We may be living in a high-tech world, yet before we can get things moving at 4G speed, some basic nuts and bolts need to be mastered.
And by blending technologies, Goodwill Industries of Denver took things to a new level at its 15th Power of Work Luncheon.
The 725 guests weren’t told to put away their smartphones; instead, emcee Mitch Jelniker encouraged everyone to whip them out and put them to work. Folks could text congratulatory messages to the afternoon’s honorees that would be live-streamed on the big screens at the head of the Sheraton Denver Downtown Plaza Ballroom; vote for their favorite success story; or make a donation to Goodwill that would appear on their next phone bill.
With the phone donations, ticket sales and sponsorships, the event raised $86,000.
The event planners took a chance with the lunch menu, opting for gnocchi with sausage and peppers that was a welcome departure from the usual chicken; centerpieces meshed tradition with urban cool by putting arrangements of red roses in vases filled with nuts and bolts. Carrie Mesch, chair of the Goodwill board, proudly announced that everything she was wearing, “from my earrings to my shoes,” had been purchased at a Goodwill thrift store.
Todd Munson, market president at JPMorgan Chase, was given the Community Leader Award, and four whose lives have been enriched by Goodwill services or employment were recognized for their achievements.
Stephanie Watson, who described herself as “a survivor of life’s circumstances,” received the Family Strengthening Award; Robert Medley, who has autism and works at Goodwill’s Iliff store, was given the Opportunity Award. The Inspiration Award went to client Mary Greer, while Brandon Garcia de la Cruz took home the Bright Future Award for overcoming negative influences and earning straight A’s in high school.
Goodwill’s president, Jesse Wolff, welcomed a crowd that included Jamie Van Leeuwen, Martin Pocs, Kelly Brough, Rob Cohen, Mary Hanewall, Jim Chavez, Barb Jones, Scott Bemis, Andy Boian and Tim Welker.Coming right up
Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping, 1547 S. Colorado Blvd., celebrates its grand opening by hosting Kickin’ It for Special Olympics Colorado, an interactive cocktail party that begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. RSVP to 303-756-2639. . . . The Public Education & Business Coalition presents the Cal Frazier Investing in Education Award to retired Piton Foundation president Mary Gittings Cronin and Charles Ward, president of Qwest Colorado, at a Thursday luncheon at the Colorado Convention Center. Sign up at .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
