Blog Archives

Like a favorite recipe, each year Soup for the Soul organizers add a dash and a dollop to cook up a new-and-improved version of its annual warm-and-wonderful event. In its 17th year, soup-focused comfort food in the hands of innovative chefs created a myriad of culinary delights for guests at Porter Hospice Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The result: Guests and those involved in very personal, emotional, life-and-death situations were able to support Porter Hospice programs and services during a delightful, uplifting evening.

Johnny Ballen, of The Squeaky Bean (left), greets Tom Martino.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, nearly 600 Porter Hospice supporters landed at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for an event that began with cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and a comprehensive silent auction. Guests had the opportunity to climb up and sit in an open jet cockpit, as harpist Barbara Lepke-Sims entertained throughout the lively reception. Polite Jazz Quartet took over during the dinner hour, as partygoers strolled among the grab-and-go food stations that lined the area. If people thought they would dine only on standard fare, instead they were treated to delicious soups and appetizers with intriguing twists, along with an assortment of deliciously crafted breads and desserts. One smiling diner was overheard saying, “I’m full of comfort food.”

A big smile from this Mercantile chef

The evening’s program focused on the programs and services of Porter Hospice and The Butterfly Program, emceed by noted food blogger and cookbook author Lee Roper. Morre Dean, CEO of South Denver Operating Group and Porter Adventist hospital and Nancy Stokes, Home Health and Hospice vice president spoke to the crowd before a video presentation. Shellylynne Jaynes-Heideman, senior clinical manager of Porter Hospice Residence; Stephanie Ortiz-Grabe, executive director of Clinical & Operational Services, Home Health and Hospice; and Katie Kilbane, clinical supervisor at Porter Hospice presented the Recognition Award to the hard-working Soup for the Soul committee. Karin Dolph, clinical manager of The Butterfly Program, and Karen Aalund, development officer at Porter Hospice Foundation, introduced the Appreciation Award that went to Mountain Range High School/DECA students. The evening concluded with remarks from Christopher Carey, president of the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation.

Proceeds from this year’s event support hospice patients who are nearing the end of life’s journey, and children and their families who are facing a serious illness. Thousands of patients and their families have been supported by the compassionate, expert care of Porter Hospice and The Butterfly Program.

The Healing Arts team (l to r): Barbara Lepke-Sims, Karen Aalund, Heather Dean and Gayle Pottle

Porter Hospice Foundation has provided compassionate, end-of-life care and bereavement services to the Denver-metro community for over 30 years. Hospice care is offered in the patient’s home, hospital, senior living community or the 17-bed residential center, Porter Hospice Residence. Public support has a positive impact on providing end-of-life services for patients and bereavement support to their families. Investing in Porter Hospice Foundation allows enables caregivers to help those with limited or no medical coverage, or are unable to pay for care themselves. For more information, please visit http://www.centurahealthathome.org/chh/our-specialties/porter-hospice/.

The Butterfly Program, originally founded by Children’s Hospital Colorado and Porter Hospice of Centura Health at Home, has filled a unique and relatively empty niche in the Denver metropolitan community since 1999. The program was initially designed to provide comprehensive pediatric palliative care, serving children and their families who had been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Since then, medical science and technology has enhanced the life of children with chronic and terminal diseases. The program, once aimed to help children primarily at the end of life, is now inclusive of children and their families who are contending with serious illnesses.

Children and their families enrolled in The Butterfly Program are able to access supportive services including nursing, social work, chaplaincy and expressive therapy while receiving curative and therapeutic medical interventions aligned with their goals of care. The focus of the program is solely on the quality of life for the child and their families. Members of the program’s interdisciplinary team work with children and their family to identify specific goals in physical, psychiatric/psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, ethical and legal aspects of care. The interdisciplinary team includes the medical director, nurses, social workers, non-denominational chaplains, expressive therapists, bereavement counselors and volunteers. To learn more, please go to: https://www.centurahealthathome.org/chh/our-specialties/the-butterfly-program/.

A cold, snowy day calls for comfort food and guests at the 15^th annual Soup for the Soul found plenty. The more than 800 attendees – a record number for the event – dined on a decadent array of delicious warm soups. Ladle after ladle brought something different and divine, from thick broccoli cheddar by Panera Bread to hearty beef and bison red chili by 15|Fifty at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel to Cantonese Medicine Broth by The Squeaky Bean to Foraged Mushroom bisque with a black winter truffle creama by Barolo Grill. Every restaurant offered an accompanying appetizer such as Moroccan stuffed mussels by Fuel Café or peanut jalepeno bacon crisps by Dazzle Jazz Restaurant and Lounge to short rib, mashed potatoes and crispy onions by LoHi Steakbar. There’s no quota to the number of helpings. For many, it’s a staple gathering.

“We have people saying, ‘I will never miss this event.’ It’s fun, special,” shared Centura Health and Home Senior Vice President, Clinical Transformation Erin Denholm.  Along with a league of restaurants, 45 corporations step up to support the cause and 60 volunteers come out to help make the evening a smooth success. In terms of planning, 30 people devote nine months to putting all the pieces in place. A big shout out was given to Chris Agnew, Jeannie Bennington and Holly Stabler who have been faithfully involved since day one.

This year funds raised will support The Butterfly Program, which was also celebrating its 15^th year of service. The Butterfly Program, sponsored by Porter Hospice and Children’s Hospital Colorado, fills an important and relatively empty niche in the Denver metropolitan community. This nationally recognized program serves families with children who have been diagnosed with a serious illness. The Butterfly Program offers pediatric palliative and comfort care, either at home or in the hospital.

The Soup for the Soul Award of Courage began 10 years ago to recognize strength in the face of adversity. This year’s award honored The Davis Family who have handled themselves with grace and dignity while also inspiring others along the way. In 2013, Claire Davis, a senior at Arapahoe High School was shot by a fellow student. Although her family suffered an incredible loss, they have chosen to love in Claire’s legacy as Claire did by reaching out to the shooter that day. They live out their motto: “Kindness and love can chance the world.”

“Our lives have purpose,” shared Claire’s mother Desiree Davis, as she accepted the award. “We are here to feed the souls of one another. We can choose to do that with love or ignore the needs of others. We all can make a difference for others if we choose to give compassionate support, forgiveness and love.”

Before dining, guests are encouraged to go shopping. The event showcased more than 200 auction items, featuring original artwork, sports and spa options, and intriguing travel.

“I can’t decide,” gleefully shared one guest as she paused to ponder where to put her bid. “There are so many great choices.”

A jovial Solitaire crew once again came to the party with a mouthwatering signature hors d’oeuvre: cherry smoked sturgeon on potato bilini with horseradish, shaved beets and Tobico caviar. More delicious Solitaire creations can be found in late March when the restaurant will open its doors in the Highlands. In addition, SmithandTruslow.com gave each guest with an original spice blend, sea salt or organic spice.

Soup is simply special. It’s what we give to others when they are sick to help them feel better. It’s what warms us when we are feeling low. And, in this case, it’s what unites a community for a very worthwhile cause. As Louis P. DeGoy wrote: Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living. There is nothing like a plate or a bowl of hot soup, it’s wisp of aromatic steam making the nostrils quiver with anticipation, to dispel the depressing effects of a grueling day at the office or the shop, rain or snow in the streets, or bad news in the papers. Next year, put away your can of Campbell’s and taste the delights of Denver’s soup-spectacular restaurants. You will leave feeling warming fed.