When Libby Weaver outlined the problem – how the number of abused and neglected children in the 18th Judicial District greatly exceeds the CASA volunteers who look out for them – she was reasonably confident the problem could be solved.
She just didn’t expect it to happen right then and there.
Weaver was emceeing the 10th anniversary Red Wagon Ball with her Fox-31 News co-anchor Ron Zapollo when she told the 430 guests that Advocates for Children needed twice the amount raised at the previous year’s ball to recruit and train enough additional court-appointed special advocates, called CASAs, to meet the current need. A CASA volunteer serves as the voice of the children, making sure their best interests are served during the legal proceedings that determine their fate.
Her words, coupled with auctioneer Gary Corbett’s knack for separating people from their money, resulted in a net profit of $350,000 – or $170,000 more than the previous record.
A major chunk of that money came from Simon and Shellie Moore of Elizabeth, whose Town and Country Foods was the ball’s presenting sponsor. Weaver’s words so moved Simon Moore that he surprised even his wife by donating an additional $50,000, bringing their total gift that night to $107,000.
“At our first Red Wagon Ball eight years ago, we were just starting our business,” Shellie Moore recalled. “Simon was so moved that night that he donated $800, which was the best we could do at the time. Each year since, our business has become more and more successful, and we’ve considered it our great privilege to continue sharing our good fortune with Advocates for Children.”
Since that first ball, Shellie has been appointed to the agency’s board of director and currently serves as its chair.
In addition to their own generosity, the Moores contributed to the ball’s success by inviting their friends Larry and Karen Lommen of L & K Ranch in Elizabeth. The Lommens purchased $27,000 worth of merchandise in the auction and contributed an additional $50,000 during the Sponsor a Child portion of the program.
Amy Leonard chaired the event for the sixth year in a row while the founder, Valerie Lunka, was surprised when she was given the Speaking Up for Children award. Colorado Avalanche boss Pierre Lacroix and his wife, Coco, were given the Friend of Children Award.
Guests included state Rep. Nancy Todd and her husband,Terry; Rabbi Steven Foster and his wife, Joyce; Wes and Kris Becker; Hal Roth, chief financial officer for the Colorado Rockies, and his wife, Connie; Steve and Karen Gottesfeld; Ted and Cindy Senko; Bill and Karen Young; restaurateurs Kevin and Marcie Taylor; Jack and Janie North; Graham and Heather Benes; Laird and Stephanie Blue; Mike and Amy Krza; Pat and Linda Sullivan; Rod and Jill Tabberer; Larry Pieters; and Rob and Allison Melun.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also posts at denverpostbloghouse.com/davidson.
More online: Additional pictures from the Red Wagon Ball denverpost.com/SeenGallery
