When can an event for 400 feel like a family reunion? When it’s the annual Celebrity Dinner Concert to benefit TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). No bad luck for these guests on Friday, June 13—far from it. With down-home chow and entertainment at Steve Grove’s Ranch at Cherry Creek, the ninth annual barn party was nothing but pure enjoyment designed to benefit and bring together supporters for surviving family members of fallen military heroes.
Event co-founders Lynne and Bo Cottrell have raised $3 million for TAPS in nine years.
This has to be one of the easiest events to attend. Guest vehicles were parked by Jay’s Valet, then they walked inside the event barn to pick up an auction number, had a chance to peruse the silent auction and head outdoors to pick up oh-so-delectable prime-rib-dinner delights prepared by Texas-based Coors Cowboy Club. During dinner, guests were treated to a spirited musical set by WildeFire (Tony David, Pam Hughes and Kerry Edwards).
Event co-chairs Kevin Kreymborg and Linda Cavanagh
Linda Cavanagh and Kevin Kreymborg served as event chairs, and KOA radio morning host Steffan Tubbs emceed a dinner program featuring an informational video and a short talk by TAPS founder and president Bonnie Carroll. She was joined on stage by development fundraiser Ron Spratt to honor Colorado event founders Bo and Lynne Cottrell with TAPS’ highest honor, the Soldiers Cross. In its nine-year history, the Cottrell’s annual weekend event has raised $3 million for TAPS programs, the most raised outside of Washington, D.C. Volunteers of the Year, Tom Tarver and Jewell Hargrave, were recognized for their hard work, and auctioneer Roger Sierens took over for a live auction full of enticements.
Jimmy Fortune wowed the crowd.
Guests continually showed their generosity with high bids on niceties, as well as the chance to donate money to fund specific programs and events for TAPS survivors. Ralph Achilles had the crowd laughing with a comedy set, then Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Fortune took the stage. The talented singer-songwriter-musician, who toured with the Statler Brothers for 21 years, thoroughly entertained with toe-tappin’ favorites. Well-known names spotted in the audience included: actor John Ashton, Denver Nuggets TV analyst Bill Hanzlik, American Furniture Warehouse president Jake Jabs, KOA radio host Mike Rosen, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and State Sen. Nancy Todd. Carroll writes that TAPS is marking its 20th year as American’s frontline resource for help, hope and healing. Since 1994, the organization has provided compassionate support to more than 50,000 survivors, casualty offices and caregivers. “We connect with one another, survivors helping survivors, to form a loving family where grieving hearts find strength for their journey, and know they are not alone.” On the weekend’s events in Colorado: “We will have memories that last well beyond these few days…Through the fellowship, camaraderie and compassion shared this weekend, hearts will be lifted, lives will be changed and hope will be discovered.” To learn more, please visit: www.TAPS.org. For more information about the Cottrell’s annual Colorado weekend of events, please go to: http://www.TAPS.org/classic.
Genial event host Steve Grove was named an honorary member of the Coors Cowboy Club team and proudly wears his “uniform.”
Lori and Chad Cahill
Coors Cowboy Club members ring the ol’ triangle dinner bell for hungry guests.
Delectable prime rib is sliced just right.
How hard was it to refrain from grabbing a quick taste?
Dinner is served for more than 400 guests.
WildeFire entertained during dinner (l to r): Kerry Edwards, Pam Hughes and Tony David
Setting up for the live auction
Volunteers Kelsey Alexander and Lora Thomas
Steve and Dirinda Terry
Ron Spratt, TAPS development fundraiser, with TAPS president and founder Bonnie Carroll
Silent auction items lined an entire wall of the event venue.
Colorado State Sen. David Balmer and volunteer Andrea Castro
(l to r): Deborah Massa, auctioneer assistant Jim Manning, auctioneer Roger Sierens, and Jill Cullis
Connor Budge (left) and Adam Julian wrestle a cuddly giant panda at the silent auction.
(l to r): Mick and Deb Venrick, and Dan and Cheryl Brooke
Patricia and Richard Thorpe
Volunteers Jennifer and David Lee with bears from the Military Bear Project–a $100 donation ensures that a child receives a personal note and a bear dressed in the military uniform of his or her lost loved one.
Barbara and Dick Martin
Jill and Tom Tarver
The Tom Dyk table settles in for dinner.
TAPS survivors Robin Leininger and son Nathan have attended this event for the past seven years.
Representing the Navy Recruiting District Denver in style
Sue and former Colorado state senator, Cliff Dodge
Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart and wife Jill
Scottie Iverson (left) and Cathy Anderson
Coors Cowboy Club food had ’em coming back for more.
Bob and Lisa Terry
John Aldan (left) and the Watson family: Rob and Erica (back row); Rosa and Anthony, front and center
Volunteer Andrea Castro and U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman
Auctioneers and performers gather before the show (l to r): Jim Manning, Al Train, Sonny Van Dusen, Zach Runquist, Jimmy Fortune and Roger Sierens
The live auction team (l to r): Roger Sierens, Al Train and Jim Manning
(l to r): Paula and Lt. Gen. Mike Gould (Ret.), headliner Jimmy Fortune and Mike’s sister Patty Gould
Gordon Burr tablemates: Erin Burr, Aizlinne Sceery, Jack and Pam Seago, Christine and Doug Burtt and Mark Burr
(l to r): Jodi Dyce, Pat Robinson, Tory Buchen and Edie Marks
Event co-founders Lynne and Bo Cottrell have raised $3 million for TAPS in nine years.
Event co-chairs Kevin Kreymborg and Linda Cavanagh
(l to r): Barb Simmons, radio host Mike Rosen, Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart and wife Jill, and Judy and Jim Suss
Toasting an enjoyable event at the Lloyd and Eleanor King table
Systems Group tablemates show off their patriotic spirit.
Travis Seabolt (left) and Luke Billingsley, from sponsor Greiner Electric
Volunteer of the Year awardee Tom Tarver (far right) chats with Wounded Warriors tablemates
The Brian Watson table enjoys the sounds of WildeFire during dinner.
(l to r): Brian and Julie Winters, and Dave and Annette Jewell
The silent auction attracted bidders throughout the event.
(l to r): Tyler Mitchell, Allie Haan, Nate Zeleski and Ashley Lyall
Bo and Lynne Cottrell (left) and Tony David congratulate Volunteers of the Year Jewell Hargrave and Tom Tarver on stage.
Emcee Steffan Tubbs, of 850 KOA radio, talks about his very-recent bicycle-riding injury.
State Sen. Nancy and Terry Todd
A packed house…or barn…enjoys the program.
Longtime supporter Jake Jabs with Rene Greene
Jim Neely (left) and Altitude TV Denver Nuggets analyst Bill Hanzlik
TAPS president and founder Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll (left) and Ron Spratt of TAPS (in red) award Bo and Lynne Cottrell with its highest honor, the Soldiers Cross.
Staff Sgt. Rob Watson and U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman
Event site host Steve Grove didn’t need a number to submit a winning live-auction bid…just old-fashioned hand raises.
Bonnie Carroll made a beeline to thank Steve Grove for his live-auction bid.
The live auction featured generous bids throughout.
Jane Johnson submitted the winning bid on prime rib prepared by Coors Cowboy Club.
Ralph Achilles had the crowd laughing with his comedy set.
Jane and Eddie Johnson
Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Fortune (second from right) performed with the Statler Brothers for 21 years.
Jimmy Fortune wowed the crowd.
Darryl Jones steps outside to catch the sunset.
Mort and Edie Marks
Penny Shuey and Fred Busser
Event co-founders Lynne and Bo Cottrell (left), with event co-chair Linda Cavanagh and event host Steve Grove
Bonnie Carroll and Ron Spratt, of TAPS, presented the Soldiers Cross to Bo and Lynne Cottrell; the Cottrells honored Volunteers of the Year Tom Tarver and Jewell Hargrave
Event Chairs:
Linda Cavanagh and Kevin Kreymborg
Founders:
Lynne and Bo Cottrell
Committee Members:
Paul and Joan Beninati, Mike and Carol Buchen, Gordon Burr, Christine Q. Burtt, John and Randee Conley, Joe and Gail Coors, Pete and Marilyn Coors, Tony and Danielle David, Jay and Susan Dikeman, Arapahoe County Commissioner Bill Holen, Aurora City Councilwoman Debi Hunter Holen, Jake Jabs, Dave and Annette Jewell, Rachel Kodanaz, Jimmy and Tracy Louthan, Mort and Edie Marks, Mark and Jill Morris, Brian and Jennifer O'Neill, Pat Robinson, Eric Schierburg, Tom and Jill Tarver, Randall Taylor, Mark and Lee Van Loucks
Speaker:
Bonnie Carroll, TAPS founder and chairman
Entertainment:
Dinner music by WildeFire: Tony David, Pam Hughes and Kerry Edwards; comedy by Ralph Achilles; concert by Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Fortune, formerly of the Statler Brothers, with Zach Renquist and Sydni Perry
Sponsors:
Major sponsors: Dyk Family and Harris Family, American Furniture Warehouse, Coors Cowboy Club, Greiner Electric, MillerCoors, Red Lion Hotel Denver Southeast, WizBang Solutions, Costello Banfi, Coyote Gold Margarita
Menu:
Coors Cowboy Club “Chuckwagon Crew” from Amarillo, Texas, prepared: delectable smoked prime rib, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and banana pudding to rave reviews
Attendance:
400-plus
Attire:
Country casual
Special Thanks:
TAPS Patriots: Tom Allee, Colorado State Senator David Balmer, Michael Brown, Steve and Marla Grove, Brig. General Steve Ritchie (Ret.), Mike Rosen, Colorado State Senator Nancy Todd, Steffan Tubbs
Information:
www.taps.org
Ticket Prices:
$150 per person (opening seating); patron table of 10: $2,000 (reserved seating); preferred table of 10 (preferred seating): $5,000; Band of Brothers table: $10,000 (premier seating)