Who doesn’t love dogs? And several well-trained service dogs from the non-profit Freedom Service Dogs were on hand for the FSD’s Diamonds in the Ruff. The annual fundraiser, held Saturday, October 20th, served as the inaugural event for Wings Over the Rockies: Exploration of Flight facility located near the Centennial Airport in Littleton, Colorado. The sold-out gala raised a record amount of approximately $330,000 with more than 500 guests enjoying this year’s theme: Year of the Dog.
Allison Peltier, Karen Moldovan, Lisa Davenport
FOX31 Anchors Aristea Brady and Jeremy Hubbard served as emcees. Former Denver Broncos running back Reggie Rivers returned as the auctioneer extraordinaire. Guests enjoyed a demo featuring service dog-in-training Squints, shopped the fabulous silent and live auctions, and purchased flutes of champagne for the chance to win a one-carat, custom diamond pendant, donated by Larry Blauweiss of Fifth Avenue Designs.
FSD President/CEO Michele Ostrander welcomed the crowd and reviewed the past year’s programs which was followed by a service dog demonstration, program video, and live auction. Among the highlights of the evening was the demonstration by service dog Squints who followed commands to the letter including painstakingly picking up a credit card from a slick stage floor. This year’s Diamonds In The Ruff (DITR) Event Chair was Lani Kessler who with her team of 21 DITR committee members ensured a smooth celebration. Live auctioneer Reggie Rivers generated a lively competitive bidding war for several stuffed golden retrievers, travel packages and other gift items and general donations.
Based in Englewood, Colorado, Freedom Service Dogs provides well-trained service dogs to military veterans, children with autism and people with mobility disabilities to handle life tasks which enable them to regain their independence.
Guests enjoyed an Asian-inspired buffets, silent and live auctions, special entertainment by vocalist, Navy veteran and FSD Client Angela Walker (accompanied by service dog Brave) with guitarist Chris Winter, and a drawing for a diamond pendant (designed and donated by Larry Blauweiss of Fifth Avenue Designs). Several FSD clients and their amazingly trained service dogs were on hand throughout the evening.
This year’s Presenting Sponsor was VISA. Silver Sponsors were: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Denver Life Magazine, Jay’s Valet, Decorative Materials. Bronze Sponsors: Giovanni, TCA ETrade, Baird, FOX31, Mile High Sports Magazine, and The Denver Post. For more information visit the web site at freedomservicedogs.org or call 303-922-6231.
-
- Guests enjoyed the silent auction under the tent at the new Wings Over the Rockies Centennial facility
-
- This year’s Diamonds in the Ruff was the very first event for the Wings Over the Rockies venue in Centennial
-
- The theme for 2018: Year of the Dog
-
- Presenting Sponsor VISA ensured a well-attended and successful event
-
- Special Thanks to Newberry Brothers and Annie O’s
-
- Among the highlights of this annual event are the well-trained service dogs
-
- Year of the Dog was the theme this year
-
- Silent and live auctions helped raise funds for this signature event
-
- Dog trainer Morgan Karol demonstrating service dog skills with trainee, Squints
-
- Allison Peltier, Karen Moldovan, Lisa Davenport
-
- Kevin and Carole Shaw
-
- Karen Coleman and Addie Coleman
-
- The Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight facility in Centennial opened this summer
-
- Molly Pilch, Gilda Kaplin
-
- Freedom Service Dogs Board Chair Tom Scanlan, Nadine and Andrew Pace, and Squints
-
- Christina Turissini, Diane Dubose
-
- Lucy and Michael Mullins
-
- More than 400 guests attended the annual Diamonds in the Ruff
-
- Margot Hampleman, Nancy Jeffrey
-
- Guests took advantage of several funding opportunities
-
- VISA was the presenting sponsor for the 2018 Diamonds in the Ruff event
-
- Phillip Cameron, Claire Duclos, and Holly Cameron with Frosty
-
- Sheri and Mike Folsom
-
- Aimee Ross, Stephanie Baigent, Denise Daniel, Sharon Santella
-
- Aimee Ross, Sharon Santella
-
- Kristen Teuscher with Lizzy
-
- FOX31 Anchors Jeremy Hubbard and Aristea Brady served as emcees
-
- Shirley Shinefeld with Pike
-
- FOX31 Anchors Aristea Brady, Jeremy Hubbard with Diane Dubose and Christina Turissini
-
- Cathy and Don Kennedy try to get Tater to smile
-
- Todd and Kristen Narlinger
-
- Karen Moldavan, Ursula Huber, Lisa Davenport
-
- Hudson Teuscher with Lizzy
-
- This year’s Diamonds in the Ruff was the inaugural event for the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight facility
-
- Freedom Service Dog Staff Member Nadine Pace with husband Andrew Pace
-
- Cassidy Foster, Sam Bradway, Megan Beigl
-
- Annie Ohman, Devon Smitly
-
- Uniquely designed centerpieces
-
- The Year of The Dog centerpieces reflected the evening’s theme
-
- Live auction bidding was extremely competitive
-
- Live auctioneer Reggie Rivers kept the crowd entertained and inspired generous fundraising
-
- Foothills Animal Shelter Staff Member Stephanie Baigent and FSD Staff Member Kate Goble
-
- Aristea Brady, Bob Neuberger (FSD Staff), Jeremy Hubbard, with Nadine Pace and Erin Conley (FSD Staff)
-
- These adorable stuffed Golden Retrievers representing “Squints” the Service Dog were auctioned off within minutes
-
- An eclectic music list was performed by FSC Client Angela Walker and guitarist Chris Winter
-
- Freedom Service Dogs President/CEO Michele Ostrander (center) with friends
