
Any event held at the lovely William Matthews’ Studio and Gallery at 2540 Walnut Street, lower downtown Denver is a treat. It’s where, Tuesday night, guests were delighted with gourmet farm-to-table noshes, accompanied by an array of Colorado spirits and, best of all, the opportunity to privately view original art inside a world class gallery designed with Western art lovers in mind. The Mile High United Way Tocqueville Society gathered at the Matthews’ studio for a petite partie where members of the society were feted for their generosity and enduring support of the Mile High United Way.
The Tocqueville Society, made up of 65 members is known as the Champions Circle. This small but powerful group chaired by Travis Webb, Brad Busse and Cheryl Hefner bring in over $5 million a year for programs such as Project Homeless Connection, Power Lunch and the 211 Call Center.
With the foothills flood on everyone’s mind, it remains a major concern for Coloradans. Yes, the Mile High United Way has been there every step of the way. Flood victims have benefitted from United Way funds and the 211 Call Center has been instrumental in helping people move back into their homes. The misplaced victims, and the many devastated roads and businesses were given an unexpected boost last week when The Mile High United Way raised $650,000 through ticket sales at a flood benefit concert with Colorado’s The Fray and the well-known Dave Matthews Band. William Matthews, on this Tuesday night, also revealed his generous colors by donating 20% of all sales to the Mile High United Way.
The Mile High United Way Champions Circle Night Out is an annual celebration designed to thank donors for their commitment and investment to change lives and transform our community by focusing on the building blocks of life: school readiness, youth success and adult self-sufficiency. The Champions Circle, a giving circle who are part of a powerful membership group of nearly 400 leaders in the Mile High United Way Tocqueville Society, represent the best of the philanthropic community in the Denver metro area. The Champions Circle members contribute $25,000 or more annually. The mission of the Champions Circle is to promote giving and the volunteer spirit by uniting the philanthropic efforts of exceptional individuals. Collectively, members of the Champions Circle make up over half of the Tocqueville Society’s investment in the community, giving over $5 million annually.
For more information on The Mile High United Way organization and how you can contribute please go to their website:
http://www.unitedwaydenver.org
- Welcome to the event
- William Matthews captures the West
- Watercolors say William Matthews
- The artist knows cowboys
- Hanging on to his hat
- Waiting
- Din-Din
- Each guest received a signed book from artist William Matthews
- A canoe hanging from the ceiling at William Matthews’ Studio & Gallery
- L to R: Chelsea Carver, Sue & Howard Carver
- L to R: Lisa Nierenberg, Shelley & Phillip Tamminga, Laura Barton
- L to R: President and CEO Christine Benero, Jason & Jodi Maples
- Ken Mowad, Kay Tabor
- L to R: William Matthews, Ed Blair, Rick Ambrose
- L to R: Becky Stevens, William Matthews, Laura Barton
- L to R: Brad Busse, Nicole Llyod, Todd Roebken
- L to R: Jennifer Stokes, Ed Blair, Cheryl Hefner
- Kathy Ambrose, Chelsea Carver
- Marty & Phyllis Ruffalo
- Teresa Van De Bogart, Yun Hui
- L to R: Barb & Rod Thacker, Jeffrey & Joanne O’Neill
- ‘Strange Americans’: Matt Hoffman, Trent Nelson
- Cocktail hour
- L to R: Scott & Teresa Binder, Brian Deevy
- Debra & Jim Sponnick
- L to R: Nancy & Board Chair Brian Jackson, Julie & Mike Bearup
- Barbara & Ben Lewis
- Susan McIntire, Jennifer Stokes
- Hugh Williamson, Brad Busse
- L to R: Jeffrey & Joanne O’Neill, Teresa Binder, Christine Benero, Scott Binder
- L to R: Christine Benero, Ben Lewis, Teri Anderson, Bill Duffy
- Sean & Christine Daly
- L to R: Elizabeth Vonne, David Hammond & Mary Mead-Hammond
- Mike & Jill Gass
- Kathryn & Lee Terry
- Mouthfuls of heaven
- Chicken empanadas
- Apple bites
- Todd & Lindsay Filsinger
- Tasty little sliders
- Rick Ambrose, Rod Thacker
- Greta Walker, Amanda Genakos
- Shelley Tamminga, Greta Walker
- Chit, Chat
- William Matthews, left, discussing art
- L to R: Melissa Westerman, Lisa Nierenberg. Rick Westerman
- I want this one!
- L to R: Brett Dolan, Todd Roebken, Scott Binder
- L to R: Jodi Maples, Phyllis Ruffalo, Marty Ruffalo, Jason Maples
- Ed Blair, Mark Taylor
- Art talk
- Scott & Cheryl Hefner
- Phillip Tamminga, Ben Lewis
- Brad Busse, William Matthews
- People found a chair around 7:30 p.m.
- Leslie Hannon, Susan McIntire
- Kerri-Ann Appleton, Amanda Genakos
- Felicity O’Herron, Travis Webb
- Chef Jensen Cummings
- Artist William Matthews speaking to the guests