The story of a single mom named Cora, who is getting her life back on track thanks to New Genesis, a transitional housing community that also works to build awareness of the homeless problem in Denver, is the inspiration behind a pledge to make the Lucky 7s Date & Experience Auction a huge success.
At a cocktail reception that launched the ticket-selling effort for the Oct. 11 benefit, founder and chief executive officer Page Peary described how Cora arrived at New Genesis last Christmas, toting a 3-year-old and a newborn. She’d recently been released from the state penitentiary, where she’d been incarcerated on methamphetamine charges, and was determined to turn her life around.
“This young mother has maintained steady employment, found quality day care for her children and works hard in our counseling sessions to maintain sobriety,” Peary noted. “Cora’s success is exciting. Her future is ahead of her, and (the outlook) for her and her children has changed dramatically since she entered New Genesis.”
Angela and Erik Osborn opened their home for the kickoff party, and welcomed a crowd that included event chair Douglas Kerbs of Fuller Towne & Country Realty, who announced that the co-chaircouples are Deviree Vallejo and Dan Brown; Scott Coors and Dr. Dave Hurt; Andrea and Philip Gray; Holly and Rich Kylberg; Bonnie and David Mandarich; Kristin and Blair Richardson; and Sarah Siegel- Magness and Gary Magness.
Lucky you!
Lucky 7s features seven of the city’s most fun bachelors and bachelorettes who put together a one-of-a-kind date or experience to be sold to the highest bidder. Last year, the event raised $40,000 – enough to assist 35 previously homeless clients with housing, job training and life skills. The benefit was started by Donna Crafton and Bradley Joseph, who are on the committee this year. It will be held at Mile High Station, with One Lincoln Park as the presenting sponsor and Panzano restaurant providing the food.
Goodies for the kickoff were supplied by Capital Grille (lobster, crab cakes, bite-size duck pizzas and sesame-encrusted ahi on won ton crisps) and the Sutra Room, which will also host the Lucky 7s after-party.
Guests included Kasia Iwaniczko; Mike Meyrick, chairman of the New Genesis board; and such board members as Salim Haji and Vicki LaLone; Tom Lorz; Martha Kelce; Kevin Joseph; Tamike Pumphrey; Jacob Fleck; Tandy Williams; Eric Trujillo and Heather Gallien of Idee-Force, which is donating the promotional materials for Lucky 7s; and comedian J Marc, one of the participating bachelors.
To learn more about New Genesis, visit .
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at .
