VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA COLORADO

Denver

News: When it came time to decide on a successor to Western Fantasy, which for 30 years had been the signature fundraiser for Volunteers of America Colorado, plenty of good ideas were proposed, considered and eventually tossed aside.

After all, what possibly could take the place of this dress-Western event that had featured such big-name country singers as John Denver, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Wynonna Judd and Dierks Bentley and raised $35 million for VOA Colorado’s services for veterans, the unhoused and the hungry?

The powers that be at VOA knew that Western Fantasy’s successor needed to carry on a feel for the spirit of the West. Something that celebrated Colorado’s rich heritage and the compassion VOA has for those in need.

And thus was born SPIRIT Colorado. It would begin with a VIP dinner where an individual with deep ties to philanthropy, caring for others and the Western way of life would be honored. It would also include an outdoor food and wine festival where guests could sample beverages from Colorado wineries and distilleries, food from some of Denver’s favorite restaurants and entertainments from local musical groups.

The debut edition of SPIRIT Colorado, organizers say, exceeded expectations.

The VIP dinner held at ReelWorks on June 12 honored Sue Anschutz-Rodgers, while the June 14 food and wine festival filled a stretch of Larimer Street with revelers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anschutz-Rodgers’ selection was based on her extensive commitment to the people, land and legacy of Colorado, especially the state’s rural and southwestern communities. She founded Colorado Rural Philanthropy Days, an initiative connecting local nonprofits with statewide funders, and was named Citizen of the West by the National Western Stock Show in 2006. She has been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and has received the National Philanthropy Day in Colorado’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

As chair and president of the Anschutz Family Foundation, she has guided thousands of grants across Colorado, many of which have supported nonprofits in underserved and rural parts of the state.

At the dinner, Anschutz-Rodgers said being recognized by VOA was “Truly an honor, (one that) I deeply appreciate.” Her dedication to rural philanthropy, she added, “Has given me an opportunity to travel the state, meet people I otherwise never would have and learn what needs must be met.”

VOA Colorado board chair Glenn Rippey described the honoree as one whose “quiet grit” and dedication to helping others is “Woven into the fabric of our state. She invests in those who give our state its soul.”

To commemorate her honor, VOA Colorado’s president and chief executive officer, Dave Schunk, presented Anschutz-Rodgers with a southwest Colorado landscape painted by Denver artist Darrell Anderson.

Reggie Rivers, a former Denver Bronco and founder of The Gala Team, emceed the dinner that was attended by some 300 VOA supporters. He also called the live auction, where a wine tasting went for $3,000; diamond earrings from Trice Jewelers sold for $2,500 and a Denver Broncos package was snapped up for $3,750. Rivers also conducted the traditional paddle raise, where a donor wishing to remain anonymous kicked things off with a $100,000 pledge. Other levels of giving brought in $57,200.

Proceeds from ticket sales and other gifts are still being tallied, but indications are that goals were met and possibly exceeded.

“If everyone who purchased a table was able to attend, we would have had to move this to a venue larger than ReelWorks,” said Faustine Curry, VOA Colorado’s vice president for marketing and advancement. “So in a way, having the VIP dinner on a night when so many had other commitments was a good thing because our supporters feel so strongly about supporting VOA that they were willing to buy a table even though they knew they wouldn’t be able to attend.”

Among the guests: Herminia Vigil, who in November will succeed Glenn Rippey as chair of the VOA Colorado board; Abel Wurmnest, executive director of the Anschutz Family Foundation; Giovanna “Gigi” Mondavi, of the Mondavi winemaking family; Stan and Sarah Sena; George and Gail Johnson; Jay and Kristina Davidson, whose daughter, Michelle Gruber, was on the dinner committee with fellow guest Quinn Washington; Claudia and Jim Miller and Michael James, senior advancement officer for VOA Colorado.

About the organization: Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need transform their lives. It operates some 50 human service programs that reach over 100,000 Coloradans annually. They include emergency shelter, affordable housing, early childhood education and food/nutrition services.

Website: voacolorado.org

Have news or announcements for the Nonprofit Register? Email nonprofits@coloradopolitics.com and include a contact name and number if more information is needed.