When the Brown Bag Benefit was launched 15 years ago, lots of people were willing to bet that it would come up aces for The Gathering Place, Denver’s only day shelter for women in the throes of homelessness and poverty. The local economy wasn’t terrific back then, and the BBB’s no-frills image fit the tenor of the times.
And talk about hitting the jackpot: To date, the BBB has raised more than $1 million for the emergency survival services The Gathering Place provides for approximately 300 clients per day.
|
|
And perhaps that was the reason the milestone edition had a casino theme, with 600 guests playing their cards right for a profitable start for two other celebrations on The Gathering Place horizon – a $7 million capital campaign that begins this summer, and the 20th anniversary of the organization’s founding.
An Evening in Monte Carlo, emceed by News4 anchor Molly Hughes, was chaired by Holly Johnson. Katie Johnson is president of the sponsoring Gathering Place Association, and longtime supporters Gary and Sandy Autrey were the honorary chairmen. The Autreys, along with Margie and Dave Hunter, were the evening’s Benefactor Sponsors.
Tribute was paid to the women who chaired Brown Bag Benefits or served as president of the association: Ann Bailey, Liz Clarke, Sue Combs, Jan Cortez, Sally Daniel, Cy DeBoer, Carolyn Dunn, Charleen Dunn, Liz Frawley, Judy Green, Anne Hackstock, Pam Ignat, Cheri Issel, Joy Johnson, Martha Kelce, Heidi Keogh, Lucy Kissinger, Jill Lucas, Debbie McCarty, Deanna Person, Diana Petrow, Shirley Pierce, Judy Polidori, Cindy Schulz, Ryta Sondergard, Diane Sweat and Joan Swinehart.
Gavels passed, sundaes served
When the Cancer League of Colorado installs new officers at a luncheon meeting on Thursday, Dave Weisberg will pass the president’s gavel to Jennifer O’Neill … Ice cream sundaes and espresso will be served from 5-6:30 that evening when Kevin and Mary McNicholas open the formal gardens at their Cherry Hills estate for a gift-gathering party for the Rocky Mountain MS Center Guild. Members are encouraged to bring fine wine, theater and sporting-event tickets, jewelry and restaurant certificates to be auctioned at the guild’s Aug. 12 benefit … On June 12, Randy and Alma Wirth, owners of Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast in Bailey, are hosting an auction and brunch to thank the Diana Price-Fish Cancer Foundation for the joy it brought to a friend of theirs who was battling cancer. The $25 admission (payable in advance by calling 303-639-9110) includes live music and Southern fare served buffet-style from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the inn at 5235 Park Court in Bailey … Karen Possehl will be installed as president of the Kempe Children’s Foundation Alliance at a luncheon June 14 at Denver Country Club. She succeeds Georgia Imhoff.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-820-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
More online: See additional pictures
from the Brown Bag Benefit. denverpost.com
