Stockbroker Barry Gatz is a good sport, but even he was ready to draw the line when Sally Newcomb dropped off the outfits that he and his wife, Pam, were to wear to the Families First spring fundraiser, Steppin’ Out With the Pink Flamingos.
“She’d put everything in a Starbucks bag and all I could see was a pink boa spilling over the top,” Gatz recalled. “My first thought was that I’ve worn some crazy stuff before, but no way was I going to go out in public with pink feathers draped over my shoulders.”
Not to worry, though. Neatly folded beneath the boa were the pink flamingo-and-palm tree aloha shirt and muu-muu that Sally and Gary Newcomb had brought back from Hawaii for the couples who’d be joining them for this dinner-dance celebrating the 20th anniversary of Families First, which offers a comprehensive array of services for children who have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused. The agency also has parent support and education programs, and a toll-free, statewide Family Support Line with bilingual staffing.
In 1986, the nonprofit Families First helped 100 families; executive director Jo Blum says the total has jumped to 5,000 families a year. A new Family Center is under construction and is expected to open in July to meet the ever-increasing demand.
Gail and George Johnson chaired the event, and persuaded their tablemates to unite in the pink-and-black theme. The men – Jack Fitzgibbons, Allan Frank, Keith Burge and Darrel Bryant – wore white dinner jackets, pink Polo shirts and hot pink, winged sunglasses like the ones Dame Edna would wear. Adrienne Fitzgibbons, Margot Gilbert Frank, Cindi Burge and Diane Bryant accessorized with boas that matched their pink feathered earrings. Gail Johnson is a longtime member of the Families First board.
Terry Traynor got in the spirit by donning a hot pink wig; Mieko Bailey went all out with pink slacks, stockings and angel wings. Pink also showed up on Kristina Davidson (stilettos); Jody Gruben (hose); Dr. Tom Gargan (shirt); and Marissa Zufall (maternity smock).
Gayle and Gary Ray were introducing Michael Dulan to Families First; he’s the new regional president of Key Bank, moving here from Atlanta, and signed off on having his financial institution be one of the benefit’s Emerald Sponsors. The Rays also were joined by their neighbors Tom and Mary Anne Beauchamp.
Barb and Gary Reece were the corporate chairmen and set the pace by having their PBJ Reece Foundation and MDC Holdings/Richmond American Homes step forward as major benefactors. Gary Reece is the latter company’s chief financial officer; Barb sits on the Families First board.
Board president Jeff Modesitt was there with his wife, Leslie, and Cindie LoSasso, president of Friends for Families First, was accompanied by her husband, Lenny. Toby Pippin was the honorary chair and was given the Friend of the Children Award in appreciation for the years that she and her late husband, Larry, gave to the cause.
Others taking part in the fun were Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan and his wife, Peggy; past gala chairs Jon and Sue Burns with Jeanne Clifford of Broomfield, who is in the midst of setting up an equine therapy program for soldiers injured in Iraq; Rick and Aldona Seymour with Walt and Nijole Rasmussen; Emmett and Marsha Duemke; Debbie Gray; Jane and Skip Negzorg; Anne and Ralph Klomp; Mary Margaret and Gary Wright; Deedee and Jim Creighton; Debbie Gradishar; Gail and Harry Doby; Margaret Garbe; Suzanne Handler; Lynn and Steve Hinkle; Karen and Darrell Eastwood; Penny and Glenn Malloy; Gayle and Ed Novak; Pam and Doug Kelsall; Jodie and Gene Hohensee; Kaye and Monty Music; Linda and Dr. Brent Smith; and Brooke and Brad Parker.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
