BRIGHT BEGINNINGS Goodnight Moon Gala honoring Barbara Grogan

The Goodnight Moon gala, benefitting Colorado Bright Beginnings, was held on Friday, November 1^st at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, accompanied by live piano music from Judy Boyd. The dinner and the event program started with George Sparks, President/CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science welcoming everyone to the 2013 Goodnight Moon Gala. This year’s gala honored Barbara Grogan, founder of Western Industrial Contractors Inc. and a leader in the business and entrepreneural communities.

Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, co-founder of Colorado Bright Beginnings, thanked Barbara for her hard work, support, energy and inspiration.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock presented a Proclamation by the City and County of Denver to Barbara Grogan that acknowledged her significant contribution to early childhood development and her work in advocating for the rights of children.  Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proclaimed November 1, 2013 as “Barbara Grogan Day.”

The festive evening brought together more then 300 of business and community leaders, early childhood advocates and practitioners and families, all in support of Bright Beginnings’ dynamic early childhood programs. Honorary chairs of the event included Governor John Hickenlooper and former Governor Roy Romer.

The emcee was George Sparks and gala chairs were Nancy Butler Accetta and Robynn Krueger.

Dr. Scott Sampson, chief curator and vice president of research and collections at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, host of PBS’ Kids Dinosaur Train and a champion of nature-based play and exploration, was keynote speaker at the event. Marquita Hall shared her story as a mother deeply impacted by Bright Beginnings.

The evening continued till after 11 p.m. with a scrumptious dessert buffet, coffee bar and live entertainment by the Lunaris Quartet.

In 1995, former Chairman of Procter & Gamble, Brad Butler and former Colorado Governor Roy Romer started the Bright  Beginnings organization in an effort to make “Colorado the best place to raise a child.” Since then, Colorado Bright Beginnings has provided, free of charge, support and early education information to over 175,000 families. Bright Beginnings has reached an increasing number of families across the state each year — nearly 18,000 last year alone. 85% of a baby’s intellect, personality, and social skills are developed in the first three years of life.

Colorado Bright Beginnings is a non-profit organization that empowers Colorado parents with the tools, guidance and encouragement needed to maximize their child’s development during those first three years. Colorado Bright Beginnings mission is to provide a bright beginning for all Colorado children by helping families support their children physical, emotional and intellectual development.

Bright Beginnings visits with parents and other caregivers and provides a three-step program. It’s absolutely free for families, supported entirely by charitable contributions.Bright Beginnings has engaged in quite a few studies to measure how significantly their programs impact the desired outcomes of early literacy and school readiness.

For more information, please visit: www.brightbeginningsusa.org