When you gotta go, you gotta go. But take it from one who knows, timing is everything when it comes to making a quick trip to the restroom when a charity auction is underway.
Steve Kris, one of the 500 who attended the University of Denver’s Bridge Project Gala, heeded nature’s call just as the bidding began for a 2006 Softtail Deuce donated by Chester’s Harley Davidson. When he returned to his seat in the Hyatt Regency Tech Center ballroom, Kris discovered the bike was his, thanks to a $26,000 bid placed by his tablemate and friend, Steve Roitman.
It was cool, though. “He seemed pretty happy to have it,” observed Charles Jordy, a Bridge Project board member and one of those who helped plan “A Night of Magic Can Open A World Of Opportunity.”
Developer Charlie Biederman chaired the dinner event with Troy G. Smith. DU’s chancellor emeritus Dan Ritchie was the honorary chairman and Joy Burns, the first woman to head the university’s board of trustees, was honored.
“Joy has done so much for the Bridge Project, the University of Denver and our community,” observed executive director Mary Krane.
A record $475,000 was raised that night for the Bridge Project, a community outreach initiative of DU’s Graduate School of Social Work. It provides college scholarships, one-on-one tutoring and other educational opportunities for children living in Denver’s public housing neighborhoods.
Emmy award-winning illusionist David Thomas came in from Las Vegas to entertain the crowd that included Jerry and Lorna Gray, Gary and Terri Yourtz, Phil and Elle Winn, Neil and Barbara Oberfeld, Gary and Leslie Howard, Pete and Marilyn Coors, Scott Reiman, Essie and Jordon Perlmutter, Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum, Mary Nell Wolff, Steve and Michelle Toltz and John and Carrie Morgridge. CBS4 anchor Jim Benemann was the emcee.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also has a daily post at denverpostbloghouse.com/davidson.
