Pawpurrazzi! You’re a Star at Puttin’ On the Max
Denver’s party animals were out in full force at this year’s Puttin’ On the Max gala to benefit MaxFund…and it went beyond the furry, four-legged participants in the pet parade. With a “Pawpurrazzi” Hollywood theme, 350 fun-loving guests hit The Brown Palace Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 7, for a glitzy gala to support Denver’s respected no-kill animal shelter and adoption center.
The 27th annual fundraiser began with a red-carpet cocktail reception and an extensive array of live- and silent-auction items amid splashy décor worthy of any star-studded celebration. Guests were equally as stylish in black-tie attire, with some taking up the “dress as your favorite movie star” suggestion.
“Johnny Depp” and
“Audrey Hepburn”
The evening’s dinner program was emceed by Denver’s favorite CBS4 weather and news anchor Ed Greene. MaxFund co-founders Bill and Nanci Suro told the crowd about the organization’s successes and monetary needs and thanked supporters, singling out Dr. Edward Eisner, vet tech Mario Alba (and Hercules the cat). With help from his grandson, Bill presented a tribute to sponsors with a series of skits. The program continued with a costume contest followed by a witty comedy set from veterinarian-comic Kevin Fitzgerald. The grand finale: a short pet parade featuring a group of MaxFund’s adorable, adoptable residents. Naturally, felines were the cat’s meow and canines were all top dog.
Dora awaits her red-carpet appearance.
MaxFund is a true no-kill animal shelter and adoption center that challenges the traditional methods of animal sheltering by leading the no-kill movement in Colorado. The organization strives to give animals—including the injured, abandoned and abused—a second chance at life. MaxFund is committed to develop and implement education programs pertaining to animal care, with emphasis on the importance of spaying and neutering…and to be a voice for the animals on issues of animal welfare. The organization cooperates with other animal facilities and shelters to accomplish these goals. For more information, please visit www.maxfund.org.
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- Denise and Marc Mathias
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- Leslie Lobojko (left) and Kristina Payne
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- (l to r): Lynn DeJohn, Guy Ohl and Gina Zaro
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- (l to r): Nef and Colleen Vargas, and Susan and Mark Sewald
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- The cocktail reception was held just outside the ballroom at The Brown Palace.
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- Tables are set for 350 guests.
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- The silent auction and cocktail reception
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- Chatting before dinner
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- Julianna and Jerry Malman
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- (l to r): Kathy and Bruce Elsey, Aaron WEtcott and Cynthia Zarlengo
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- John Howard and Carey Ribley
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- (l to r): Cliff and Judi Cantrell, with MaxFund co-founder and director Nanci Suro (center)
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- Jim (aka, Indiana Jones) and Jamie Dixon
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- Mario and Yesenia Alba
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- (l to r): Doug and Heather Gray, Dave Zwart and Mike Whisker, of Straitline Roofing
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- (l to r): Jennifer Adams, Eric and Anna Henriksen, and Ann Svec
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- Checking out the silent auction
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- Renee and Noel Custer
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- Mauzies Mays and Egin Bresnig, Jr.
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- (l to r): Paul Brooke, Stephen Ward, and Rachella and Mike Seeley
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- Capturing the moment
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- Rosemary and Ryan Evans, with Linda Viray (right)
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- Enjoying the decor with a fun pose.
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- Sisters Debra Boehm (left) and Cynthia Telsey, of Parties Extraordinaire, provided the star-studded reception decor
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- The Charlie Hugo table
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- Ed Greene, CBS4 weather and news anchor, served as a genial emcee.
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- FirstBank reps
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- The Shawna Quartet
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- Bobby Bunker group
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- Thunda from Down Unda
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- Tami’s table
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- Bev Blamby (left) and Karen Baum
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- (l to r): Carey Ribley, John Howard and Jen Smith
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- The Potpourri Table
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- MaxFund co-founders Bill and Nanci Suro got some on-stage assistance from their grandson.
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- Bill Suro
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- Nancy Suro
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- Nancy Suro welcomes the crowd.
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- The sponsors-appreciation skit included costumes.
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- Showing sponsor appreciation with a fun skit.
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- Table decor was the cat’s meow.
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- The men’s “favorite Hollywood star” costume contestants
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- Costume contestants await the outcome.
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- “Johnny Depp” and “Audrey Hepburn”
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- Auctioneer John Rinderknecht introduces the first item at the live auction.
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- “Sold!” says auctioneer John Rinderknecht.
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- Paige Curry and John Neville
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- Comedian-veterinarian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald marvels at his big-screen video image.
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- Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald enterained the crowd.
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- “…and the Oscar goes to…” Kevin Fitzgerald entertains.
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- Volunteers await the arrival of pet-parade dogs and cats.
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- Preparing for the pet parade
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- Daisy, a gentle one-eyed chihuahua, is ready for her closeup.
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- Dora awaits her red-carpet appearance.
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- This pretty kitty meows a greeting to a friendly MaxFund volunteer.
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- The purr-fect pose
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- Ed Greene, emcee and CBS4 anchor, with MaxFund co-founder and director Nanci Suro
