ABOUT US
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Rhoda Rau knew her vivacious and generous personality. After her passing, we received an outpouring of letters, texts, and calls with a similar message of thanksgiving and praise of Rhoda’s ability to make each person that she encountered feel loved and accepted. Since her death, we have all felt a hole in our hearts and a void in our community. It is with abounding love and pride that we announce the establishment of the Rhoda Ann Guillot Rau Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting various needs in our community in memory of Rhoda’s loving and giving spirit.
OUR BEGINNING
Rhoda had a life-long connection and affection for St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School. She attended, her children attended, and currently 9 of her grandchildren attend the school. In 2017, at 18 months of age, Rhoda’s grandson, Bradley, was diagnosed with Autism. As Bradley reached school-age, the lack of special needs programs in a faith-based school setting was quickly brought to our attention. Our prayers were answered when the open minds and loving hearts of the St. Francis administration and faculty afforded Bradley the opportunity to attend the school in pre-kindergarten. Bradley thrived at St. Francis, but without a special needs program, his future there was limited. We have also heard numerous stories of families in our community that are faced with this same dilemma. It has become the Foundation’s primary endeavor to fund such a program at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School for Bradley and other children who require different accommodations.
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