Author: Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics

DENVER HEALTH FOUNDATION Denver News: When word got out that the Denver Health Foundation’s annual fundraising gala would have a new look this year, some wondered aloud if that was a good idea. The phrase “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” became frequently used as supporters recalled the excitement generated at galas past by…

CENTRAL CITY OPERA Central City News: For as many years as anyone can remember, Newell Grant and his late wife, Judy, were among the Central City Opera’s most dedicated supporters. Thus, it was only fitting that the company’s signature fundraiser, the April 5 Theatre of Dreams Gala, would honor their service on what would have…

COLORADO VETERANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Denver News: The Colorado Veterans Chamber of Commerce is up and running, following a late February launch event held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1, 841 Santa Fe Dr., Denver. It is the first chamber organization in the state to focus on supporting, empowering, and fostering the growth…

NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER FOR THE DISABLED Winter Park News: The National Sports Center for the Disabled hosts its annual RethinkAbility Vertical Feet Ski Challenge on April 12 and 13 at Winter Park Resort. It’s a fundraiser where participants attempt to shred the most vertical feet in one day. In exchange for a minimum $75 registration…

MILE HIGH UNITED WAY Denver News: It was apparent that no one wanted to play hooky on March 22 when 900 civic leaders gathered not in a kindergarten classroom but in the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom for some modern-day ABCs imparted by Sheryl Lee Ralph, who stars in ABC’s smash hit, “Abbott Elementary.”…

CHILDREN’S DIABETES FOUNDATION Aurora News: Thanks to spring break vacations, the 46th Spring Brass Ring Luncheon didn’t have quite the crowd it usually does. Still, with a respectable attendance of 500, the March 21 event was as elegant, meaningful, and financially successful as it always was. Net income was still being tallied at press time,…

ROUNDUP RIVER RANCH Gypsum News: Troy Guard is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his Guard and Grace restaurant by staging a deluxe cocktails-and-small bites soiree on April 17, with proceeds going to Roundup River Ranch. Guard has enlisted 15 of his Denver chef pals to create small bites for the $100-a-ticket event. Guest bartenders also…

HOPE HOUSE Arvada News: Recent graduate Kate Joy firmly believes that “Every teen mom needs a Hope House.” Thanks to a $1 million gift from Yield Giving, a giving platform established by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the Arvada-based nonprofit will be able to provide personal and economic self-sufficiency programs to even more parenting teen moms. The…

DENVER BALLET GUILD Denver News: This year marks the first time that breakdancing is an Olympics sport, so it was only natural for Denver Ballet Guild to add a “breaking” performance by the BBOY Factory to its otherwise traditional Showcase of Dance. The two-day event, chaired by Lisa Olson and Cate Ness, is the guild’s…