For 21 years, the Mizel Museum’s Community Enrichment Award Dinner has been the place to be in late May. People swarm to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in droves, ready to rub elbows with fellow luminaries from the worlds of politics, business and social responsibility.
This year, with the very popular Sharon Magness Blake as the honoree, the numbers shot through the roof.
Two thousand tickets were sold, and $1.4 million was raised at an event that included appearances — both in person and on video — by some of the honoree’s famous friends: Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood, John Elway and Thunder, mascot of the Denver Broncos.
Both Brooks and Greenwood filmed separate videos to offer congratulations and apologies for not being able to be there in person. One of them, though, told a little white lie.
As Greenwood’s video faded to black, the familiar chords from his signature number, “God Bless the USA,” filled the museum and the award-winning vocalist appeared from a far corner of the room to sing the song that brought the crowd to its feet and Magness Blake to tears.
CBS4’s chief meteorologist, Ed Greene, summed up the moment quite nicely by declaring: “Sharon, Oprah has nothing on you.” Later, Greene served as Thunder’s voice as a videographer streamed live images of the sleek Arabian lavishing praise on “Mom” from another part of the museum.
Magness Blake was recognized for her far-reaching philanthropy, efforts that have raised at least $50 million for causes that include the Colorado chapter of Volunteers of America, the Denver Council of Boy Scouts of America, the University of Colorado Hospital Foundation, the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. She is perhaps best known for founding VOA’s principal fundraiser, Western Fantasy.
“What has always struck me about Sharon is how comfortable she is with all people,” observed Gov. John Hickenlooper. “She is literally right at home with some of the biggest stars in show business, but not at the expense of others. Few have her level of grace; there’s always such a sense of joy around her.”
“I’ve never met anyone like Sharon,” adds Ellen Premack, the Mizel Museum’s executive director. “She’s the embodiment of a mitzvah; she really brings the word to life.”
The museum’s founder, Larry Mizel, presented the award to Magness Blake and was obviously moved by the testimonials offered on her behalf. “I was warned that she might cry; it didn’t occur to me that I would, too,” he admitted.
“This is an incredible award and a wonderful evening,” Magness Blake said, adding with a wink that as she looked out at the crowd, it was fun to see that the guests included both loyal friends and “a few who run every time you see me approaching at a cocktail party.”
Her philanthropy, Magness Blake said, comes from a place of gratitude. “During hard times in my life there was always someone there for me, and now that is what I want to be: someone who can help those in need.”
Premack said the money raised enables the museum, at 400 S. Kearney St., to continue its exhibits, events and educational programs that help people of all ages and backgrounds celebrate diversity.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
