Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America took the stage at the MHAC Tribute event Saturday night to talk about his book, “Losing Tim.” Mr. Gionfriddo’s 29-year-old son is one of the 6% of Americans with a serious mental illness and is walking the streets of San Francisco, homeless. What does that tell you, when the president of one of the largest mental health organizations in the country and his family are still impacted by the stigma and devastation of mental illness….it can strike anywhere, anytime, and it’s a good bet that all of us are affected in some way.
Mental Health America Colorado (MHAC) is taking a proactive role in addressing mental health conditions. The strategic plan encompasses three major goals: broker change, reduce stigma and improve lives. They seek to improve and address the dismal ranking of 48th place in the nation in per capita funding for behavioral health services.
A jovial but humble crowd gathered at the Sheraton Downtown to continue this mission. Proceeds from Tribute support MHAC’s efforts in outreach, education, prevention and advocacy to lift stigma and improve the lives of all Coloradoans.
Two honorees were recognized for their incredible, forward-seeking work in these areas:
- Marguerite Salazar, Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner, who has worked tirelessly to address the parity between mental and physical conditions and corresponding funding and advocacy;
- Colorado College, who supports and nurtures mental health programs and students who reach out for help.
MHAC President and CEO Don Mares gave a heartfelt thank you to attendees and supporters, and Board Chair Marty Waters told a surprising story of how his mental outlook was affected after he was caught in an avalanche several years ago and used up at least one of his nine lives.
After the order of business was taken care of, the crowd cut loose and danced the night away to the upbeat tunes of Jakarta. Kudos to MHAC staff, volunteers and supporters who keep the mission going consistently.
For more information about how you can help, log on to www.mhacolorado.org
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- Gala Co-Chairs Lisa Williams and Dr. Larry Spivak
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- Gala Co-Chairs Dr. Stuart and Gail Kassan, left, and Hon. Jane Tidball (board member) and Kevin White
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- Paul Gionfriddo, president of Mental Health America, in with his wife Pam for the event
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- Dyana Furmansky, board chair emeritus, left, with Monica Dewitt (auction committee co-chair), Terry Ganey and Dr. Bert Furmansky (honorary board)
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- Megan Zajkowski, left, and her grandparents, honorary board members Cy and Lyndia Harvey
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- Rose Stauffer, left, Bruce Shaver and Cathy Michopoulos
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- Don Mares greets Dyana Furmansky
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- Kyle Hageman, left, Dr. Heather Horton, Lily and John Lauer–representing honoree Colorado College
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- Gina Lasky, left, Jackie Laundon and Lynn Dierker
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- From MHAC: Leslie Bailey, left, Beth Danilson and volunteer Sandy Amaro
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- Angela Visconti and Craig Fales
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- Evan Silverman (board member) and Amanda Bacon
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- Robin and Brett Spurr (board treasurer), left, Bambi and Sam DeAngelis and Ken Greenberg
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- Amy Guest and Brad Nelson
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- Patricia and Jim Smith, who once again donated the wine for the evening through his company, Republic National Distributing
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- Susan Marine, left, and Barbara Ryan
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- Dabi Billmeier, left, Nancy Alterman (committee) and Jerry Malman
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- Elder and Brenda Granger
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- Jacy Conradt, left, Stuart and Marilyn Spinner
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- Kathy Bartlett and her husband, board member Tom Barrett PhD
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- Co-Chairs Dr. Larry Spivak and Lisa Williams with MHAC President and CEO Don Mares
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- Sandy and Chris King, left, with Gary and Carolyn Wilson
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- Jerry Conover and Jacquelyn Wonder
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- Mel and Marty Christiansen
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- Jerry and Julianna Melman
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- Eileen Hyatt, left, Niah Hyatt, Aaron Hyatt (board member) , Roberta Greengard and David Henniger
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- Patty Cook (honorary board), left, Katie Cook, Heather Treat and Jess Dire
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- Carol and Bob Flowe, left, with Rose Stauffer
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- Donald and Jeanne Rohner (she’s former president and CEO) with Board Chair Marty Waters
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- Dr. Hershey Sollod and Barbara Ellman
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- Jeanne Rohner and her longtime friend Moe Keller
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- Jim Dierker, left, and auctioneer Gary Corbett
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- Vicki Nielsen, left, Senator Linda Newell, Jeff Hinson and Doug Wilson
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- Honorary board member Don Cook, left, with Charlene and Jerry Dunn (also honorary board)
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- tempting silent auction offerings
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- Jerry Glick, left, Bill Saslow, Liz Orr and Shannon Gifford
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- Dr. John Bershof, left, Susan Strasburg, Don Yale and Michael Touff
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- Colleen Church, left, honoree Marguerite Salazar and Linda Reiner
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- Max Salazar, left, Arnold Salazar (committee) and Chrstina Pacheco
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- Lexy and Morri Namaste
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- Peter and Lynda Cukale
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- Stacey Levin, left, Gary and Bobbi Siegel and Ted Levin
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- Jason and Laura Williams, left, with Chad and Christy Pennick
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- Board Secretary Pegi Touff, left, with Tina Crew and Leslie Factor
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- Harold Classick and Event Co-Chair Kay Greene
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- Cindy Milon, left, Sondra Hittle, Shelley Scott, Kim Quinn, Heather Harrison
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- Sandra Rhodes (honorary board), left, chats with Pegi Touff
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- Sue Klebold, left, with Gary Lozow and Cara Lawrence
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- Moses Brewer, left, honorary board member Gwen Brewer and board member Mitch Berdie PsyD
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- Jorji Ratzlaff, Rep Clarice Navarro and Jace Ratzlaff
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- Felix and Margie Cook, left, Ken and Chanda Kirwin, John and Cheryl Haggstrom
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- Louise Boris (honorary board), left, chats with Artis Silverman
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- Artis Silverman and Stephen Carmel
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- Raymond Jones and Jay Riley
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- Alison Hoversten, left, and Joyce Brown
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- Farrell and LIz Sher with Dr. Stu Kassan
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- Beautiful floral decorations
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- Michael and Pegi Touff PhD
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- Susan and Randy Karsh
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- Cindi and Keith Burge
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- President and CEO Don Mares welcomed everyone
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- Don Mares talks about MHAC initiatives
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- Reggie Bicha, Director of the Colorado Dept. of Human Services, says a few words
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- Reggie Bicha, representing remarks from the Governor
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- Paul Gionfriddo talks about his son and his book, “Losing Tim”
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- Paul and Pam Gionfriddo, left, with Don Mares
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- Reggie Bicha, right, talks to a table guest
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- Gary Corbett, left, is greeted by Don Mares
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- The Colorado College table
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- One of the live auction packages–hockey matches between Colorado Colllege and rival DU, with sports paraphenalia
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- Board Chair Marty Waters says a few words
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- Leesa and Jeff Asher, board member
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- Don Mares congratulates Jasmine Valdez on her speech
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- Auctioneer Gary Corbett and Co-Chair Lisa Williams
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- Lisa Williams models a bracelet available on live auction from Trice Jewelers
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- Don Mares and his band, Nearly There, offered an auction package of a dinner and entertainment in the winner’s home
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- Dr. Heather Horton and Mike Edmonds of Colorado College chatting before the awards
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- Tammy Cunningham of 240 Union offered part of the dinner auction package
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- Don Mares and Gary Corbett during the auction
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- Tessa Harland talks about the Colorado College programs to promote mental health
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- Don Mares and Tessa Harland
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- Don Mares, Dr. Heather Horton and Mike Edmonds of Colorado College, and Tessa Harland
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- Mike Edmonds accepts the award for Colorado College as Dr. Heather Horton and Don Mares look on
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- Mike Edmonds and Dr. Heather Horton accept congratulations from Don Mares
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- Don Mares introduces Moe Keller
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- Honoree Marguerite Salazar and Don Mares
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- Don Mares, honoree Marguerite Salazar and Moe Keller
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- Marguerite Salazar accepting her award
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- Don Mares greets Tammy Cunningham
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- Moses Brewer and Evan Silverman
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- The band Jakarta had things rockin’
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- Don and Ruth Mares cutting a rug
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- Everyone enjoyed dancing to Jakarta
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- Don Cook and Gwen Brewer having a great time
