It’s not often you attend a charity event that transports you to Venice, Italy. With the help of vivacious circus performers and elaborate Venetian carnivals masks, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel was dramatically transformed for an evening of fundraising and frivolity.
As guests entered the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation’s 34th Heart of Hearts Gala, they were warmly greeted by volunteers and eccentric performers from Bella Luna Cirque. Instantly, Denver’s chilly weather was forgotten. Dancers twirled around the room, entertaining the guests with their whimsical charm. A gondolier manned his rowing boat, while couples and friends posed for photos. And a stunning masked lady stood tall above everyone, balancing on stilts and waving to the crowd.
After cocktail hour and the silent auction, guests were invited to enter the main ballroom. The room was jaw dropping gorgeous. Everywhere you turned there were captivating performers and decor. Near the stage, dancers were suspended on hula hoops. Their grace was mesmerizing. White birds flew around the room on the tall sticks carried by masked Venetians. The atmosphere was simply magical, and guests couldn’t help but pull out their phones to capture the scene.
The Henry M. Porter Award was given to Jim Boyle, President and CEO of Summit Leadership Solutions and former CEO of Porter Adventist Hospital. Boyle received this award for his continuous generosity to the hospital foundations and the community. He specializes in leadership development, board development and executive coaching. The Henry M. Porter Award is named for Henry M. Porter, the original philanthropic donor to Porter Hospital.
Proceeds from the Heart of Hearts Gala support women’s breast cancer departments within Avista, Castle Rock, Littleton, Parker and Porter Adventist Hospitals. Over $66,000 was raised with the evening’s paddle raiser. This total will be used to provide free mammograms and breast cancer care for under served individuals in the community.
The generosity of sponsors and individual donors is greatly appreciated, as one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and one in 1,000 men will face a diagnosis. Donations will fuel support groups, treatment options and integrative therapies.
If you would like to learn more about Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation and make a donation, please visit www.rmahf.org.
-
- The balancing juggler entertained the guests with his Italian accent and tricks
-
- The elegant mask theme was present in the table decor
-
- An assortment of entertainment was found through out the ballroom
-
- A graceful ribbon dancer
-
- Hula hoop dancer
-
- Hula hoop dancer
-
- Guests were in awe of the towering masks
-
- Amazing acrobatics
-
- Stunning table decor
-
- The costumes were extraordinary
-
- Heart of Hearts Gala
-
- Barry Smith and Audrey Smith
-
- Deedra Hoffart and Susan Rich
-
- Suzanne Burlage, Candace Stutson, Annie Stallings
-
- Ines-Hsu Tok and Linda Schlegel
-
- Randy Haffner, CEO of Porter Adventist Hospital and Cynthia Haffner
-
- Becky Creighton and Kristen Olsen
-
- Marcia Cedars, Karen Liley, Joyce Hurd
-
- Marcia Cedars, Karen Liley, Joyce Hurd
-
- Radhika Acharya and Jodi Widner
-
- Belinda Biddle, LaFawn Biddle, Barbara Galoob
-
- Beth Wekerle and John Wekerle
-
- Entertaining the guests
-
- Becky Barts and Marsha Jones
-
- Janet Gilliland and Dr. JD Gilliland
-
- Robin Hibbs and Nate Hibbs
-
- A Bella Luna Cirque performer
-
- Teri Fouts and Kelley Kovar
-
- Brenda Lambert, Kirk Hulbert, Russell Tafoya, Antonia Tafoya
-
- Carl Fitch and Kelly Haecker
-
- Patti Sibley and Glen Sibley
-
- Donna Carpenter and Rex Carpenter
-
- Megan Zeidlik and Mark Zeidlik
-
- Megan Zeidlik and Mark Zeidlik
-
- Sarah Young and Jim Young
-
- Tony Burke and Camille Thompson
-
- Lindsey Daughtry and Jeremy Shelton
-
- Arleen Richardson and Dale Richardson
-
- Stephen Duntley and Laura Duntley
-
- Steve Trevino and Nanci Trevino
-
- LaFawn Biddle and Grace Samuleson
-
- Becky Barts, Becky DeOliveira, Jophet DeOliveira
-
- Mike Roche and Carla Meyer
-
- Anne Staeheli and Anthony Fasciano
-
- Carol and Murphy Huston
-
- Silent auction
-
- Rob Bogin and Kim Bogin
-
- Silent auction
-
- Doni Jones and Marble Jones, Executive Director of Littleton Adventist Hospital
-
- Geoff Isaak, Geoff Isaak, Executive Director of Avista Adventist Hospital and Laura Fitch, Director of Events
-
- Silent auction
-
- Holly Spenst and Brett Spenst, CEO of Littleton Adventist Hospital
-
- Holly Spenst and Brett Spenst, CEO of Littleton Adventist Hospital
-
- Doni Jones and Marble Jones, Executive Director of Littleton Adventist Hospital
-
- Lisa Weaver and Steve Weaver
-
- Julie Ammon and Edward Ammon, Interim President of Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation
-
- Edward Ammon, Interim President of Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation and Julie Ammon
-
- Lisa Weaver, Steve Weaver, Beverly Rodie, Donna McClain
-
- Laura Fitch, Director of Events, Carl Fitch, Andrea Fitch
-
- Cocktail hour entertainment
-
- Bella Luna Cirque
-
- Bella Luna Cirque
-
- Julie Ammon, Edward Ammon, Interim President of Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation, Deana Alfonso, Events Coordinator
-
- Guests were greeted by Bella Luna Cirque dancers
-
- The beautiful lady on stilts
-
- Floating through Venice
-
- He kept still the entire cocktail hour
-
- Guests were presented with a mask as they entered
