When Sister LaVonne Guidoni was raising money for the abused and neglected children that she held so dear, she’d end every telephone call — and most face-to-face conversations — with an enthusiastic “Thanks a million!”
The nun, perhaps best known for her work at Mount St. Vincent Home, died last summer, but had a poll been taken at the 2007 Silver Bell Ball it’s safe to say that most if not all of the 1,000 guests would have agreed it was no coincidence that the event easily surpassed its $1 million goal.
When all was said and done, the glittering extravaganza chaired by Karen Bye, Chris Kelley and Roselyn Saunders wound up with a net profit of $1.2 million for the day- and residential-treatment programs that Mount St. Vincent Home has offered for 125 years.
In addition to honoring Sister Guidoni’s memory, the ball’s big attraction was Dancing for the Kids, Denver’s version of the popular TV show “Dancing With the Stars.”
Nancy Sevo, Eula Adams, Stephanie Riggs, Holly Kylberg, John David Tynan, Laura Moore, Leigh Sullivan-Guard, Sean McNicholas, Joana Canals and Penny Parker spent about four months training with professional terpsichoreans from Colorado Dancesport for their moment in the spotlight.
Everybody was a winner, but the two biggest prizes went to Sevo, a past chairwoman of Do At The Zoo, and her partner, Mitch Kibel; and Canals, fitness reporter for Fox-31’s “Good Day Colorado,” who danced with Joey Santos. Judges Cleo Parker Robinson, Terry Vitale and Douglas Kerbs presented them with the People’s Choice and Judges Award, respectively.
Sevo and Kibel also were voted sexiest couple, while Adams, chief operating officer for Pay By Touch, and partner Bridget Ellis were cited for rhythm and style. Kylberg took home the trophy for unique and edgy for her pasodoble with Toby Munroe; Riggs and partner Robert Nardozza snagged the Spirit of Dance award.
Fancy Footwork honors went to Sullivan-Guard; McNicholas’ sultry samba with Lindsey Dechant earned the Artistic Flair award. Tynan took the Spirit of Competition honor for his turn with Harmony Lyris; Moore and partner Brook Metcalfe were named Dynamic Duo after their spirited swing dance. Parker and partner Misha Belfer got the nod for Terrific Timing.
