The ‘s Gala on the Bridge is one of Denver’s most unusual fundraisers.
C’mon: Other than the next day’s After Party on the Bridge — an event skewed to a younger demographic that also benefits the Greenway Foundation — just try to name one other that takes place on an actual bridge.
And where an increasing number of guests arrive via motor scooters, pedicabs and bicycles, or by hoofing it from their condos, lofts and apartments in the neighborhoods surrounding the Central Platte Valley.
Simply put, Gala on the Bridge is so popular because it is so much fun. The evening began with a cocktail hour with lots of food, music and drink and continued with dinner, from . The meal was served under a decorated canopy on the bridge and concluded with the opportunity to linger over moonlit nightcaps and coffee.
Chaired this year by Steven Katich, director of business development and government relations for , the gala also was the occasion for the Greenway Foundation to present its Friend of the River Award to former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
“When I moved to Denver in 1971, the last place anyone wanted to visit was the South Platte River,” Katich recalled. “What a mess it was. Forty years ago there were no parks, trails, apartments or condos in the Central Platte Valley. It was toxic down here.”
Over the next four decades, the late Joe Shoemaker and his son, Jeff, who for the past 32 years has been the foundation’s executive director, worked with political and civic leaders to reclaim, enhance and protect the river and its tributaries, turning an eyesore into something beautiful, an area that young and old enjoy.
Mayor Michael Hancock, along with past Friend of the River award recipients Wellington Webb, Mark Smith, Dana Crawford and Chris Shears, attended Gala on the Bridge. So, too, did Greenway Foundation board chair Kip Stastny and vice chair Bar Chadwick; and such committee members as Laurie Helmick, Jeff Hermanson, Wendy Aiello and Mike LaMair.
Also, Dan Kelly, vice president of name sponsor ; Denver’s deputy mayor, Cary Kennedy; city parks and recreation manager Lauri Dannemiller; Marge Price and David Howlett, principals in ; Jody Martinez, co-owner of ; Evan Kline, managing broker for ; Dee Chirafisi and Jim Theye, broker/owners of ; and Amanda Rovira, general manager at .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Online: More pictures from this event denverpost.com/seengallery
Round 2 with dr. drew
In 2010, addictions specialist Drew Pinsky (pictured) spoke at the first Arapahoe House Luncheon; he returned this year with plenty to say about substance abuse and the good job the Denver-based nonprofit is doing to help clients get back on their feet. Joanne Davidson has details in the Mile High Style blog
blogs.denverpost.com/style
