On a Sunday morning when they could have been sleeping inor nursing bumps and bruises from the previous night’s game — members of the Colorado Avalanche headed to the Hyatt Regency Tech Center to serve brunch.
They weren’t hoping to augment their salaries by picking up a few extra bucks in tips. They were helping their wives or girlfriends raise money for charity; specifically, $75,000 that went to Children’s Hospital, Teammates for Kids and Kroenke Sports Charities. That sum brings the cumulative total raised to $775,000.
The Avs Better Halves Charity Brunch began with players and coaches serving scrambled eggs, bacon and other morning favorites to a crowd that filled the hotel ballroom to capacity. Once everyone had been fed, the athletes headed to a changing room to don suits and sportswear from Dillard’s for a walk on the runway with youngsters who are, or have been, patients at Children’s.
The models included 13-year-old Avery Griggs and 2-year-old Logan LaPedis.
Avery’s father, Tim Griggs, is senior vice president/general manager of Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountains, and her mom, Jackie Brown-Griggs, is the hospital’s former public relations director. Logan’s parents, Aaron and Sandee LaPedis, own the Fascination Street gallery in Cherry Creek North.
Paul Stastny, Tomas Fleischmann, Milan Hejduk, David Koci, Peter Budaj, Joe Sacco, Cody McLeod, John-Michael Liles, Sylvain Lefebvre, Ryan Wilson, Jay McClement, Matt Duchene, Peter Mueller, Brandon Yip and captain Adam Foote were among the players who modeled.
Coming right up.
Monica Owens and Quinn Washington both turned 30 this month, and they’re celebrating with a cocktail party at the Tavern Downtown on Saturday night. Revelry begins at 7, and the suggested $10 admission goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. . . . Members of the Glendale Raptors Rugby Club will be out in force for STEPS (Stride to End Pediatric Sarcoma), a 3K charity walk that Dani’s Foundation is staging at Infinity Park on April 2. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the $25 fee is payable at the door. . . . A Splash of Silver is the theme for an April 8 dinner and auction marking the 25th anniversary of the Gathering Place. Sign up at . . . . April 8 also is the date for Kempe Takes Paris, a fundraiser that promises plenty of ooh-la-la. Former Colorado first lady Jeannie Ritter, plus Dr. Steve Berman and his wife, Elaine Gantz Berman, will be honored at this $250-a-ticket event held at the Marriott City Center; register at . . . . The 17th Avenue Allstars will sing doo-wop favorites from the 1950s and ’60s for Happy Days, the April 9 dinner and auction that will aid Glory Community in its ongoing efforts to help developmentally disabled adults live more independent lives. 9News traffic reporter Amelia Earhart emcees the 5 p.m. event held at the Arvada Center; the $80 tickets can be purchased by visiting .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
