More than 2,000 civic, philanthropic and political leaders filled a converted Air Force hanger on Wednesday night to honor Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, the 2016 recipient of the Mizel Institute’s annual Community Enrichment Award.

The institute’s annual dinner, dubbed “spring political prom” by one wag on Twitter, returned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver to bestow the honor on an individual who exemplifies service toward bettering the community.

“Tonight,” said master of ceremonies Gov. John Hickenlooper, “we get to honor the leader of our great city of Denver, a man who really defines heart and soul – really, all his contributions embody the values of the Mizel Institute – my friend, Michael B. Hancock.”

“He wakes up every day ready to go to work – he’s like a kid in a candy store, I tell him all the time. But I know there are a lot of things he won’t tell me,” said the mayor’s wife, Mary Louise Lee, adding, “He goes to sleep at night with that on his heart, that on his mind.” Then she performed a show-stopping tribute to her husband in song, filling the cavernous hall with Destiny’s Child’s “Stand Up For Love.”

“Mayor Hancock’s unwavering commitment to the people of Denver is directly in line with the mission of the Mizel Institute. He has devoted his life to improving education and increasing civic engagement,” said Larry Mizel, who, along with his wife, Carol, hosted the annual event.

After ticking off a lengthy list of civic improvements and initiatives undertaken by Hancock, who was elected Denver’s 45th mayor in 2011 and reelected to a second term last year, Mizel said, “Clearly, there’s no limit to the mayor’s vision for Denver. He has never lost sight of the people and how their lives will be affected. Mayor Michael B. Hancock truly is the heart and soul of Denver.”

“I pinch myself every day to remind me that I am indeed living the dream, of serving the city I love,” said a visibly moved Hancock, who thanked friends, family, staff and supporters.

“Tonight I accept this honor on behalf of the people of Denver, who dared to give this kid of their city a shot at his dream. I accept this award on behalf of the team I serve with every day in the foxhole, giving everything they have for the people of this great city. And I accept this award on behalf of my wife and children, who bear the unequal burden so that I may live my dream and serve the people of Denver,” Hancock said.

He closed with a poem attributed to Mother Theresa, including the lines, “The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.”

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.

The Community Enrichment Award has been handed out by the Mizel Institute since 1990 to civic, philanthropic and community leaders. Past recipients include Hickenlooper, Arlene and A. Barry Hirschfeld (in separate years), 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, Pat Bowlen and William Hybl.

– ernest@coloradostatesman.com