It’s tough to get a room full of even a few politicians, civic leaders and public servants to agree about anything, but on Wednesday night some 2,000 of them packed a cavernous converted Air Force hanger and were united in at least one sentiment: the community has benefited immensely from the generosity of A. Barry Hirschfeld.

The occasion was the Mizel Institute’s annual dinner, held at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in the Lowry neighborhood in Denver, where Hirschfeld was the recipient of the 2015 Community Enrichment Award, given annually by the Institute to an individual who exemplifies service toward bettering the community.

“Tonight, we get to honor one of the truly great leaders in this state,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “His contributions exemplify all the great values of the Mizel Institute.”

Proceeds from the fundraising dinner support the Mizel Institute, which operates the Mizel Museum and the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (the CELL), both in Denver. The museum is dedicated to fostering understanding across cultures through the arts and the CELL aims to strengthen public safety with exhibits, speakers and training to help people play a role in preventing terrorism.

“It’s really special to present (the award) to a good friend of mine,” said Larry Mizel, who, along with his wife, Carol, hosted the annual event. Recalling that he’s known Hirschfeld for some 50 years, Mizel said, “We share this admiration with someone who never, never quits until the job is done. And a man who has contributed to all facets of our community.”

Mizel praised Hirschfeld, a Denver native and East High School alum: “He keeps his finger on the pulse of the community better than anybody else I know. He doesn’t just look around and see things that need attention, he takes action, with the hustle and spirit of an Energizer Bunny.”

Noting that the night’s honoree had spent two decades helming the family printing business, the A.B. Hirschfeld Press, founded by his grandfather in 1907, Mizel lauded his old friend for his impact on the region’s arts, humanities, healthcare, sports, the economy and tourism

Hirschfeld has been inducted into the Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame and the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. He organized the pioneering Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and was a founding board member of the district. Hirschfeld has also served in numerous philanthropic roles, including chairing the board of the Denver Art Museum and key involvement with the Boettcher Foundation, the Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, National Jewish Health, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, the American Transplant Foundation, the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, the Greenway Foundation, the Clyfford Still Museum and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. He’s also an ace golfer, dinner organizers noted.

Wearing his trademark bow tie — the accessory was in abundance at the dinner — a beaming Hirschfeld called the award “a dream come true” and said he was both honored and humbled by the recognition. Joking that he felt a little bit like a big shot, he recalled the words of his grandfather: “A big shot is just a little shot who keeps on shooting.”

“This community has enriched me,” he continued. “It’s provided me the opportunity to work in concert and alongside so many passionate people who strive to make Denver a better place in which to live, raise a family, be blessed with good fortune, and a commitment to give back each step of the way.”

Hirschfeld credited his family, including the values he learned from his parents and the support of his wife, Arlene, herself a past winner of the Community Enrichment Award. Addressing her, he said, “Honey, after 48 years, I still can’t get enough of you.”

Giving back to the community amounts to more than merely checking off all the right boxes, he said. “We strive to further enrich our community by creating an environment that values the individual, encourages accessibility by leveling the playing field, offers quality education, enhances the creative spirit and provides a sense of purpose for all to realize their dreams.”

Then, thanking the attendees at the dinner, he concluded, “You mean the world to me, and I’m convinced that, together, we can effect positive change, to make our community all that it can be, and much, much more.”

Before introducing the dinner’s entertainment — a presentation called “At the Table with Dr. King,” performed by More Than Music, a group that delivers a tuneful message of tolerance at area schools — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock thanked Carol and Larry Mizel for their “continued, unparalleled commitment to Denver and the state of Colorado.”

Mizel also honored Ellen Premack, the outgoing executive director of the Mizel Museum, for her years of service. She said she was ready to begin the next phase of her life, devoted to “animals, art and aviation.”

The annual Mizel Institute dinner is routinely host to politicians of all stripes, civic, business and philanthropic leaders, and members of the military and public safety officials. This year, Colorado’s federal delegation was occupied in Washington, D.C., but members sent congratulatory letters honoring Hirschfeld. “An ethical, successful business and community leader, and a committed family man, Barry is an example for us all. His life seems like the formula for success that we all should emulate,” wrote U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. His colleague, U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, wrote, “Your family’s long history of entrepreneurship and public service should be an inspiration to all of us to strive for the betterment of our state, our community, and ourselves.”

The Mizel Institute has been bestowing the award since 1990 to civic, philanthropic and community leaders. Past honorees include Arlene Hirschfeld, Cindy and Steve Farber, Peter Coors, Norman Brownstein, Daniel Ritchie, Dean Singleton, Sharon Magness Blake, Anna and John J. Sie, Gov. Roy Romer, Gov. Bill Owens and first lady Frances Owens, then-Mayor John Hickenlooper and Pat Bowlen. Last year’s recipient was William Hybl.

Ginnie Eldredge, former Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman at the Mizel Institute’s annual fundraising dinner on May 20.

Barry Hirschfeld takes the stage after Larry Mizel presented him with the Mizel Institute’s 2015 Community Enrichment Award on May 20 at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver at the institute’s annual dinner.

Cheston Mizel, Courtney Mizel, Elana and Hayden Hirschfeld and A. Berry Hirschfeld, Jr., pose for photographs on May 20 at the entrance to the Mizel Institute’s annual fundraising dinner, where A. Barry Hirschfeld, Sr., was the recipient of the Community Enrichment Award.

Denver district attorney candidate Michael Carrigan and Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler talk about old times — the two worked together in the Jefferson County district attorney’s office decades ago — at the Mizel Institute’s dinner on May 20 in Denver.

Centennial Institute president and former Colorado Senate President John Andrews congratulates Colorado Springs mayor-elect John Suthers on his win in the runoff election the night before as the two make their way through a packed Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum on May 20 in Denver.

Diane Huttner and Pat Brown make their way through the crowds at the Mizel Institute’s annual fundraising dinner on May 20 in Denver.

Denver City Council candidate Kevin Flynn and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President Kelly Brough catch up at the Mizel Institute’s annual dinner on May 20 at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver.

Brian Watson and Pete Coors pause for a moment at the Mizel Institute’s annual dinner on May 20 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.

Father Juan and Father Kelly of Notre Dame in Jerusalem, Senate President Bill Cadman, Senate President Pro Tem Ellen Roberts and Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel visit at the Mizel Institute’s annual dinner on May 20 in Denver.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock talks about Community Enrichment Award honoree Barry Hirschfeld as Gov. John Hickenloooper stands by on May 20 at the Mizel Institute’s annual fundraising dinner in Denver.

“I would like to say thank you for being a man not just of your word but one of actions,” says Larry Mizel, presenting the Mizel Institute’s Community Enrichment Award to Barry Hirschfeld on May 20 in Denver.

Barry Hirschfeld accepts the Mizel Institute’s Community Enrichment Award from Larry Mizel at the Institute’s annual fundraising dinner on May 20 in Denver.

— Ernest@coloradostatesman.com