Dionalane (Jane) Cannon Founder-President, JDC Rainbow Foundation

By: Ryan Tejero

 

JDC Rainbow Foundation (JDCRF) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Illinois on January 2, 2013, and registered as a Charity with the Illinois Attorney General. On July 15, 2014 the Foundation was granted tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation seeks to help communities in the Philippines in improving the lives of its people by providing direct assistance to children, the disabled and the less fortunate. Helping to improve public facilities will also be part of its effort in the future. Because of its charitable mission, JDCRF has attracted a lot of its Founder’s friends, who are likewise compassionate, loving and caring to be part of this Foundation. As of this date, it has seven officers, ten directors, twenty-six members, six honorary advisors, three coordinators (Philippines) and one coordinator (France).

JDRCF was presented to the public on through its premier dinner ball event in August 2013. Its Third Anniversary Dinner Ball was held August 6, 2016 at the White Eagle Banquets in Niles, IL, which earned the Foundation more than $8,000 in net proceeds. Of this amount, $4,000 went to benefit a temporary shelter/home in Quezon City operated by Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. The shelter provides effective programs and services for children who are neglected, abandoned, dependent, orphaned and surrendered. Another amount of $1,000 was donated to Feed My Starving Children, with nineteen JDRCF members volunteering to pack meals at their Schaumburg, IL location. In addition, $500 was donated to Operation Smile, and $500 to La Protección de la Infancia, Inc. (Gota de Leche) in Manila, an agency that has feeding programs to address the nutritional needs of numerous indigent Filipino children and their mothers.

Coming up this December 10, 2016, JDRCF will hold their end of the year fundraising event. The JDCRF Christmas Party will be held at the Miraj Restaurant in Niles, Illinois. For next year, the Fourth Anniversary event will be held on a Friday, August 11, 2017 at Lone Tree Manor in Niles, IL.

The founder-president of the JDRCF is the energetic and charismatic Jane Cannon. She is retired from Lutheran General Hospital, where she worked for ten years as Patient Care Companion. She currently devotes much of her time in community activities by attending fundraising events of different nonprofit organizations and dance clubs. She became a Certified Nurse Assistant here in Illinois, and has worked in almost all kinds of healthcare facilities, such as retirement homes, assisted living and nursing homes. She has also taken care of patients at home.

Jane migrated to the US on September 1, 1994. She was born in Iloilo City to Dionisio H. Motong (deceased), a retired Vocational School Superintendent, Tondo School of Arts and Trades, Manila and Elena S. Gayapa (deceased), a former high school Principal of Panay College, Iloilo City. She graduated Salutatorian in high school at the University of Manila and studied Medical Technology at Far Eastern University.

Jane Cannon previously worked in the government service for more than 23 years in different positions such as Clerk, Disbursing Officer, Bookkeeper of Marinduque School of Arts and Trades, Chief Finance/Administration of the Ministry of Human Settlements, Provincial Action Center, Marinduque and Chief Cashier of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) in Manila.

Jane is very active in the Filipino American community here in Chicago. She became one of the Directors of the Dance Lovers Club of Chicago, and was a member of the Chicago Filipino American Lions Club (CFALC). She is the Chairperson of the Philippine Independence Week Committee 2017 Kickoff Committee to be held January 14, 2017, and is a member of Ladies for Rizal USA. She participates in fundraising activities of the Filipino Christian Community at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Niles, Illinois.

Jane has been a recipient of recognitions from the organizations that she is involved with. She received an award in ballroom dancing given by the Edison Park United Methodist Church/Dance Lovers Club in June 2006. She was a Hall of Famer in 2007 from the Red Hot Dance Club, Inc. for Filipino American Tango Award, together with her husband, David She was the Queen of the Dance Lovers Club of Chicago from 2007 to 2012. Jane received a trophy from the Pilipino American Social Services (PASS) for being the Most Popular Calendar Mom 2011, and was also crowned Mrs. Chicago PIWC 2011. At the Divine Mercy Community Steps & Sounds event in October 2015, Jane and her husband were firstplace winners of the Dance Competition.

She is married to David Cannon who is presently employed at Canon Solutions America as Critical Parts Specialist. Jane has five children and eleven grandchildren. Her children are Moonyen Uy (48), he is physically handicapped, Chingfin Uy Santos (47), College Instructor, EARIST, Cherie Uy Sajul (45), Nurse Clinician II, Lutheran General Hospital, Catherine Uy Ng (43), Teacher, Nolasco High School, and Nathaniel Uy (40), Purchaser, Siomai House. +

If you are interested to support JDCRF or become a member, please contact Jane through her email: janecannon3@ yahoo.com.

Jane Cannon, JDRCF Founder- President, holding a plaque from NAFFAA.

JDRCF Dance Performers during its 3rd Annual Anniversary Event: (L-R): Raquel/Don Porretto, Precy/Romy Jaravata, Alicia Monk/Moin Ali, Rose/Bong Hipona, Melanie Carlson/Tory Batacan, Jovy/Ralph Sirianni, Robert Chavez/Emma Azcarraga, Rosalina Gardner/Tony Mamucod and Jane/David Cannon. Not in picture: Susan Francisco/Mar Lapena.