Denver has no shortage of good restaurants; so many, in fact, that it’s hard to keep up with them all.
Thank goodness, then, for events like the Invest In Kids Gala.
Instead of hiring one caterer or engaging one chef, organizers line up a host of top-tier eateries to assemble a cocktail party and dinner where each course comes from a different kitchen.
It’s a very convenient way to see what all the fuss is about without having to make a half-dozen reservations.
But this year, the fundraiser chaired by Holiday Goodreau and Catherine Goodwillie had a slightly different twist.
Instead of sitting to eat, the 530 guests were free to move about and sample specialty dishes from restaurants that included such “old” favorites as Vesta Dipping Grill, Solera and Elway’s and relative newcomers like Leña, Trillium and DiFranco’s.
“Chef Jensen Cummings, founder of , led our culinary charge,” says Lisa Hill, executive director of . “He and his wife, Betsy, developed our event theme, recruited the talented chefs and executed a flawless evening for our guests.”
The fundraising goal, Goodwillie adds, was $250,000, but when she and Goodreau finished counting, they found the goal had been exceded by $20,000. Which means that $270,000 had been raised for IIK’s efforts to be sure that Colorado children thrive.
In addition to dinner and dancing, the gala included two award presentations. Attorney Jerry Conover received the Community Impact Award while the law firm was given the Professional Impact Award.
Gov. John Hickenlooper was there to extend his thanks to those who support Invest In Kids. His former chief of staff, Roxane White, is IIK is responsible for the Nurse-Family Partnership’s growth and development in Colorado.
Sam and Nancy Gary, David and Deborah Younggren and Synergy Resources Corporation were the gala’s presenting sponsors. Former Gov. Dick Lamm and his wife, Dottie; Teri and Jon Kruljac; David and Pamela Trigg; Joe and Katie Magner and Michael and Mary Alyce Driver were among the guests.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
Supporting Denver Public Schools
About 1,000 guests help raise $975,000 by attending a gala hosted by the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Joanne Davidson has details in the Mile High Style blog: blogs.denverpost.com/style
