
Lower Downtown Denver’s spacious EXDO Event Center provided an ideal setting for an “enchanted party” otherwise known as the Fiesta Encantada 2013, the 19th annual signature event fundraiser for Clinica Tepeyac held Saturday night, September 28.
Long before the battle for universal health care coverage for all Americans Clinica Tepeyac health care center was established in north Denver decades ago to support and provide health care for those who are uninsured and underserved. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock praised Clinica founders Jim and Gloria Garcia and thanked guests for supporting low-cost and free health care services for Denver residents.
“For nearly twenty years,” the mayor said, “Clinica Tepeyac has filled in the gap for people who have needed health services but could not find or afford it anywhere else.”
The Clinica honored Kaiser Permanente with the Community Partner Award and Dr Charles Jenkins received the Jim and Gloria Garcia Founders Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Past Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patty Baca was honored with the Corazon and Alma Award.
Mariachi Vasquez performed for the cocktail reception during the reception and silent auction. The invocation was given by Rabbi Richard Rheins of Temple Sinai which was followed by a colorful and exuberant performance by Grupo Folklorico Sabor Latino before the start of dinner featuring blackberry jalapeño glazed pork tenderloin and chicken breasts with avocado jicama salsa.
The after-dinner entertainment featured Mariachi Vasquez and the Cleo Parker Robinson dance troupe which kept the audience engaged throughout the evening. 9News anchor/reporter Gregg Moss and actor/singer Jesse Ogas served as emcees for the event that attracted more than 600 guests. Dressed in a traditional mariachi clothing, Ogas sang with the band and helped with the live auction led by Jim Bertz, who managed to auction off an autographed Peyton Manning helmet for $1,200 and an original painting titled “La Curandera Encantada” (The Enchanted Healer”) by Carlos Fresquez.
The evening closed with special performance by Trio Encantada and Mariachi Vargas performing the Mexican classic “Volver, Volver”. For more information on Clinica Tepeyac visit www.clinicatepeyac.org
- Mike Roca and Adrianna Abarca
- Mario and Irma Carrera, Gaston Hereira, Claudia Sanchez
- Jesse Ogas and artist Carlos Fresquez
- Ana Rodriguez and Scot Sommerfeld
- Mariachi Vasquez performs
- Cathy Schuster, Dennis Gallagher, Joy Charmley
- Preston Hofer and Mark Leonard
- Lynn and Carlos Fresquez
- Auction coordinator Liz Rodriguez
- Guadalupe painting by Anthony Armijo
- Annie Lee and Alma Vigo Morales
- Don Pacheco
- Sandra Haynes checks out some auction items
- Karen Nakandakare, Martine Chavez, Hope Montero Chavez and Steve Chavez
- John Garcia and Elizabeth Sedainick
- Delicious dinner served
- Monica and Danny Stannard
- Kim Sanchez, Olivia Martinez, Margaret Montaño, Dulce Saenz
- Jessica Lanfranco Caballero and Roxanne Gonzales
- Yolanda Quesada of the Latino Community Foundation
- Clinico Tepeyac providing health care needs for underserved
- Teresa Rowe, Susana Arreola, Miguel Hernandez
- Dancers provided dynamic entertainment
- Mayor Hancock thanks supporters and salutes founders
- Jim Garcia introduces Mayor Hancock
- Staff Lucille Rivera and Anthony Mares
- Molly and Brian Samson
- Guests listen to Mayor Hancock
- Cleo Parker Robinson introduces her dance troupe
- Yolanda Ortega, Adrienne Benavidez, Mayor Hancock
- Cleo Parker Robinson dancer delights guests
- 9News anchor Gregg Moss, Yolanda Ortega and Jesse Ogas
- Cleo Parker Robinson dancers
- Tracy and Fernando
- Outstanding volunteer Dr. Charles Jenkins
- Hope Salazar and guests
- Tony Garcia of Su Teatro Theatre
- Dr. Jandell Allen Davis
- Dr. Patty Baca
- Jim Garcia thanks Patty Baca
- Flossie O’Leary of Clinica addresses guests
- Barbara Ford and Tonya Bruno
- Analicia Baer and Ana Lara Roca
- Jesse Ogas sings for guests
- Jesse Ogas helps with live auction
- Dulce Saenz and Katie Murphy coordinate auction
- Karen Kakandakake and Debra Bartleson
- Auctioneer Jim Berz
- Allison Schneider, Linda Appell Lipsius, Amanda Ogden
- Jaqueline and auctioneer Jim Berz
- Fernando and Perla Duran
- Fernando-Pineda-Tonya-Bruno-Yoli-Casa-Beatriz-Vargas-Maribelia-Avalos-Tracy-Pineda
- Susana Moening, Candace Bataille
- Benita Montoya and Flor Lovato
- Sabrina Salazar and Alcario Robles
- Susana Arreola and Teresa Rowe
- Staff Anthony Mares, Perla Duran, Karent Correa
- Signed Peyton Manning football won by Earl and Denise Caleb
- Jaqueline Kruszek, Alicia Avila, Jeanette Blanco
- Front row: Michael DeJager, Katie Murphy; Back: Brandon Hudsbeth, Liz Rodriguez, Kelly Thomas
- Rhetta Shead and City Councilman Paul Lopez with wife Marisol
- Nanette Olona, Gloria Garcia
- Ellie Heidner and Flossie O’Leary
- Galicia Family