The Academy Awards and the Golden Globes may attract the stars, but when it comes to a feel-good event, no red carpet or sparkly figurine can compare to the Developmental Pathways Client Achievement Awards.
Tears and smiles — every single one of which was genuine — were abundant at this dinner celebrating the “extraordinary achievements of people with developmental disabilities.” It was held Friday night at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. Frances Owens and Claudia Beauprez were the co-chairs and Jake Jabs was the honorary chairman.
Jabs, whose American Furniture Warehouse helped sponsor the event, has long been a leader in helping the differently abled. In addition to Developmental Pathways, Jabs has been a benefactor to causes that range from Easter Seals to City of Hope.
KUSA-TV Channel 9 news anchors Kim Christiansen and Mark Koebrich helped Developmental Pathways executive director John Meeker present the following awards:
Achievement in Athletics, Melissa Stokes; Achievement in Personal Growth, Earl Piotrowski; Achievement in Employment, Carol Lang; Russ Oberlin Community Volunteer Award, Donna Schrader; Client Artist Award, April Wolf; and the Frances Owens Family Involvement Award, Michelle Sie Whitten.
When their daughter, Sophia, was born with Down syndrome, Michelle and Tom Whitten vowed to do everything in their power to ensure that she led a life that was both active and productive. Michelle’s parents’ charitable foundation gave $34 million to start the Linda Crnic Institute at Children’s Hospital and another $2 million for the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome, also at Children’s.
Coming right up
Foot Candy, a cocktail party, shoe fashion show and pampering party benefiting the Colorado chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at Macy’s Cherry Creek. A minimum $10 donation can be paid at the door. . . . Moonlight and Roses is the theme for the annual food and decor showcase put on by the Denver chapter of the International Special Events Society. This year, it’ll be fashioned after a high school prom, with festivities beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hotel Magnolia. Proceeds go to the Denver Rescue Mission, Food Bank of the Rockies, Colorado AIDS Project, the Shining Stars Foundation and SafeHouse Denver. Details are at ises . . . . Morris Animal Foundation will receive up to $10 from each ticket sold for select seats at Friday night’s Nuggets game at the Pepsi Center; learn more by visiting . . . . As a prelude to its May 9 Red Hot Ruby Ball, Cherish the Children Guild is having a martini party April 9 at Brasserie Felix. The restaurant will treat guests to complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 6 to 8 p.m. and donate 50 percent from each martini sold to Beacon Youth and Family Center. Sign up at brasseriefelix restaurant@gmail.com.
Denver Post society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, . davidson
