6th Annual Empty Bowl Is Full of Support for Love INC of Littleton

Posted: Lisa Perry

When mountaineer Eric Alexander was in the midst of a terrifying fall off a high mountain ledge, he told the crowd at this year’s Empty Bowl fundraiser he was thinking of four-letter words: Stop. Help. Grab. “And a few others,” he added. Miraculously, his descent stopped on a small ledge the size of a speaker’s podium, and he said he knew God had other things planned for his life. Most certainly his stories of faith, courage and helping others inspired 400 guests at this year’s fundraiser for Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) of Littleton.

A show of friendship at the artisan-bowl table

On Thursday, Oct. 15, supporters made the trek to The Wildlife Experience for a unique fundraiser that featured a soup buffet along with a message to fill each “empty bowl” with service. The evening began with a welcome table full of hand-crafted bowls created by Colorado artists and a sign asking guests to choose their favorite. The accompanying silent auction and reception spanned all of the gallery rooms with music provide by Close N Encounters. Guests got an early start on their holiday shopping with the option to buy mystery wine, as well as mystery gift cards for a modest donation. Soon, soup buffet stations opened with friendly volunteers serving delicious enticements prepared by Wildlife Experience chefs. Most popular selection? Jazzy jambalaya was a tasty treat to these guests, snapped up early on.

Father Sean

The dinner program was emceed by congenial, engaging host Father Sean McGrath, of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. “Giving a Hand Up,” the event’s theme, easily segued from Love INC’s mission of “bringing churches together, helping people in need and transforming lives” to keynote speaker Eric Alexander’s stories of literally giving a hand up to people with disabilities—while summiting some of the highest peaks in the world. Alexander had the crowd riveted with dramatic and humorous accounts of his adventures, some chronicled in his book: “The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest’s Death Zone.”

A spirited live auction led by Tom Kimball, featured an excursion led by Alexander and garnered identical bids by two lucky guests who will each be able to take advantage of the experience. At program’s end, Love INC’s executive director, Rev. Doug McKinney, was honored for his service.

Keynote speaker, mountaineer and author Eric Alexander (left), with Love Inc of Littleton’s executive director, Rev. Doug McKinney

Love INC of Littleton is an affiliate of Love INC, a national ministry currently operating in over 30 states. The mission of Love INC, to mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ, is carried out by more than 12,000 churches at over 155 affiliates across the United States. Church and community partners working together to meet needs forms the foundation of each Love INC affiliate.

Since opening at the end of 2008, the Love INC movement in Littleton has come alongside people in need and formed relationships to give a hand up. LOVE INC’s Transformational Ministries take the next step for those climbing out of poverty and despair who want real life change, guiding and equipping clients with knowledge and practice in changing habits and skills to help them recognize their value in God’s eyes and to humankind. One Love INC client wrote: “Love INC is kind of like a family. When they came into my life, it was like they were the light at the end of the tunnel while I was climbing a very steep mountain.” For more information, please visit: www.loveinclittleton.org.

: Guests chose hand-crafted artisan bowls upon arrival.

: Keynote speaker, mountaineer and author Eric Alexander (left), with Love Inc of Littleton’s executive director, Rev. Doug McKinney

: Tables are readied for 400 guests.

: Elsie and Heinz Schoenhoff

: Ron Harpster and Conli Fraze

: Brian and Skye McGlawn

: Leanah Haugen (front), and Suzanne and Leon Thomas

: Suzanne and Leon Thomas

: The silent auction and reception spanned The Wildlife Experience gallery.

: Robert and Betty Dalrymple

: Carole Alvarez checks details on a silent auction item.

: Ralph and Carole Alvarez

: Silent auction bidding among The Wildlife Experience animal sculptures

: Checking bids at the silent auction

: Board member Sherri Martinelli (left), with Cheryl Newman

: (l to r): Michael and Laraine Carlson, and Conli and Dick Fraze

: Julie Eastland and David Anderson

: A show of friendship at the artisan-bowl table

: Close N Encounters entertained during the silent auction and reception.

: Handling mystery gift cards and mystery wines: volunteers Kathie and Dennis Simpson

: Stephanie Williams (back left) and Michelle Beekhuizen, with Mellary and Dalton

: The reception was held in The Wildlife Experience gallery.

: Avery (left) and Sara Nowak

: Paula Wilson (left) and Priscilla Winter

: The reception offered a chance to chat among friends and supporters.

: Martha and Jim Krentz

: Church friends at the reception

: (l to r): Ad Coors, BJ Coors, Nancy Malmsten and Douglas McDonald

: (l to r): Ad Coors, BJ Coors, Nancy Malmsten, and Linda and Douglas McDonald

: Patricia and board secretary Bill LaRock, with board chair Cynthia Dekker (right)

: Marni and Tom Wetzel

: Darrell Schulte (left) and Bruce Oyler

: Keynote speaker Eric Alexander (left), with Andrew Lumpkin

: (l to r): Avery, Sara and Morgan Nowak

: David and Beverley Roy, with Peter Ewers (right)

: Tim and Betty Gaylord

: Ralph Alvarez and Mardel Yeates

: Soup serving stations surrounded the dining room.

: Soup servers Dawn and Kyle Small

: Soup was served by smiling volunteers.

: The Wildlife Experience’s Brandi Geiser, event coordinator, and Paul Huddleson, executive chef

: The Jack Dekker table

: Battilega Family Foundation tablemates

: Enjoying dinner at board treasurer Rick Pfaffman’s table

: CoBiz Bank tablemates

: Rev. Shane and Kelly Sapp

: Julie Schmitz and her daughter helped serve soup to 400 guests.

: Enjoying dinner: Littleton United Methodist Church members

: Tami Lopez (left) and Lynda Bashara

: 26 artisans and art groups provided complimentary bowls for guests.

: Savoring delicious soup at dinner

: Irrepressible, entertaining emcee Fr. Sean McGrath, of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church

: Father Sean

: Guests were moved by this year’s Love Inc video presentation.

: Mountaineer and author of “The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest’s Death Zone,” Eric Alexander

: Eric Alexander talks about a symbolic empty bowl filled with service to others.

: Auctioneer Tom Kimball

30 Apr

JFS Hosts legend Archie Manning

Posted: Pam Cress

It’s evident that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree when looking at where Peyton and Eli Manning got their talent and initiative.

Their father Archie Manning, a football star and motivational speaker in his own rite, came to Denver for the 10th annual Jewish Family Service Executive Luncheon on Wednesday.

The sold out crowd enjoyed listening to the Manning family stories, including the fact that eldest brother Cooper was actually the most talented athletically (is that possible??) but had to retire from football because of health reasons. Archie took the stage to great applause, limping a little bit and told the crowd he’d be getting knee surgery soon. “My offensive line wasn’t as good as Peyton’s,” he quipped.

He had a poignant message that leadership and goals make all the difference in life, quoting several famous people who agreed with that sentiment. “If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them,” Archie quoted Yogi Berra as saying.

Also talking about goals and working hard to make it in life was Veronica Huerta, who started out her young adult life full of drugs and bad habits. Through perseverance and a driving goal to be there for her twin boys, Veronica told of how Jewish Family Service helped her get back on her feet and pursue a successful career. She’s “living the dream” now, with a husband and family who loves her, a good job, her own house, and peace of mind.

Jewish Family Service believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis.

: Gala Chairs John Keith and David friedman

: Gala Chairs John Keith and David Friedman flank Board Chairman Eric Pollock, center

: John Conn, left, Matt Arb, guest speaker Veronica Huerta (back row); in front: Jaimie Vela-Davis and Victoria Garduno

: Damian Guillot, left, Katerina Schload, Tyler and Natalie Tysdal

: Cathy Fleischmann, left, Terry Rubin, Julia Kalan

: JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky with John Kayser, director of marketing

: Barbara Goldburg, left, Bob Rottman, ML Winfrey

: Jeff Olson, left, Laura Michaels, Beth Radetsky, Sandie Radetsky Banks

: Rabbi Julian Cook, left, and Don Kaufmann

: Jerry Berenstein, left, and Stan Marks

: Mike Opatowski with board member Jane Rosenbaum and Yana Vishnitsky

: Seymour Rubenstein, left, with Charlene Loup, Marsha Feuer, Jack Feuer, Stephanie Feuer

: John Fiedler, left, Jeff Zinn and Jeffrey Robinson

: Suzi Muller chats with Cathy Summer

: Andy Levy with Phyllis Averch

: Harvey and Carol Karsh

: Josh Lozow, left, Len Vandermee and Bud Brown

: Amy Rasco, left, Lori Dresner and Paul Murchison

: Bruce Granger, left, Leif Olsen and Michael Williams

: Rhett Trees, left, and Peter Nemkov

: Scott Bemis, left, and Ed Greene

: Mike Marcotte, left, and Marcel Pitton

: Elise Zall and Rabbi Eliot Baskin

: Perry, Arlene and Arthur Moss

: Max and Elaine Appel, Jesse Ogas and Len Vandermere

: Susie Moss, left, chats with Ellen Finer

: Doug McKinnon, left, Judy Robins and Ed Barad

: Louise Schwartz with Rick Schepis and Doug Seserman of Jewish Colorado

: Jane and Gil Hermann

: Kevin Shaw, left, and Todd Bishop and Dan Baxter

: Ross Chotin, left, Robin Chotin and Whitney Chotin Wolz

: Elaine Asarch, Deborah Asarch and Susan Weinberger

: Joyce Zeff and her daughter Diana Anderson

: Ed Greene was the emcee this year

: Rabbi Eliot Baskin delivers the Ha-Motzi

: Steve Farber, left, and Adam Agron

: Vernoica Huerta tells the audience about her life journey

: Archie Manning, center, visits with table guests

: Mark Goodside, left, Marc Naiman, Nancy and David Kaufman

: Terry Halligan, left, Becky Coplan, Lezlie Goldberg and Jon Tandler

: Archie Manning talks about his days with the NFL

: Archie Manning had many stories about his kids–Cooper, Peyton and Eli Manning

: Archie Manning talks about leadership

: Archie Manning makes a point

: Archie Manning reflects on his life’s triumphs and challenges

: Past Board Chair Alan Mayer, left, with Dawn Richard and David Friedman

: Archie Manning posed for pictures after the event.

05 Nov

Taste for Life Benefitting Project Angel Heart

Posted:

Project Angel Heart’s Taste for Life event was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Denver on November 5th. More than 800 community leaders, culinary experts and attendees enjoyed tasting plates and cocktails from a few of Denver’s most celebrated restaurants and caterers. Through ticket sales, donations and a silent auction, the annual event raises funds for Project Angel Heart, which provides nutritious meals for members of the community fighting life-threatening illnesses. Guests enjoyed live entertainment, a wide array of items at the silent auction, and complimentary food and beverages from some of the most popular establishments in the area.

Project Angel Heart is a non-profit organization that delivers nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life-threatening illness in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas. Started in 1991 by providing 12 clients with a single donated meal, the organization has grown immensely, and now serves over 445,000 meals to nearly 2,000 clients in the area. Over the past 22 years, Project Angel Heart prides itself on serving “meals with love” for men, women and children living with a life-threatening illness.

: Guests enjoy some of the many silent auction items available

: More than 800 attendees showed their support at the event

: Chris Renda and Jonathan Goodbread

: Dessert anyone?

: Plates from Shells and Sauce

: Pie samplers from Pie in the Sky were a big hit with attendees

: Guests sample plates from Second Home

: Jen Newby, left, with Marlys Nassau

: Kelley Hamm, left and Shelly Rule

: Kyle Zaccagani, from the Inventing Room, shows off the magic behind their “exploding whipped cream”

: Andrew Schneider, left, with Joseph Schuster

: Bill and Cyntha Timmons

: The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown

: Maria Clifford and AJ Gibson

: Nathan and Laney Myers

: From left, Edit Garfinkle, Ann Marie Joyce, and Elaine and Arnold Tinter

: From left, Lindsay Backet, Kim Bills, Brian Werle, Ben Carrick and JT Vrabel

: Stan Griffith and Michael Thompson

: Bob Grabowski and Ann Padilla

: Dillon Peters and Jamie Huhn

: Jeanie Curley and Sarah Beechler attend the event

: Attendees enjoy lounge areas provided by sponsors

: Josh and Kendrick Taylor

: Guests enjoyed a wide array of food from Denver area restaurants

: Local brewery Great Divide was the beer sponsor for the evening

: Herb Quintana, left and Mike Giglio

: Ron Nemiran and Erin Shay

: Raymond Jones and Morie Smile

: Jason Fowler and Katie Gallehugh

: Volunteer David Walsh sells leis to help raise funds for the organization

: Eric and Lana Lipinski

: Davis and Karyn Schiele

: Justin Ball, left, with ERic Deffenbaugh and William Browning

: Alex Banuelosa and Julie Allen

: Lindsey Bowman, left, with Cliff Watters, and Courtney Gibbs

: Michael and Terri Poulos

: From left, Bhavini, Serena and Smita Patel

: Project Angel Heart employees, Mary Grace Blowers, left, and Sue Heeger

: Bread and Butter committee member Katie Seyl

: Nate Hebert and Carrie Shores from Table 6

: Carley Hayes, left, with Kristen Johnson and Rebekah Cornwell

: Carrie Clark and Kyle Thompson

: From left, Kevin Delk, Blake Manning, Sarah McMurchie, Logan Trussell, Jessica Schultes, and Andrea Wagoner from Beatrice & Woodsley serve plates for the attendees

: Paul Ferraresi, left, with Jay Seller

: Shelly and Mike Boespflug, left, with Jim and Nannette Preciado, all from sponsor Proximo Spirits

: Christopher and Laura Hudnall

: The event aimed to raise $200,000 for the organization

: Music was provided by Loungebeat

11 Aug

Culinary Design Challenge 2013

Posted:

Let the cooking begin! Food was chopped, sautéed, roasted and sliced as four teams, each led by a renowned chef, competed to win the 2013 Culinary Design Challenge. The four teams were: Team GE MONOGRAM (Black) led by Chef Martin Yan, of Yan Can Cook; Team WOLF (Red) led by Chef Elise Wiggins of Panzano; Team MEILE (White) led by Chef Michel Wahaltere of AMBLI and Team THERMADOR (Blue) led by Chef Virginia Davis of The Kitchen Mistress. All teams were given the same set of ingredients consisting of items such as ground buffalo, duck breasts, broccolini, stilton and goat cheeses. Each team worked under the direction of their chef to produce an entree which was then evaluated by the panel of judges. Darrin Alfred, Daniel Asher and Patricia Bainter were the judges for the event. Rachel Folsom of Luxe served as the emcee and announced the winner Elise Wiggins and Team RED.

The event was held at Kitchens at the Denver, a kitchen design center, full of the latest high end appliances and finishes.

The Culinary Design Challenge was a fundraiser for We Don’t Waste, which is a non-profit which collects leftover food from restaurants, caterers and events. The food is then delivered to shelters and non-profits serving the hungry. Over a million servings of food are collected and re-distributed each year. Over 300 tons of high quality food are re-directed from the landfill and used to feed those in need in Denver.

For more information about We Don’t Waste, please check out their website at wedontwaste.org