The colorful Harvest of Hope was a dinner fundraiser celebrating the beauty and culture of Africa. It was also about educating about needs and our individual and collective ability to address some of those needs. Before dinner was served the Seawell Ballroom was transformed into an African marketplace for the 12th and final Harvest of Hope gathering.
The guests were happy and busy as bees in an apple orchard. There was much to look at, marvel at and of course purchase. In addition to the traditional handmade African jewelry, clothing and artifacts, Denver businesses generously donated hundreds of early holiday gifts such as sporting goods and memorabilia, travel packages, restaurant gift certificates, museum tickets, books, golfing, portraits, and a skydiving adventure package was just one of many unique items for purchase at the event.
Some of the guests were unmissable in traditional, festive African clothing highlighting the purpose of the gathering – a focus on the Church World Service and its efforts to press for human rights and to expand the role of the church as a compassionate and prophetic voice for justice.
Founders Pauline Miles, Kathryn Roy and MaryAnn McGeady met on a trip to Africa in 1999. Their future and vision was born. They hoped to work with all faiths and cultures to confront the root causes of hunger and poverty and to build a global community of compassion. By 2002 the Harvest of Hope was realized. Through the last 12 years, they remember the highlights of their efforts. In 2007 they were honored to have John Bul Dau, the Lost Boy from the Sudan, speak of his journey. Harvest of Hope attracted well-known supporters such as the late Noel Cunningham and George McGovern who, like many supporters, set out to ensure the global mission of promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities around the world.
Thursday’s event was a joyful culmination of three women’s dream. After 12 years they sadly announced the final Harvest of Hope as they have known it. Without further ado, each positively believes that Hope will go forward and continue to harvest. Pauline Miles, Kathryn Roy and MaryAnn McGeady will continue to celebrate community and discover ways to stay connected to this life-saving work, even after the final Harvest.
The Harvest of Hope benefited the work of Church World Service in Africa, It Takes a Village and Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services in Colorado.
To learn more about the Church World Service please visit the website www.cwsglobal.org. 303-455-5765.
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- Eleanor Roberts, David Parce
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- Tiffany & Sean Taylor
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- What’s a silent auction in Denver without a ball?
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- Stunning cover to the evening’s program.
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- Authentic African crafts
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- Hand-painted hats and hand-fans
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- Traditional African dresses
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- Hand-carved, hand-painted birds
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- Handcrafted jewelry
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- Framed African batik
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- Handwoven bridal necklace
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- Dolls made in Africa
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- The Seawell Ballroom was aglow with colors.
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- Clietta Terry, Hal Lynde
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- L to R: Noah Ewers, Josh Ewers, Emilee Moss
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- Kelly & Joe Sushinski
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- Alexis Averams, Lisa Jones
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- Marj & George Dyer
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- Susan Wirt, Karen Gutjhar
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- Janis & Dave Nossaman
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- Tom & Mickey Robins
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- L to R: Peggy Newman, Holly Chapman, Emily Rosser
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- Dalton Beekhuizen, Dan Beekhuizen
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- Nathan & Michelle Beekhuizen
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- L to R: Eric Roy, Gubi Pieroni, Celina Roy
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- Dante McCready, LaKisha Washington
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- Deborah & Bob Walker
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- L to R: Genevieve Cruz, Rhetta Shead, Brad Martin
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- David & Pamela Peak
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- L to R: Bill Wildey, Kathryn Roy, Rev. John McCullough
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- Pete Smith Art Ziemann
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- Ndulu Sabuni, Kayange Bugombo
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- L to R: Laurel Davis-Mayo, Bob Davis-Mayo, Barbara Ford
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- Jody & Stepanie Olson
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- Mo Sharmoug, Chelsey Dakota
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- Ed & Violet Peabody
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- Buying goodies
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- Sandi & Stu Jones
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- L to R: Mackenzie McGeady, MaryAnn McGeady, Paty Whitehead
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- Jackie Senese, Cynthia Bauman
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- Holly Smith, Warren Baker
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- L to R: Mary Obiero, Kay Kusterbeck, Bill Wildey
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- It was a beautiful night at the The Seawell Ballroom
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- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Troupe
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- Speaking on behalf of Cleo Parker Robinson
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- Chester Washington, Lucy Walker
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- Nancy Hopper & Kenton Kuhn
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- Norma Paige, Rosalind ‘Bee’ Harris
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- Jenae Ritchie, Emily Sushinski
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- George Smith, Hussan Latif
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- L to R: Chris Sautter, Peter Ewers, Carolyn Sautter, Ann Kusic
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- Brian Pendleton, Paul Zelenkov
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- L to R: Kathy Kanda, Larry Williams, Kim Casey Reed
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- Ferdi Mevlani, Noor Hani
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- L to R: Kiswah Adam, Michelle Bush, Imani Latif
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- Tamara Banks, emcee
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- Rev. John McCullough, JoAnn McCullough, Adrian Miller, Kathryn Roy, Tamara Banks
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- Megan McMinn, Julie Valdez
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- Dan Cohen, Bridgette Moller
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- Pat Fuller, Sheryl Rhea
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- Kim Jones, Richard Ewers
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- Elyse & Jeff Allen
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- JoAnn & Rev. John McCullough
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- Rev. Anne Jernberg, Damon Scalfaro
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- Jessica Shopmaker, Jovan Williams
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- L to R: Lyle Williams, JP Burgas, Sam Shopmaker, Mo Sharmoug (photo bombing wives Jessica & Jovan)
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- L to R: Kelly, Madelyn, Grace Padilla
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- Author Adrian Miller
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- L to R: Kathleen Skipton, Adrian Miller, Barbara Ford
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- L to R: Zach Bishop, Anastasia Khokryakova, Shane Miner
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- Diane & Carl Cornwell
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- The Low Flying Knobs
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- Victor Turner, Otis Jackson
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- Grace Turner, Cindy Harris
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- KK & Pornpenn Younger
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- Kathy Godson, Janie Hanson-Ernstrom
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- L to R: Frank Parce, Eleanor Roberts, Hal Lynde
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- L to R: Gerald & Carolyn Anderson, David & Kathryn Roy
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- Eleanor Roberts, Frank Parce
