
Some 300 guests gathered at the Denver Art Museum for the Las Madrinas Tribute 10th Anniversary, a fundraising event for Denver’s Centro San Juan Diego (CSJD), which this year honored six individuals and/or organizations who have supported the Centro’s Bienestar Family Services program.
Among the honorees at the Saturday, May 17th event was Sister Alicia Cuarón who founded Bienestar Family Services in 2004 to provide social and economic help for Spanish-speaking immigrants to Denver. Today, Bienestar provides various programs for low-income individuals and families through education, legal services, leadership and small business skills to integrate Hispanic immigrants into the Denver community.
After the invocation by Sister Rita Cammack, Centro San Juan Diego Director Luis Soto and Event Chair Timi Aguilar reminded guests of the Bienestar’s work and commitment to Hispanic immigrants and to the community as a whole.
Among this year’s two dozen corporate and individual supporters were the three primary sponsors including the Denver Art Museum, Colorado Rockies and the Marycrest Franciscans.
Mistress of Ceremonies Belen de Leon of 9News acknowledged the award winners and brief video bios were aired before the award presentations. Event auctioneer, former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers entertained guests and persuasively kept bids competitive. Growing up in San Antonio,Texas, Rivers picked up and mastered some impressive Spanish-speaking skills and even shared some stories and anecdotes en español.
Luncheon award winners featured a cross-section of the Denver community representing broadcast journalism, real estate, non-profits, visual arts, and a Roman Catholic Order.
Among this year’s six honorees were:
Mario M. Carrera, Chief Revenue Officer of Entravision Communications Corporation received the Estrella Award given to those who provide outstanding volunteerism.
Gracie Casias, Business Development Officer for the Heritage Title Company, received the Madrina Award given to women role models who demonstrate untiring dedication to their community.
Roberto Rey, multicultural Outreach Director for AARP of Colorado, received the Rebozo Award given to an organization or individual who provides personal and financial resources in support of Bienestar programs.
Sister Rita Cammack, OSF accepted the Corazón Award on behalf of the Sisters of St. Francis for their love and dedication to further the growth of Bienestar.
A Special Tribute went to Sister Alicia Cuarón, OSF. As the founder and program director of Bienestar Family Services, she is a life-long advocate of Latino issues in business, leadership and empowerment for women and the underserved. With numerous community accolades, in 2008, she was inducted into the CO Women’s Hall of Fame for contributions as a business/civic leader and human rights activist and was presented the Athena Award by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Also recognized was Special Guest Francisco Romero, an international artist and creator of “Lupita” artwork for Las Madrinas. A native of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, Romero graduated with a degree in Interior/Graphic Design from the University of Juarez before immigrating to the U.S. to exhibit his work. Inspired by the works of Fernando Botero and Diego Rivera, his use of color is vibrant and aggressive with themes portraying humorous social situations reflecting his love for Mexico.
The Las Madrinas or The Godmothers event honors an individual’s personal dedication and devotion “to nurture and ensure the personal and spiritual development of another individual.” Every year, Centro and its Bienestar Family Services program reach more than 6,000 individuals in the Denver area. For more information visit www.centrosanjuandiego.org
- Mariachi Lupe Vargas performs prior to Madrinas event
- A trumpet player from Mariachi Lupe Vargas welcomes guests to Las Madrinas Tribute 10 year Anniversary
- The registration desk was busy processing guests
- Alfonso Lara, Jennie Marquez, Juan Carlos Reyes
- Analisa Merkle, Esther Mondragon Luben, Timi Aguilar
- Colorful paper decorations filled the hallways
- Guests enjoyed themselves at the reception
- Patterned designs in perforated tissue paper or “papel picado” provides a colorful festive background
- Kaylynn Webster, Abram Leon, Citlalith Medrano
- Kaylynn Webster, Citlalith Medrano
- Larissa Thumim, Beverly Coleman, Tatiana Thumim, Irma Castaneda
- Lindita Torres Winters holds a decorative plate from the silenct auction
- Guests enjoyed a silent auction reception
- 5 members of Mariachi Lupe Vargas kept the party going
- The guitarron is a key instrument for all mariachi bands
- Marisol Villagomez, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Jennie Marquez
- Martha Vargas, Jorge Paredes, Viviana Martinez
- Michelle Atencio, Lindita Torres Winters
- Las Madrinas was held at the Denver Art Museum this year
- The silent auction included a wide variety of items
- Rita Flores de Wallace, Diana Chavez
- Papel picado hangs high above the silent auction area
- Bidding was extended to accommodate the crowd
- Wendy Feliz, Laura Becerra, Jennie Marquez
- Yolanda Quesada, Marcela de la Mar
- Hundreds of goody bags were provided
- The 10th Anniversary of Las Madrinas or “godmothers” event
- Carla and Donald Pacheco
- Jennie Marquez, Romaine Pacheco
- Jennie Marquez and Event Chair Timi Aguilar
- Julissa Soto, Marisol Villagomez, (unidentified), Patricia Barela Rivera
- Mariachi Lupe Vargas
- Colorful decorations set the mood
- Dan Blodgett, Ryan Shacklett, Duston Anderten
- Danita Vigil, Dana Frerich
- Deborah Vela, Marlena Rose Vigil, Ricardo Delgado, Paris Salazar
- Denver Hispanic Chamber President Deidre Garcia, Delia Gallego
- Desiree Martinez, Deborah Vela
- Karina Mendoza, Maria Gonzales, Hilda Perez, Vanessa Guzman, Luz Mara Marizcal
- Elaine Vincent, Jennifer Williams
- Former Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth
- Elbra Wedgeworth, Katie Garcia
- Elizabeth Muñoz, Isabella Acosta, Kayla Harwood
- Esther Valladolid Wolf, Viviana Martinez, Lupe Valladolid Baca
- Francisco Romero, Sister Alicia Cuaron
- Centerpiece
- Sister Alicia Cuaron, Francisco Romero, Timi Aguilar
- Luis Soto, Timi Aguilar, Rita Cammack, Mario Carrera, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Roberto Rey, Gracie Casias
- Luis Soto, Timi Aguilar, Francisco Romero, Sister Alicia Cuaron
- Francisco Romero, Luis Soto
- Luis Soto, Gracie Casias, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Timi Aguilar
- Luis Soto, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Mario Carrera, Timi Aguilar
- Luis Soto, Rita Commack, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Timi Aguilar
- Luis Soto, Sister Alicia Cuaron, Roberto Rey, Timi Aguilar
- Guests gather before lunch for photos
- Table setting for luncheon
- Tyler Duchynski and Sister Alicia Cuaron lead procession to lunch
- Tyler Duchynski and Alicia Cuaron lead procession to lunch
- Guests proceed to lunch at Denver Art Museum
- Strolling musicians from Mariachi Lupe Vargas
- A tribute to the late Lena Archuleta, Denver community activist, a founding member of Las Madrinas Tribute, and long-time Denver Public Schools educator
- Centro San Juan Diego Executive Director Luis Soto
- Bienestar founder Sister Alicia Cuaron welcomes supporters
- Emcee Belen de Leon of 9News
- Emcee Belen de Leon congratulates Roberto Rey
- Award winner Gracie Casias thanks her mother
- Guests heard from six honorees and supporters of Centro San Juan Diego
- The 10th anniversary Las Madrinas luncheon paid special tribute to founder Sister Alicia Cuaron
- Former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers leads the live auction
- Auctioneer Reggie Rivers entertained the crowd
- Award winner Mario Carrera thanks his family and guests
- The Entravision table enjoys the live auction
- Yolanda Ortega and Debra Gallegos perform for guests
- Sister Rita Cammack addresses guests
- Artwork by Francisco Romero was auctioned
- Guests share a laugh during live auction
- Sister Rita Cammack receives award
- Roberto Rey receives award
- Roberto Rey and Sister Alicia Cuaron
- No party is complete without a selfie
- Tracey Wilson of IPX and past Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patricia Baca
- Guests gathered at the Denver Art Museum
- Sister Rita Cammack thanks guests
- Some 300 guests attended the 10th Annual Las Madrinas event