You come into this world wanting to be held and loved, and you leave this world the same way, mused Mitch Albom, best selling author and guest speaker at The Denver Hospice Mask Project luncheon on Tuesday. There’s a good reason why he’s a best selling author–because his message resonates.
Attendees listened intently to Albom recounting the lessons he learned from his friend and teacher Morrie Schwartz, who was the subject of “Tuesdays with Morrie,” a book that has become a world-wide icon of life (and death) lessons. The message was in tandem with the mission of The Denver Hospice, because at the end of our time on earth, material possessions mean next to nothing in the scheme of things. Love, and giving rather than taking, carves the path to being remembered, said Albom. As proof, he said, just look at the messages that the victims of 9-11 texted and left before they perished.
Albom is author of six consecutive number one New York Times bestsellers-including “Tuesdays with Morrie,” the bestselling memoir of all time. A columnist for The Detroit free Press since 1985 and a panelist on ESPN’s The Sports Reporters, Albom has been named the #1 Sports Columnist in the Nation by The Associated Press Sports Editors 13 times.
Albom was a very fitting speaker to remind people why the Mask Project should be supported–to benefit the very important mission of The Denver Hospice. They serve over 800 patients and families every day, and it is important that their stories are honored and their legacies remembered.
Bidding is now open through October 9 for the 2016 masks. Visit www.themaskproject.org for more information and see the mask gallery at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
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- The marquee announcing the event
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- Andrea and John Horan, board chair
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- David Alexander, left, Nancy Thompson and Chris Comer
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- Diane Beauchamp and Dennis Rodriguez
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- Sarah Chilton, left, Patty Polsky, Linda Gebhardt and Christine Gebhardt
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- Table settings at the Seawell Ballroom
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- Abby Law, left, Susan Law, Ron Law, Kristen and David Lederhos
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- Stanton and Jane E Rosenbaum, left, with Paula and Stan Ullman
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- Kaylee Jennings, left, Jane Bedrosian, Lisa Studebaker and Marsha Sesskin
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- John and MJ Padilla, left, with Mary Detweiler
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- Elbra Wedgeworth, left, Marti Awad and Patricia Barela Rivera
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- Louann and Micky Miller, silver sponsors and longtime supporters
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- David Mazar, left, Tom Campbell, Michael Harris, Greg Karsh, Brad Rothhammer, Wayne Nielsen and Mark Hadley
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- Jim Burke and Pamela Norton
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- Gold sponsor Jim Burke and Gay Pontious
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- Kurt Kittleson, left, Doran Oancia, Sheila and Spencer Zinn
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- Emcees were Vida Urbonas, left, and Raquel Villanueva of 9News
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- Amy Venturi, on behalf of the Governor’s office, read the proclamation making Sept. 28 “Denver Hospice Day.”
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- The Denver Hospice President Janelle McCallum received the proclamation from the Governor’s office
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- Justin Jacobs, left, and Tim Bowen, CEO of The Denver Hospice
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- Amy Venturi and Don Mares
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- Faye Tate, left, Bev Sloan and Susan Brown
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- John Faught, Diane Gilmore and Jamie Gilmore
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- Wayne Nielsen (gold sponsor and retiring board member), left, Board Chair John Moran and Denver DA Mitch Morrissey
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- The table sponsored by the Pashels
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- Anuschka and Zach Pashel, silver sponsors
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- Mary Gerwin, left, chats with Lisa Latts
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- Kelly Barbello and Nick LeMasters of Cherry Creek Shopping Center, where masks are being displayed
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- Joyce Pashel and Josh Hanfling
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- Andy Levy and Linda Kornfeld
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- Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, medical director of The Denver Hospice
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- “Dr K,” as she is known, gave a hearty welcome to guests
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- Tom Folkert and Daren Forbes
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- Mitch Albom had a very poignant message
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- Best selling author Mitch Albom
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- Mitch Albom talked about his experiences that were the foundation for his best-selling book “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
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- The message that Mitch Albom conveyed resonated deeply with guests
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- Skip Miller, right, chats with Mitch Albom before his book signing
