A sure-fire way to beat the recessionary blues? Paint the town red, as a bunch of people did at Cancer League’s Ruby Red Celebration and Beacon Center’s Red Hot Ruby Ball.
The ruby themes were chosen because both groups are marking their 40th anniversaries. Cancer League, founded by Pat Lau, Carol Childs, Claudia Pasmus, Lori Ohlsen and the late Sally Ohlsen, has raised $8 million for Colorado-based cancer researchers. Beacon Center, established as Court House Inc. by Judge Marvin Foote, has served 15,000 abused and neglected teens.
The success each entity enjoys stems in large part from profoundly loyal followers. Executive director Anne Robinson has been with Beacon for 35 of its 40 years, while Annabel Bowlen, who started Beacon’s Cherish the Children Guild 17 years ago, remains an active supporter with her husband, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.
Cancer League began as, and remains, an all-volunteer organization. Life member Sandy Wolf Yearick, who served on the funds-allocation committee for several years, purchased two tables for the gala and launched the evening’s special appeal with a $25,000 donation.
7News meterologist Mike Nelson also has a long history with CLC, having emceed many of its fundraisers, including this one, in the 20 years since his wife, Cindy, was diagnosed with the disease. She’s a survivor and was among the 400 who took part in the gala held at the Grand Hyatt Denver.
One of Nelson’s pleasant tasks that night was to recognize four who have made significant contributions to the cause: Dave Weisberg, Dr. David Raben, Mario Marchello and Doug Moreland. Dealin’ Doug, either personally or in collaboration with colleagues in the field, has donated a couple dozen Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge vehicles over the years for the CLC to raffle off.
For the Beacon Center’s Red Hot Ruby Ball, interior designers Marc Roth and James Pfister gave a sizzling, club-like feel to the Hyatt Regency Tech Center’s grand ballroom, complete with elevated dance floor and lighting that gave the room a sexy, scarlet glow.
CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi handled the introductions, giving a special nod to the chairwomen (Jamie Angelich, Gayle Novak, Pamela O’Neal, Christina Richardson, Nancy Sevo, Ryta Sondergard, Sharon Sweeney and Annabel Bowlen) and to the honorary chairs, David and Bonnie Mandarich.
O’Neal and her husband, Michael, were given the Golden Cherub Award for their longtime support of Beacon Center, and president Vance Wagner accepted the inaugural Corporate Community Service Award on behalf of American National Bank.
The 600 guests included silent auction chair Layne Hunt and fiance Craig Fleishman; Ernie Blake and Sharon Magness Blake; Mort and Edie Marks; Mike Miller, chair of the Beacon Center board; Lydell Peterson and Mary Shea; Ren and Maureen Cannon; Marshall Fogel; John and Nancy Sevo; Rusty and Loretta Kelce; Diane Huttner; Marilynn and Kenneth Carroll; and Perry and Stephanie Odak.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@ ; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter.
