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.
The marquee announcing the event
Andrea and John Horan, board chair
David Alexander, left, Nancy Thompson and Chris Comer
Diane Beauchamp and Dennis Rodriguez
Sarah Chilton, left, Patty Polsky, Linda Gebhardt and Christine Gebhardt
Table settings at the Seawell Ballroom
Abby Law, left, Susan Law, Ron Law, Kristen and David Lederhos
Stanton and Jane E Rosenbaum, left, with Paula and Stan Ullman
Kaylee Jennings, left, Jane Bedrosian, Lisa Studebaker and Marsha Sesskin
John and MJ Padilla, left, with Mary Detweiler
Elbra Wedgeworth, left, Marti Awad and Patricia Barela Rivera
Louann and Micky Miller, silver sponsors and longtime supporters
David Mazar, left, Tom Campbell, Michael Harris, Greg Karsh, Brad Rothhammer, Wayne Nielsen and Mark Hadley
Jim Burke and Pamela Norton
Gold sponsor Jim Burke and Gay Pontious
Kurt Kittleson, left, Doran Oancia, Sheila and Spencer Zinn
Emcees were Vida Urbonas, left, and Raquel Villanueva of 9News
Amy Venturi, on behalf of the Governor’s office, read the proclamation making Sept. 28 “Denver Hospice Day.”
The Denver Hospice President Janelle McCallum received the proclamation from the Governor’s office
Justin Jacobs, left, and Tim Bowen, CEO of The Denver Hospice
Amy Venturi and Don Mares
Faye Tate, left, Bev Sloan and Susan Brown
John Faught, Diane Gilmore and Jamie Gilmore
Wayne Nielsen (gold sponsor and retiring board member), left, Board Chair John Moran and Denver DA Mitch Morrissey
The table sponsored by the Pashels
Anuschka and Zach Pashel, silver sponsors
Mary Gerwin, left, chats with Lisa Latts
Kelly Barbello and Nick LeMasters of Cherry Creek Shopping Center, where masks are being displayed
Joyce Pashel and Josh Hanfling
Andy Levy and Linda Kornfeld
Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, medical director of The Denver Hospice
“Dr K,” as she is known, gave a hearty welcome to guests
Tom Folkert and Daren Forbes
Mitch Albom had a very poignant message
Best selling author Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom talked about his experiences that were the foundation for his best-selling book “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
The message that Mitch Albom conveyed resonated deeply with guests
Skip Miller, right, chats with Mitch Albom before his book signing
CEO, The Denver Hospice: Tim Bowen; President, The Denver Hospice: Janelle McCallum; General Manager, Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Nick LeMasters
Speaker:
Mitch Albom
Sponsors:
Cherry Creek Shopping Center; Gold Sponsors: IMA, Horan & McConaty, Jim Burke, Dr David Scanavino, WG Neilsen & Co.; Silver Sponsors: Baird, Eide Bailly, DaVita, Greystone Technology, High Country Search Group, Home Instead Senior Care, Premier Medical Corp., Anuschka & Zach Pashel, Mickey Ackerman & Richard Gilmartin, Micky & Louann Miller, Susan & Ron Law; Bronze: Alpine Bank, Anadarko, EKS&H, Lewan Technology, Shames Makovsky, QualMed Pharmacy, Linda & Tom Bowen, Gary and Jan Friedland, Patty Polsky, Adele Phelan, Phelan & Saracino Families
Menu:
Macrobiotic salad with chicken, pretzel bread, petit desserts
Event Committee:
David Alexander, Brad Baumgartner, Missy Diehl, Davie Dixon, Anca Elena Call, Jamie Gilmore, Carol Hiller, Fred Lunger, Evi Makovsky, Carol Mark, MorEvents, Zach Pashel and Hyla Sloan
Board of Directors:
Chair: John Horan; Tim Bowen, Janelle McCallum, Wayne Nielsen, Mickey Ackerman, Dennis Helling, Adele Phelan, David Alexander, Brad Baumgartner, Jim Burke, Susan Law, Scott Lowery, Evi Makovsky, Elizabeth Oyekan, Zach Pashel, Lew Sapiro, Dr. David Scanavino