Ask Laura Barton, Ruth Beriault and Jan Casson if they see themselves as happy campers, and chances are the answer is going to be “yes,” thanks to their involvement with a new fundraiser called Janet’s Camp.
Plans for this “upscale and energetic evening” of games and camaraderie for adults were unveiled when 70 women – including Barton, Beriault and Casson – met for coffee at Janet Elway’s home. Janet and Jean Galloway are starting Janet’s Camp to raise enough money to send 250 youngsters to the YMCA’s Summer Day Camp in 2006.
Will it succeed? Most likely, considering the high-profile women who have signed on and the fact that Galloway had a big hand in establishing another of the city’s biggest benefits, Western Fantasy.
Jamie Angelich, who has chaired such major functions as the Children’s Hospital Gala, is heading the Janet’s Camp host committee and was responsible for bringing the YMCA benefit to the attention of such hard-working friends as Debi Medved, Julia Peay and Loretta Collier. She also helped recruit the Camp Counselor Steering Committee: David Alexander, Josh Hanfling, Lisa Herzlich, Dianne Honig and Kimball Howell.
Others who have thrown their support to the cause are 9News anchor Kim Christiansen; CBS 4’s Stephanie Riggs; Susie Wargin of 9News sports; Vicki Hattin; Beth Jackman; Pam Watson, wife of former Denver Bronco Steve Watson; Jane Netzorg; Maureen Regan; watercolor artist Cheryl Scott; Amy Sage; Valere Shane; Andi Smith; Dana Rebhun; Cherry Creek North publicist Christina Brickley; and Collage Cookies owner Anne Diamond.
Peggy Vandeweghe, whose husband, Kiki, is general manager of the Denver Nuggets, will be on the committee, too, as will former news anchor Aimee Sporer Caplis and Phyllis Coors.
What’s on tap
The co-founder of Denver’s Inner City Health Center, Dr. Duane Claassen, is retiring, and a reception in his honor will take place 2-4 p.m. Tuesday at the 3405 Downing St. clinic. … A free Christmas concert presented by the New Hope, Abundant Life and True Light Baptist church choirs begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd. … Poker players on your gift list might enjoy receiving a ticket to the second annual Full House Celebrity Poker Tournament presented by Amber Homes and hosted by Rob Blake, Dan Hinote, John-Michael Liles and Brad May of the Colorado Avalanche. They’re $150 each and include food, casino games and entertainment 6-10 p.m. Jan. 7 at the 1770 Sherman Street Event Complex. Proceeds to Kroenke Sports Charities, the Children’s Hospital Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Department and the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center. Call 303-356-7406 or visit amber homes.com/giving.shtml.
Let’s dance
The world knows actor John O’Hurley not so much for his roles in “Seinfeld” and on the New York stage as it does for his participation in “Dancing With the Stars.” About 500 Denverites, though, will forever hold him dear for helping make the Adoption Exchange’s 18th Fantasy Ball one for the record books. He told jokes and shared behind-the-scenes stories, but best of all he auctioned himself off twice for dances with two of the Exchange’s biggest supporters, Marian Aylmer and Marcia Christofferson. The ball was chaired by Ron and Nastassja Zapollo and Don and Judi Butt. Doug and Jane Moe were the honorary chairs.
Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
