The playing field for a charity fundraiser rarely resembles a football stadium. Except, of course, when it actually is a football stadium.
Invesco Field at Mile High was the setting for the Jay Cutler Foundation’s inaugural Party at Six With No. 6, and an all-star lineup turned this home-field advantage into a $100,000 win for several Colorado charities.
One of the best strategists in the benefit biz, Sharon Magness Blake, was signed, along with Cutler Foundation chief Marty Garafalo, to map out a game plan that would result in certain victory for such foundation-supported causes as Mount St. Vincent Home, the Rev. Leon Kelly’s Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives and Dedicated to Diabetes.
They, in turn, drafted a starting lineup strong on tackling sponsors and sacking anyone who hesitates before whipping out checkbook and pen: Christian Anschutz, Peter Coors, Larry DiPasquale, Ed Greene, Barry Hirschfeld, Bill McCallum, Dick Robinson and Rick Sapkin, to name just a few.
CBS4’s Vic Lombardi provided the play-by-play and Lee Greenwood was brought in to star in the halftime show.
Several of Cutler’s teammates — wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal; tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris; and tight end Tony Scheffler — shored up the defense by donating, buying and/or autographing many of the auction items; and a half-dozen or so Denver Broncos cheerleaders dropped by to be photographed with some of the VIP guests.
When the Club Level doors opened, Gov. Bill Ritter, mayors John Hickenlooper of Denver and Ed Tauer of Aurora and former Colorado first lady Frances Owens were among the first to arrive. They were followed by 300-plus others, including attorneys Ernie Blake, Norm Brownstein and Craig Fleishman; Anne and Ralph Klomp of Trice Jewelers; Jean and Dr. Ben Galloway; Wells Fargo Bank’s Kevin Long and his wife, Natalie; Kerry Kinnard; Irene and Dianne Zarlengo; Realtor Rollie Jordan; Holly Kylberg; Bradley Joseph; Steve and Brandis Pelletier; Donna Crafton; Nancy and Jeff Thompson; Jing restaurant’s Michael Ditchfield; and University Hospital president Bruce Schroffel.Coming right up.
The Central City Opera’s L’Esprit de Noel holiday home tour opens Friday in Denver’s Belcaro Park neighborhood; it runs though Nov. 23 and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tickets available at the Phipps Tennis Pavilion. . . . Nouveau at Night, a dinner benefiting Ballet Nouveau, begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Westin Tabor Center. Erica Jorgensen, Kim DeLashmit and Robin Repass are the co-chairs; for tickets, call 303-466-5685. . . . Asleep at the Wheel headlines the Adoption Exchange’s 21st Fantasy Ball being held Saturday at Seawell Ballroom. Call 303-755-4756.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
