate, but you can still help by sharing the Rain or Shine story on your social media networks. $10 from 6000 people! We can do it with your help!
Rain or Shine's purpose is defined by it's name - being there for families and the community through thick and thin, rain or shine - you can count on it. It’s a great time to help not just 1 family, but so many families who depend on the love and support that is shared at Rain or Shine. Thank you for your support!