If a prize had been awarded for the couple that showed the most heart at a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the University of Colorado Cancer Center expansion, it surely would have gone to Ernie Blake and Sharon Magness Blake.If for no other reason than this: They bought tickets and arranged transportation so that 60 low-income seniors residing in Volunteers of America housing could attend.
It wasn’t the first time, either. “This is the third year for this benefit and the third time Sharon and Ernie have taken care of our seniors,” said Jim White, VOA’s manager of community services.
The Blakes chaired Hearts of All Ages with Pete and Marilyn Coors and Steve and Shannon Bangert. They also own Thunder, mascot of the Denver Broncos, and brought him along to pose for souvenir photos outside Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.
“This is such a wonderful event,” Steve Bangert said, “because it appeals to everyone. We cater from grandparents to grandkids and everything in between.” Attendance, Shannon Bangert added, has increased from 300 guests the first year to 800-plus in 2010.
Attire went from blue jeans to cocktail dresses, and diversions ranged from face-painting and balloon artists to silent-auction bidding and dancing to Big Bang. The buffets were themed for child and adult tastes, with selections ranging from mac ‘n cheese and hot dogs to Dungeness crab cakes and carved beef.
University Hospital president Bruce Schroffel was there with his wife, Lorrie; so, too, was Dr. Richard Krugman, dean of the School of Medicine, and his wife, Mary; Sally and Gordon Rippey; Edie and Mort Marks; retired dentist Julika Ambrose; Lyn and Dr. Michael Schaffer; Jeff, Nancy and Connor Thompson; Kathy Hatch; Dr. Anthony Elias, an oncology professor at the CU School of Medicine, and his wife, Ellen, a pediatrician; and Scott and Susan Brown. Scott Brown is president of Medi-Dyn, the event’s presenting sponsor.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
A show of heart(s)
Few fundraisers enjoy the widespread appeal that Hearts of All Ages has. In just three years, it has nearly tripled in size, thanks to good word-of-mouth and the hard work of three couples dedicated to raising money for University of Colorado Hospital. Joanne Davidson has more in her Inside Line column, above.
A toast to success
Its $20 million capital campaign is complete, and construction has begun, so the staff at Roundup River Ranch figured this was as good a time as any to thank its Denver-area supporters for their part in making this camp for children with life- threatening illnesses become a reality. Who was at the Governor’s Residence for the celebratory reception? Find out in Joanne Davidson’s Seen First blog:
All in good taste
The way to a guild member’s heart is . . . through her stomach? South-of-the-border fare, plus a couple of tasty adult beverages, is always a big draw when the two guilds supporting Girls Inc. of Metro Denver stage their annual Membership, Margaritas and Mojitos party. Read more about this event held at Lawrence Covell in Cherry Creek North by visiting .
Note: Scroll down to view more photos from these events.
