When you think about it, what better night for the 2014 than one where the temperature is subzero and the wind is beginning to howl?
For starters, folks will be very happy to trade work clothes for jammies, slippers and a robe. And, venturing out on such a frigid night will reinforce how lucky they are to have a roof over their head and food in their tummies.
The ninth annual Mayor’s PJ Party brought 350 friends of to the on Feb. 6 for an evening that included breakfast and brunch treats from , the , and the ; prize giveaways and music from Nelson Rangell and his jazz band.
There was also a martini luge sponsored by , a photo booth and other nibbles from culinary students at .
It raised $251,000 for what Bennie Milliner, executive director of Denver’s Road Home, describes as programs designed to “put homelessness to bed.”
Walter Isenberg, president/CEO of , started the Mayor’s PJ Party with his friend, Evan Makovsky, co-founder of . The Residence Inn is a Sage property.
The PJ Party, Isenberg said, “Not only raises money and awareness, but also highlights the Denver business community’s commitment to ending homelessness.”
Gov. John Hickenlooper, who started Denver’s Road Home when he was mayor, once again wore his floor-length red night shirt to the party; Mayor Michael Hancock had other events to attend that night, too, so he made do with a PJ Day T-shirt and maroon robe worn over his dress shirt and slacks.
Kelly Mix, Patrick Gallagher and Lauren Carlson came in “Ghostbuster” coveralls, while Amanda Stelter braved the chilly temps in a long-sleeved T-shirt, flannel shorts, fur-lined boots and knee socks. Paula Henry, “chief catalyst” at PH Balanced Consulting and a personal stylist at , wore slippers shaped like a kangaroo; fiction writer Heather Martin’s slippers were shaped like a rhinoceros. Kenton Kuhn, co-founder of , had zipped himself into a custom-made onesie patterned with black and white bow-ties.
Others enjoying the party were ‘s Zee Ferrufino; president Brad Meuli; Mike Pritchard, chief financial officer for ; Jim Guttau and Jolinda Cohavi, public relations director and marketing director, respectively, at the ; Erin Pulling, president/CEO at ; principals Cori Plotkin Streetman and Sarah Hogan; and Terrell Curtis, executive director of .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, davidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Online: Pictures from this event denverpost.com /seengallery
