A Night Under the Stars: RMC’s Annual Gala Shines

When Rocky Mountain Communities talks about nuts and bolts and building a foundation, it’s more than the physical aspects of providing affordable homes for those in need—it’s about also creating emotional stability and a sense of home. This year’s annual dinner and gala focused on the synergy of deserving residents, hard-working volunteers and generous donors with “A Night Under the Stars,” a gathering that provided both meaningful moments and lots of fun. On Saturday, Nov. 2, around 200 landed at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum to celebrate their positive results and talk about continuing their mission.

Kathy Stafford, with President & CEO Dick Taft

The evening began with a silent auction, cocktail reception, and museum plane-perusing and open-cockpit tours before guests were seated for a tasty dinner provided by Biscuits and Berries. Affable Mike Nelson, chief meteorologist for 7News, emceed the evening’s program with his usual friendly professionalism. Always ready with amusing anecdotes, he also offered the crowd a bonus weather prediction about the trends and conditions that promise a bountiful snow pack this year. Board chair Todd Crowley and RMC’s president and CEO, Richard Taft, talked about the good works and successes of RMC, while Community Manager Linda Griego and resident Danielle Castaneda provided personal accounts of the organization’s impact on their lives. Nelson then presided over a live auction, with impromptu help from wife Cindy Nelson—the dynamic duo enticed higher bids throughout. After a successful fundraising session, guests kicked up their heels to the swing-band sounds of Tuxedo Junction.

Taft writes: “Rocky Mountain Communities believes that having a stable, affordable home provides the foundation of support needed for dealing with many of life’s other challenges. We do this for our residents—for the mothers and fathers working two or three jobs; for the refugees and immigrants starting over in a new country; for the children striving hard in school to learn all they can so they can one day have a good home for families of their own.” RMC not only provides physical housing for its residents around the state, but also programming that includes literacy, nutrition, health and cooking education, social gatherings, senior activities and community gardens. For more information, please visit www.rockymountaincommunities.org.