Lots of laughs were had at the 3rd Annual Laugh Yourself Blue event benefitting Firefly Autism on Wednesday, April 16th. The Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex was alive with humor and excitement at the event, in honor of Autism Awareness Month in April. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, games and a silent auction, all benefitting the organization, before sitting down to a catered dinner and program detailing the work of Firefly Autism and a stand-up comedy show. Eric Goodman, host of Morning Drive with Goodman & Pritchard on Mile High Sports Radio, served as the event’s emcee and Honorary Chairs were recognized at the event, including Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, former Secretary of the Interior and U. S. Senator Ken Salazar, Sandy Wolf of the Melvin and Elaine Wolf Foundation and Denver news icon Ron Zapollo. Lt. Governor Joe Garcia and Honorary Chair Ken Salazar addressed the crowd and gave out awards to two individuals who were recognized for their passion and dedication to the organization and the families and children they help. Diane Raba and Gary Moore were both honored for their work over the years at Firefly Autism. Chief Communications and Neighborhood Outreach Officer, Rowena Alegria, from the City and County of Denver Mayor’s Office, read a mayoral proclamation officially naming April 16th, 2014 Laugh Yourself Blue for Firefly Autism Day. Firefly’s VP of Social Responsibility and Development, Jesse Ogas, as well as board member and mother to a Firefly graduate, Amy Bittner, each addressed the crowd expressing the importance of continuing and expanding the work of the organization. A live auction hosted by Adam Kevil and paddle raiser followed the dinner and program and many great auction items were sold at the event. Denver’s own Troy Walker opened the comedy portion of the evening, with comedian and actor Justin McKinney, who has been seen on Comedy Central, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Blue Collar Comedy Next generation following as the entertainment headliner and his post-dinner stand-up act had people laughing into the night. Firefly Autism works to transform the lives of children with autism. Partnering with families, we create life-long relationships through thoughtful, innovative, empirical learning treatment programs. Find out more at FireflyAutism.org
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The live auction was hosted by auctioneer Adam Kevil
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Board member Amy Bittner shares her story of how Firefly Autism helped her son
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VP of Social Responsibility and Development Jesse Ogas addresses the crowd
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Rowena Alegria from the mayor’s office shares a mayoral proclamation naming April 16th, 2014 Laugh Yourself Blue for Firefly Autism Day in Denver
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Ken Salazar, left, and Joe Garcia present the Firefly Luminescence Award to Gary Moore
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Diane Raba receives this year’s Firefly Luminescence Award from Ken Salazar and Joe Garcia
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Former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar presents the night’s awards
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Lt. Governor Joe Garcia says a brief welcome before presenting the awards
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Emcee Eric Goodman addresses the crowd
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The Seawell Ballroom was alive with excitement over the many great silent auction items
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Kifungua Ma’at, with Karen Nakandakare and Pamelah Maragh
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Bianca Sanchez and Stacey Roberts
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The evenings emcee, Eric Goodman, from the Morning Drive with Goodman and Pritchard
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Amy Taylor, left, with Charlene Byron and Jenny Blankenship
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Guests enjoyed live music during the cocktail hour and dinner
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Kelsi Harris, left, with Steven Smith, Amanda Kelly and Jenny Blankenship
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From left, Emmy Conroy, Ingrid Julyk and Leslie Gallery
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Marcel Chehin and Ashley McCreadie
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Maura and Scott Spangler, left, with Steve Shaffer
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Yolanda Quesada and Luis Colon
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Brooks Engel, from La Piccola Venezia, creates a custom painted mask for the event
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From left, Jamie Torres, Perla Gheller, Monica Guardiola and Carrie Warren
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Krysten Howerton and Jenny Blankenship
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From left, Jaime Scourfield, Molly Pavelick and Mavina Barthelemy
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A bag toss game was enjoyed by many, with the winner receiving a trip to Aspen
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From left, Boris and Lindsay Kagan, Natalie long and Shane Pageau
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Noah Stevens, left, with Lily Dicker, Zach Shitama
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Donald Wallis, left, with Travis Neal
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From sponsor Walmart, Monet Hires, left, with Krystal Than and Laura Brooks
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Robert and Roberta Loeb
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Debra Bartleson, left, and Maria Lopez
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Dawn and Chris White
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Peter Hodges and Ashly Wolf
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Guests enjoyed a silent auction and cocktail hour before the program began
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Honoree Diane Raba, left, with Rita Coltrane
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Marilyn and Kris Anderson
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Gretchen and Jeff More
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Bottles of wine could be purchased at the event for $20, with proceeds benefitting the charity
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Volunteers Jordan Mitchell, left, and Jennifer Acosta
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Melissa and Jason Zuel
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Lynette Richardson and Karen Hinkel
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Guests bid on silent auction items during cocktail hour
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Gabriel Salazar, left, with Mark Yamashita and Clarinda Salazar
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Chris Silberman and Tamara Awendando
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From left, Donna Marie Provenzano, Cindy Epstein and Sierra Romero
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Debbie Ward, center, with Brandon Friel and Debbie Watson
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Mike and Bobbie Montey
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The Seawell Grand Ballroom decked out in blue, the color for Autism awareness
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Volunteers greet guests as they arrive at the Seawell Ballroom
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Monica Guardiola, left, and Rebeca Ontiveros arrive at the event