is all about bringing joy to the lives of nursing home elders — creating magic, if you will, by sending volunteers on visits where time is spent talking, listening, crafting, swapping tall tales or playing board games.
So when it came time to pick a theme for the nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser, An Evening of Music & Magic seemed like a logical choice.
Working with Bessie’s Hope founders Linda Holloway, Sharron Brandrup and Marge Utne, chairwoman Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons set the stage by engaging local talent Leonard E. Barrett Jr. to share the spotlight with comedian/magician Mark Robinson.
Barrett is a Denver-based singer and actor; Robinson has appeared on TV shows hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Jeff Foxworthy and is in demand as a headliner on the national corporate- event circuit.
The dinner also included presentation of the 2015 Community Angel Award to LaFawn Biddle, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Jamie Angelich, the 2014 recipient, was the presenter and likened Biddle to the Energizer Bunny for her boundless enthusiasm — and generosity — to organizations that include Friends of Nursing, St. Mary’s Academy and Bessie’s Hope.
The 225 guests included Claudia and Bob Beau- prez; former Cherry Hills Village Mayor Doug Tisdale, who is now the South Metro Denver Chamber’s executive vice president for economic development; Stephanie Bender; Beth Galoob Green; Wayne Connell; Lorraine Salazar; Bev and Don Black; Vickie Dow; Deborah Massa; Sue Ellen and Paul Goss; Amber Human; Cyndy and Tom Marsh; Susan Stiff; Terri and Al Fisher; Jan Hammond; Steve Edmonds and Charles Varin; Dave Fisher and Sandee Walling.
CBS4’s Ed Greene emceed the event presented by The Denver Post and Sue and Rich Jones and held at the Marriott Tech Center. Arlene Mohler Johnson was the honorary chair; Bob and Judi Newman sponsored the entertainment.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Online: More pictures from this event denv erpost.com/seengallery
