Let’s get straight to the point:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado has received $325,000 from the Arby’s Charity Tour golf tournament and auction held July 17 at The Ridge at Castle Pines. Nationwide, the 10-year-old event has raised $18.7 million for charities that serve an estimated 45,000 children. Denver has been a beneficiary for eight years, thanks to the Golden-based Bailey Co., which owns and operates 58 Arby’s restaurants in Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is proud to be involved with the Arby’s Charity Tour,” notes BBBS president Dave DeForest-Stalls. “In all, we’ve received over $2 million from it, which has had a lasting impact on our youth.”
The inaugural J. Foust Family & Friends Golf Tournament, benefiting the nonprofit Neighborhood Ministries, begins with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Murphy Creek Golf Course, 1700 Old Tom Morris Road. The $85 fee includes a cart, range balls, a gift bag and awards dinner. John Foust and Jason Clark are the tournament directors; Neighborhood Ministries, 2959 Franklin St., teaches inner-city kids how to help themselves and eventually help others. To register, fax name and payment information to 303-296-8617.
A silent auction of select furnishings in the 2006 Parade of Homes is a highlight of the event’s Charity Night, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday. Guests can tour the homes until 8 p.m., and then adjourn to the Torciano home for dessert, wine and the silent bidding. Tickets are $20 and proceeds go to Cancer League. Call Angie Revak at Berkshire Homes, 303-457-1313.
The Junior League of Denver has named state Sen. Paula Sandoval its 2006 Legislator of the Year for her efforts on behalf of Colorado’s children. Sandoval, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee and serves on its Health and Human Services Committee, introduced bills to create a Kids First license plate to fund health and safety programs for children, as well as bills that strengthen penalties for child exploitation.
With much sadness we honor the memory of three who have departed this life much too soon: Priscilla Preston, Sandra Foxley and Ray Lechler. Preston, who many here will remember as Priscilla Serafin, died last month in Amarillo, Texas, eight days after learning she had brain cancer. The former American Heart Association staffer left Denver for Amarillo after marrying Bunky Preston, the son of poker champion Amarillo Slim; they eventually divorced, and she returned to Amarillo several years ago after jobs took her to other southern cities. Foxley and Lechler were both active in Denver social and philanthropic circles and will be remembered for countless acts of goodwill, the majority of which were known only to the recipients.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
