Women do lunch best. The 16th Annual Women United Luncheon was a sold-out event. Over 1,000 women and a few men made sure that the ballroom at the downtown Marriott was alive with chatter and greetings for friends and colleagues.
Christine Benero, president & CEO of Mile High United Way, was (and always is) full of energy as she maneuvered through the crowd greeting and acknowledging the many women who support Mile High United Way and, always, she is first to recognize those who make this event successful.
Thursday afternoon’s program was all about connections and, how connections are the threads to transform lives in our community. For 127 years, Mile High United Way has served as a catalyst for social change. Benero proudly exclaimed, “We are women united.”
Kathy Ambrose, a long time Denver volunteer, advocate and philanthropist was awarded the 2014 Frances Wisebart Jacobs award. She was recognized for her leadership spirit and for transforming lives of countless girls, women and families.
Keynote speaker Will Schwalbe, author of “The End of Your Life Book Club,” was engaging and endearing as he spoke to the huge crowd. He introduced the audience to his mother through his book and his memories, and, enlightened listeners to the journey they embarked upon together. The hours they spent sharing books and opinions in endless hospital waiting rooms and chemo chairs gave the author invaluable time with his mother. They spoke of her life and her gift of sharing and ‘doing’ for those less fortunate. Mary Anne Schwalbe wasn’t just a mother, wife, reader. She set out to build libraries in third world countries and she accomplished that before she died. The connection between she and her son gave them precious time to read books, all kinds of books, and discuss them. Though there were no potluck dinners or snacks, their time together built a lifetime of memories. Schwalbe shares them in his book.
The 16th Annual Women United luncheon was a success in every way. Sold out tables, sold out books signed by Will Schwalbe, and strong women who arrived there through leadership, compassion and giving.
Women United of the Mile High United Way, is a community of women giving financial support that ensures the community’s impact on improving school readiness, youth success and adult self-sufficiency. If you’re interested in taking on a leadership role please contact the Mile High United Way, 711 Park Avenue West, Denver, 80205. www.UnitedWayDenver.org
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- L to R: Teresa Van De Bogart, Jennifer Stokes, Kristen Russell, Yun Hui Kehoe
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- Jennifer Stokes, Kathy Ambrose
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- L to R: Cavell Alexander, Elisa Young, Mark Williams, Katrina Salem
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- Erica Bissette, Cacey McReavy
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- Keynote Speaker, Will Schwalbe, Teresa Van De Bogart
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- Will Schwalbe, Andy Levy
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- Matt Mennier, Dave Espinosa
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- Chris Chavez, Suzanne Beggs, Christine Benero
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- VIP reception to meet author of “The End of Your Life Book Club.”
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- Women behind the 16th Annual Women United Luncheon
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- L to R: Mary Kobey, Janyee Wald, JoAnn Beaupre
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- Jill Farquhar, Christine Benero
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- L to R: Megan Toomey, Robin Ricketts, Jeanette Alberg
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- L to R: Minna Castillo-Cohen, Nathan Davis, Roweena Naidoo
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- L to R: Genie Lawler, Leila Shamas, Lucia Buehler
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- L to R: Joyce Schlose, Debbie Norris, Leslie Hannon
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- L to R: Rick Ambrose, Jennifer Kraus, Matthew Vermillion
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- Leigh Markley, Julia Shepherd
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- Non-profits depend on their generous sponsors
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- United Way is there….
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- United Lunch Alliance with Will Schwalbe
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- L to R: Diana Romero-Campbell, Maria Cordero, Jerene Petersen
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- Schane Jurgen Koenig, Christa Bell
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- Books for sale and signing by the author
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- L to R: Kara Schmitt, Paul Lhevine, Charlie Wright, Ed Blair
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- David Aragoni, Jeremy Davis
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- One of the largest luncheons of the season
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- L to R: Ashley Lowe, Cheryl Hefner, Michele Horst, Briea Berry
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- L to R: Judy Powell, Martha Devine, Jill McNellis
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- L to R: Carly Schwab, Christian Ofner, Celine Powner, Jill Rankin
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- Susan DAvis, Kasia Iwaniczko-MacLeod
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- Kim Sasko, Catherine Henry
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- Will Schwalbe, Beth Sloan
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- Everett Freeman, Benny Samuels
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- Will Schwalbe, Joanne Davidson
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- Dan McNulty, Jeanette Alberg
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- L to R: Jacky Noden, Margo Jamieson, Shanna Shafer
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- L to R: Deb Smith, Alexie Tune, Debbie DiMuccio
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- Carol Lewis, Taylor Vitale
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- Keynote Speaker, Will Schwalbe
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- “Reading is the opposite of dying.”
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- Schwalbe says the power of connection is to ask, “What are you reading?”
