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’s34th 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
Mr. James Boyle, former CEO of Parker Adventist Hospital, is honored with the Henry M. Porter Award
President/CEO:
Edward Ammon, Interim President of Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation
Staff:
Deana Alfonso, Events Coordinator / Ed Ammon, Interim President of Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation / Lisa Culver, Executive Assistant / Laura Fitch, Director of Events / Dan Hainault, Director of Operations / Geoff Isaak, Executive Director, Avista Hospital Foundation/ Marble Jones, Executive Director, Littleton Adventist Hospital Foundation / Jude Keller, Healing Arts Program Director / Peggy Morrison, Development Associate / Valerie Ross, Development Officer / Lisa Sandoval, Executive Director, Park Hospital Foundation / Kara Turpen, Data Manager / Steve Younger, Senior Accountant
Introductions:
Murphy Huston, KOSI 101 Radio
Entertainment:
Bella Luna Cirque
Sponsors:
Double Platinum Heart Sponsor and Entertainment Sponsor: The Hewit Charitable Trust / Double Platinum Heart Sponsor: Adventist Health System / Platinum Heart Sponsor: Emergency Physicians at Porter Hospitals, PC / Gold Heart and Attendee Gift Sponsor: Diversified Radiology of Colorado, PC / Silver Heart Sponsors: CHI Colorado Foundation; Critical Care; Pulmonary and Sleep Associates; Prof LLP; GE Johnson Construction Co; Pediatrix Medical Group; Robinson Dairy; South Denver Cardiology Associates, PC / Bronze Heart Sponsors: UniPath; Dennis and Becky Barts; Gary and Barbara Campbell; Christian Living Communities; Colorado Business Bank; Colorado Joint Replacement; HSS; Kutak Rock LLP; Medical Search; Triple B; United Surgical Partners; GH Phipps; H+L Architecture; Weifield Group / Pewter Heart Sponsors: Avista Adventist Hospital; BC Builders; The Breast Center at Littleton Adventist Hospital; Castle Rock Development Company; Centura Health Cancer Network; Citywide Banks; Fleisher Smyth Brokaw LLC; HKS, Inc.; Medline Industries, Inc.; Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists; MTech Mechanical & Olson Plumbing; Kris & Karen Ordelheide; Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh Day Adventists; Saunders Construction; South Denver Anesthesiologists, PC / Decor Sponsor: Johnson United / Media Sponsor: Colorado Biz
Menu:
Starter: Hummus Martini with Fresh and Oil Cured Vegetables and Flatbread / Entree: Tenderloin Medallion; Sriracha Hollandaise paired with Cured Tomato; or Preserved Lemon Roasted Cod; Potato Cake...
Attendance:
600
Attire:
Venetian circus inspired
Ticket Prices:
$275
Event Coordinator:
Deana Alfonso, Events Coordinator / Laura Fitch, Director of Events
Event Committee:
Jared Ammon, Julie Collett, Angelika Feldbush, Andrea Fitch, Carl Fitch, Heidi Hainault, Kim Kennedy, Fred Mackall, Chris Rachal, Lindsey Sandoval
Board of Directors:
Avista Hospital: Aric Hilmas; Board Chair, Steve Allegar; Wayne Anderson; Dennis Barts, CEO; William Brachvogel, DDS; Lynn Ehrenberger; James Fazio; Laura J. Hicks; Aric Hilmas; Geoff Isaak; Karla Nugent; Barbara Oakley / Littleton Hospital: Michelle Brokaw, Board Chair; Scott Bonner, Vice Chair; David Benson; Scott Bonner; Michelle Brokaw; Clint Cator III; Marble Jones; Dave Lewis; John Lowe; Brett Spenst, CEO; Jan Rosen; Brett Spenst, CEO; Chalmers Turner; Rhonda Ward / Parker Hospital: Edward Ammon; Stephen Batuello, MD; Kristy Suda; Kathy and David Berezin; Darren Boe, MD; Deanna Boe; Larry and Naomi Brutlag; Jacy Conradt; Morre and Katrina Dean; Ron Doolittle; Lawrence Emmons, MD; Kathy Emmons; Harley and Loran Erickson; Henry Galan, MD, Amy Galan; Kim and Cindy Hertzfeldt; Brent and Klaudette Hillier; Joni Johnson and Shana Martin; Lavern and Francie Martinez; Tim and Pam McTavish; Bob and Leanne Osgood; Preston and Marsee Parsons; Don and Martha Rasure; Sam and Robyn Rasure; Lisa Sandoval; Jeff, Sipel, MD; Scott Stanley, MD; Thomas and Nancy VanderHeiden; David and Terri Ann Van Landschoot; Patricia Wassik / Porter Hospital: Edward Ammon; Joseph B. Blake; Kelly J. Haecker; Randy Haffner; Julie Johnson; Mark J. Mostek; Glen Sibley; Stan Smazal, MD; Tamra Ward; Patricia Wassik