It wasn’t the least bit puzzling when The Adoption Exchange announced that Nastassja and Fox-31 news anchor Ron Zappolo were to receive its highest honor, the Wednesday’s Child Award.
Their support spans a 15-year period and includes contributions that range from the simple (Ron signing an autograph for a young fan) to the cherished photographic portraits that Nastassja has taken for countless adoptive families.
“Many of the children that we serve have never been included in a family photo,” observed executive director Dixie van de Flier Davis as she helped Tony and Trish Crawfurd and their adopted children Elijah and Samaiah present the award at Fantasy Ball 2009: You Are the Missing Piece.
“It’s a very loving and important thing for them,” Davis added.
Brad and Carol McNealy chaired the ball with BJ Dyer and Guenther Vogt. Dyer and Vogt own Bouquets, and provided the jigsaw puzzle-inspired, lime green and fuchsia decor.
The $315,000 that was raised represents a 14 percent increase over last year, they said.
Former honorees Larry and Jill DiPasquale were there to oversee the all-Italian menu their Epicurean Catering designed for the occasion; Larry also donated Italian wine from his personal cellar for those seated at the head table with the Zappolos to enjoy with the meal.
The 450 guests enjoying entertainment by Kelley Hunt also included auction chair Dale Pope; Ray Nutt, Tim Campbell and Mike Allen of the sponsoring Regal Entertainment Group with their wives, Suellyn Nutt, Bobbi Allen and Wendy Campbell; Lisa and Bill Chirico; Cindy and Scott Affelt; Sandy and Jim Padgett; Barb and Fred Fielder; Susan and Tom Larkin; Vicki and Trygve Myhren; Marlene and Ben Krell; Jody and Ed Gruben; Hillery and Jeff Meir; and emcees Brooke Wagner and Tom Mustin of CBS4.
This and that
Former Denver Broncos Billy Thompson and Rich Karlis were among those attending a benefit screening of “The Blind Side” at Hollywood Theaters’ Southglenn Stadium 14. The $9,000 that was raised goes to Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and Food Bank of the Rockies … Sue Fishkoff, national correspondent for JTA Jewish News Service, will be here Tuesday to speak at a luncheon to recruit table captains for CHOICES 2010. CHOICES, a benefit for Allied Jewish Federation that is underwritten by Sue Allon and Andrea Pollack, takes place Feb. 17 with best-selling author Jennifer Weiner (“In Her Shoes,” “Little Earthquakes”) as the keynote speaker. Learn more by calling 303-316-6466.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
