Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb’s association with Denver Health runs from one extreme to another: He had prostate cancer surgery there in 1997; this past May, he chaired the Denver Health Foundation’s NightShine, where Lionel Richie entertained 1,600 guests and well more than $1 million was raised.
Webb also is a member of the Denver Health Foundation’s board of trustees and has held leadership roles in several of its benefits for men’s health initiatives, such as the Hot Rocks Grillers Challenge and the annual holiday shopping extravaganza at Hyde Park Jewelers.
So how does the organization say “thank you” for all he has done? How does the Wellington E. Webb Distinguished Chair in Community Health sound?
Webb learned of the honor Wednesday when he and other community leaders met to kick off a fundraising campaign for Denver Health’s Community Health Services. The $1 million they raise will be part of a $1.5 million endowment that bears Webb’s name.
“This endowment establishes an invaluable and inviolable income stream dedicated solely to Community Health Services,” says foundation director Paula Herzmark. “CHS serves patients in eight neighborhood health centers and in 13 school-based clinics, and is the largest community health network in the nation.”
Webb is leading the fund drive, and said he is honored to do so. “Denver Health has been integral to my life, as well as the health care provider for my family. At this stage of my life, I will continue to serve and give back to our community, but my emphasis is now on philanthropy rather than politics.”
Anyone wishing to donate is invited to call Karen Kennedy at 303-602-2972 or visit .
Coming right up.
Friends of Museo de las Americas gather Friday in the Adirondack Ballroom in the Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria campus for Rojo Central, a fundraiser featuring an hors d’oeuvres buffet, music and both live and silent auctions. Tickets are $65 for young professionals and $85 general admission. The $100 VIP-level tickets include a champagne reception immediately preceding the main event. Sign up via e-mail: pr@museo.org. … Cancer League of Colorado’s 15th anniversary Race for Research, honoring the memory of Michele Plachy-Rubin, is Aug. 21 in Washington Park. Register online at . … Judy Robins, Elaine Asarch, Bruce Plotkin, Daniel Feiner, Lisa W. Perlmutter and the American Jewish Committee are to receive awards when Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado holds its annual meeting Aug. 29 at Comedy Works South. … 9News anchor Adele Arakawa is mistress of ceremonies for the awards dinner that follows Golf for Hope, an Aug. 29 tournament benefiting the Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust. It’s at Glenmoor Country Club, starting with registration and box lunches at 10:30 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 11:30. Call Justin Zuiker, 303-715-3186.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
