Someone — I think it was Denver Scholarship Foundation development guru Myles Mendoza — recently started a Dean Prina Fan Club of North America page on Facebook.
The page attracted about a zillion members within minutes of going live, but guess what? The much-loved Denver pediatrician isn’t even on Facebook.
He says he’s flattered to have a page named for him, but instead of spending hours at the computer reading posts on the social networking site, he’d much rather be out “going and doing” for the 30-plus charities he supports.
Prina’s hands-on approach to charitable giving was rewarded when Metro Volunteers gave him its lifetime achievement honor, the Heart of Volunteerism Award, at a reception held at the Cable Center.
The event organized by Jackie Norris and Todd Bacon was held two days before Prina’s greatest triumph: chairing the Denver Scholarship Foundation’s inaugural fundraiser, “An Evening With George Will.”
Its $1.4 million profit set a record for a first-time fundraiser in Colorado.
Gov. Bill Ritter and his wife, Jeannie, were there to see Prina accept the Heart of Volunteerism Award; the three of them have worked hand-in-hand on behalf of causes ranging from Project PAVE and Bright Beginnings to the Kempe Foundation and the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund.
Other groups that have benefited from Prina’s involvement include Adam’s Camp, Outward Bound, Rose Community Foundation, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Girl Scouts of Colorado, the Civic Center Conservancy and Colorado AIDS Project.
Coming right up.
An al fresco Cowboy Ball, benefiting Colorado Ballet, begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at FG5, the home and studio that artist Carrie Fell shares with Steve Guenin in Parker. The $50 admission includes cocktails and a light supper, followed by an excerpt from “Rodeo.” RSVP to Tiffany Grady, 303-339-1722. . . . The Volunteers of America Guild launches its new year Oct. 7 when Janice and K.C. Jones open their Cherry Hills Village home for a brunch and informal modeling of clothing from the Larimer Square boutique, Mariel. Prospective members are welcome; call 303-671-7257. . . . The first Georgia R. Imhoff Philanthropist and Volunteer Extraordinaire of the Year Award will be presented Oct. 7 at a reception hosted by Blacktie-Colorado. Jamie Angelich is chairing the 5:30 p.m. event that also recognized those named to Blacktie’s Have You Met? Hall of Fame. The party’s at the Sheraton Denver Downtown, and tickets can be purchased by callling 303-832-2903. . . . Also that night, Girl Scouts of Colorado honor their Women of Distinction at a cocktails and hors d’oeuvres bash that Barbara Kelley and Sharon Linhart are chairing at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom. Call 303-778-8774. . . . “Typical” banquet fare won’t be found Oct. 8 when the Parkinson Association of the Rockies offers Travel With Taste: An Evening of American Cuisine at Glendale’s Infinity Park Event Center. “Pick your destination, and we will pick your menu,” advises Amy Fuller-Gorman, who is accepting reservations for the $250-a-ticket event. Choices range from Atlantic coast seafood to spicy delights typical of the American Southwest. Call 303-830-1839.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter.
