Forget everything you’ve heard about unlucky 13. Already it’s proving to be a lucky number for the Volunteers of America’s signature fundraiser, Western Fantasy.
With country music superstar Trisha Yearwood headlining the Oct. 28 event, organizers are predicting it will raise at least $1 million, bringing the cumulative total to an impressive $15 million.
“We’ve relied on the best and the brightest to make this thing work,” said co-founder Sharon Magness Blake, “and this year is no exception.”
The leadership for Western Fantasy 2006 was introduced last week at a deluxe cocktail party and buffet supper that Magness Blake hosted at the Pepsi Center’s Blue Sky Grill. Bill McCallum, who retired as president and CEO of Great-West Life & Annuity Co. at the end of 2005, is chairing the benefit with his wife, Yvonne. Corporate committee leaders are Jeff Potter of Frontier Airlines and Tom Marsh of Lockheed Martin.
“I’m retired so I’ve got the time,” Bill McCallum said, adding that his wife agreed to share responsibilities with him on one condition: that he do all the talking. “It’s just like at home,” he said. “I talk and she does all the work.”
Yvonne did step to the microphone long enough to say that the theme was “Dancin’ and Diamonds” and that she hoped female guests wouldn’t hesitate to “up the fashion quotient” this year by choosing formal Western wear for the big night.
A more casual denim-and-prairie skirts look has evolved since Western Fantasy’s early days, when nearly all of the women wore fancy leathers, custom-crafted boots and formal gowns inspired by the legends of the West.
Co-founder Jean Galloway announced Hyde Park Jewelers will furnish the bling that several lucky guests will scoop up at Western Fantasy’s pre-dinner Panning for Gold booth, and that Neiman Marcus Cherry Creek would once again be the setting for the pre-event patron party. It will be Sept. 13, with Elizabeth Byrnes Crony as the chairwoman.
Store manager Christel Dikeman was at the kickoff party, along with such past Western Fantasy chairs as Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld and Jay and Kristina Davidson. Last year, the Hirschfelds were honored as VOA’s Humanitarians of the Year.
Jack and Adrienne Fitzgibbons, who co-chaired the Stars and Spurs ticket committee in 2005, were sharing the happy news they became second-time grandparents on April 2 when her son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Julia Porterfield of Phoenix, welcomed their first child. Abigail Florence Porterfield (great-grandma is Florence Ruston) entered the world at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and has already made her first trip to Denver to meet her extended family.
Bryan Pulte, immediate past chair of the VOA board, attended the kickoff with his interior design partner, Pam Kelly, and said he was off to Sanibel Island, Fla., to finish up on a local client’s vacation home; Phyllis Coors and Dave Graebel were off to Hawaii the following day; and Realtor Rollie Jordan was introducing Michael Dunahay of Vacation Solutions.
Others enjoying a buffet that included carved turkey and prime rib and a make-your-own fajita bar were VOA-Colorado President Dianna Kunz; the new board chairman, Dave Rye, and his wife, Valerie; Faye and Dr. Reginald Washington; Susan and Carl Barnhill; Pat Robinson; Carol and Brad James; Sue and John Simos; Brandis and Steve Pelletier; Lyn Schaffer; Nanette Kikumoto with daughter A.J.; Stan Sena; Westin Westminster developer Tim O’Byrne with publicist Susan Stiff; David Alexander; Cindi Burge; Bradley Joseph; and Herminia Vigil, president of the Volunteers of America Guild.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
