Staying hydrated is especially important when temperatures are as high as they are now. And over the course of the past few days, 1,600 Denver-area residents found they could wet their whistles and raise money for a good cause.
Two successful young entrepreneurs — Clayton Christopher, the 35-year-old founder of Sweet Leaf Tea, and Tony Walker, the 37-year-old co-founder of Denver-based Spicy Pickle Restaurants — are the brains behind the triple-purpose event.
Christopher, a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor for three years in central Texas, first donated a free bottle of his iced tea or lemonade to any Spicy Pickle customer who made a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters-Colorado during the week ending July 26. Spicy Pickle, in turn, met each donation with a $1 contribution of its own. The promotion culminated with 17 BBBS “littles” decorating, setting up and running their own iced tea and lemonade stands at 16 Spicy Pickle restaurants.
Christopher and Walker met with the young merchants at the group’s headquarters at 9:30 a.m., offering tips for running a successful business and how to maximize sales before the youngsters, accompanied by their mentors, or “bigs,” adjourned to their assigned locations.
“This was a great opportunity for our children to learn entrepreneurial skills while contributing to an innovative fundraising effort,” noted Dave DeForest-Stalls, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters-Colorado. The goal was to raise $10,000.
More good stuff
• The Denver Art Museum’s signature fundraiser, Collector’s Choice, will be on Sept. 20. Chairmen are architect Peter Dominick and Jana Bartlit, who with husband, Fred, will be hosting the Denver Dumb Friends League benefit, Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ, on Aug. 16. Patti LaBelle is the headliner for that one, and word is that Collector’s Choice also will have big-name entertainment. Stay tuned.
• You’d better get your tickets now because even though the Jersey Boys Bash isn’t until Dec. 13, it’s bound to be a sellout. Frances Owens and David Alexander are chairing the $500-a-ticket gala that includes cocktails and dinner in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, followed by a performance of the Tony award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” in Buell Theatre. It’s a benefit for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts; call 303-446-4815.
• To honor the memory of its friend and long-time member, Esther Kenny, Denver Ballet Guild has established a scholarship fund in her name. President Virginia Danna explains that because Esther had a special interest in the guild’s Young Dancers Competition, donations to the Esther Kenny Scholarship Fund will enable the guild to give a $5,000 award each year to a promising young dancer. Donations can be sent to 25 Huntwick Lane, Cherry Hills Village, 80113.
Check out the August issue of Colorado Dog magazine for a piece on Macy’s special events gal Jan Blankennagel and her pup, Sophie.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
