When the stars come out, benefits thrive. So how lucky was the University of Denver Bridge Project when George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John Madden, Charles Barkley, Jay Leno and John Elway all showed up for its annual moneymaker?
OK, so maybe the only one there for real was Elway because he was getting the organization’s Community Service Award. Everyone else was fair game for comedian Frank Caliendo, whose stand-up career and TV show is composed of one dead-on impression after another.
Pam Morris and Lulani Antillo’n chaired the dinner affair that was held at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center and emceed by CBS4 anchor Jim Benemann.
Elway was honored for establishing a charitable foundation that has contributed well more than $6 million to area children’s causes. In addition, Rich and Sandy Laws, owners of Berkeley Homes, were recognized for their leadership in opening the Bridge Project’s fourth student-mentoring center. It’s at the Quigg Newton housing project and will eventually serve 600 children per year.
The 500 guests included Gary and Leslie Howard, sponsors of the Bridge Project’s Miracle on Ice summer program; Phil and Elle Winn; Charlie and Regina Biederman; Gary and Terri Yourtz; Jerry and Lorna Gray; Charles Jordy and Brian Fun; Marty and Marie Herzog; Neil and Barbara Oberfeld; Lance and Julie Olson; Alec and Sherri Wynne; Joanne and Erica Singer; Jerry and Barbara Glauser; Lola and Rob Salazar; Bridge alum Lam Vo; and University of Denver Chancellor Robert Coombe with his wife, Julanna Gilbert.And, there’s more
Colorado first lady Jeannie Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper will be up with the birds this morning to riff on Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” at a breakfast benefiting Reach Out and Read Colorado. Ann and Hal Logan, Bruce Ducker, Nan and Spike Eklund, Karmen Carter and Mikee Kapelke helped plan the 7:30 a.m. do at the Denver Botanic Gardens. . . . The first John Parr and Sandy Widener Civic Leadership Award will be presented this evening at the Denver Foundation’s Tribute to Philanthropy reception, at 5:30 p.m. at the Denver Zoo. . . . Proceeds from Thursday’s 6 p.m. performance of “Pump Boys and Dinettes” at the Lakewood Cultural Center will go to the Inner Health Center. Call 303-382-0240. . . . Ray Merenstein, Colleen Thompson and Robert Newman are chairing the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s 25th anniversary gala, which takes place Saturday at the Sheraton Denver. Call 303-750-9474. . . . Night at the Library: When the Books Come Alive is the theme for the Denver Public Library Booklovers’ Ball. Kevin O’Connor, Janet Ellen Raasch, Sid Wilson, Sheila Cleworth, Hanne Lichtenfels and Joan Wohlgenant are chairing the dinner/ dance; tickets can be purchased at .
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@ .; also, .
