Everything that’s good and exciting about New York – especially its unparalelled nightlife – came to Denver when the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation held its annual Dream Gala.
There were Broadway vignettes, street performers and snippets from the Broadway classic “Annie,” featuring the JDRF Youth Ambassadors. The young performers, all of whom have Type 1 diabetes, received a standing ovation after singing “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow” for the guests.
The crowning moment, though, came when chairwoman Julie Roitman announced that the event had raised a record $920,000 – or 57 percent more than the 2005 Dream Gala.
A big portion of the proceeds came from a live auction in which a tractor pull donated by Wagner Equipment was sold three times, bringing $30,000, and a trip to Tehama, actor Clint Eastwood’s golf resort in California’s Carmel Valley, donated by Tehama, Frontier Airlines and Quail Lodge. It sold twice, for a total of $46,000.
The Dream Gala also paid tribute to Walter Isenberg and his Sage Hospitality Resources. For the past several years, guests at every Sage hotel nationwide have been encouraged to donate to Dollars for Dreams, with the money going to selected charities, including JDRF. Sage employees also support JDRF through voluntary donations.
The Dream Gala was held at the new Hyatt Regency Convention Center and was emceed by CBS4’s Molly Hughes.
This and that
East High School’s Angelaires entertained Wednesday when Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center celebrated its 25th anniversary at a dinner at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. The 6 p.m. event was planned by Renee Augustine, Cindy Bennett, Hilary Johnson, Mimi Klein, Sarah Porter Osborn, Nancy Thompson and Nancy Vogel; the host committee includes Mayor John Hickenlooper, Sharon Magness Blake, Rebecca Love Kourlis, Dr. Dean Prina, John and Anna Sie, Lauren Casteel and federal judge Wiley Daniel.
AWARE, which supports Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, is having a membership tea today at Janice and KC Jones’ new home in Cherry Hills Village. Kathy Klugman and Dawn Nakamura-Kessler are chairing the 3 p.m. event. Terrie Lee Fontenot is AWARE’s president. Call 303-355-6995.
Tonight, the Volunteers of America Guild celebrates its 10th anniversary by honoring founder Irene Zarlengo at a dinner held at the Grand Hyatt downtown. Mary Rossick Kern and Diana Murdy are chairing the 6:30 p.m. event emceed by Ed Greene of CBS4 and KYGO Radio. Entertainment is by Scott Scully, who is making his Opera Colorado debut as Pedrillo in “The Abduction From the Seraglio.” Call 303-297-0408.
The Tux & Turquoise Ball, benefiting Cancer League of Colorado, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. Chairwomen Cindy Goldberg and Georgia Mucilli say that the evening includes music by Fiddlocity during the pre-dinner silent auction and art gallery sale; dinner emceed by 7News weather anchor Mike Nelson; a live auction called by Gary Corbett; a raffle drawing for a 2006 Jeep Commander; dancing to the Nacho Men; and a dessert and liqueur bar. The honoree is Dr. Paul Bunn, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Tickets can be purchased by visiting blacktie-colorado.com/RSVP and using the event code T&T.
Saturday night also is when the Colorado Nurses Foundation presents its 21st annual Nightingale Awards Dinner. Festivities begin with a silent auction at 5 p.m. at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St. Dinner, emceed by Kim Christiansen of 9News, is at 7 and the award ceremony follows. Clay Yeager, president of the Nurse-Family Partnership, is the guest speaker. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling Corinne Koehler, 303-758-4291.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
