June 5, 2009Page 25
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The Denver Foundation connectscommunity at Annual Celebrationdespite down economy the spiritof giving is up
Before the doors opened toguests at the Belmar Event Centeron May 12, 2009, five individualshung suspended from the ceilingby ropes. No, they were not in dis-tress. Taking part in The DenverFoundation’s Annual Celebration,performers from Frequent Flyers were simply doing what they dobest -- preparing to wow an audi-ence of over 650 community lead-ers, grantees, neighbors and volun-teers with their aerial acrobatics.In accordance with the themeof Connecting Community Pieceby Piece, Foundation Board ChairRich Lopez stated: “We’re celebrat-ing how each of us is linked toone another – through profession-al associations, family, friends,volunteer commitments and thecauses we celebrate. All of theseconnections come together to makeup the complete puzzle that is ourcommunity.” Two of the Foundation’s thou-sands of stories were highlighted toillustrate this interconnectedness.First was the story of Blanca Trejo,an energetic high school student who became engaged in CommunityOrganizing through MetropolitanOrganization for People (MOP), aninitiative that The Foundation’sStrengthening NeighborhoodProgram supports. She now worksfor MOP as Organizer and YouthLeader while attending college fulltime at University of Denver. Thesecond story described how thecommunity has joined with TheDenver Foundation in the fightagainst hunger. Donors like LisaNegri have, to date, contribut-ed over $700,000 to theHunger Relief Fund, whichsupports food pantries andsoup kitchens throughoutMetro Denver during timesof great need.Despite the econom-ic downturn, Foundationpresident David Millerrecognized the fact thatgenerous donors gave anincredible $61 million to The Foundation last year.Donors also recommendeda record making numberof grants (at a rate of morethan $1 million dollars a week) from over 900 funds.Youth from a numberof nonprofit art programs,including Downtown AuroraVisual Arts, Denver ArtMuseum and Butterfly Hopedeveloped pieces highlight-ing the theme of ConnectingCommunity. A mini artgallery was constructed tohighlight the artwork of the partici-pants. Harmony Chorale, anotherlocal nonprofit performance orga-nization, capped off a hopeful eve-ning with a rendition of “EverybodyRejoice” from the Broadway musi-cal The Wiz.
About the Foundation
Founded in 1925, The DenverFoundation is a community foun-dation serving Adams, Arapahoe,Boulder, Broomfield, Denver,Douglas, and Jefferson counties. The Foundation has three primaryfunctions: to steward an endow-ment to invest in meeting currentand future needs for the communi-ty; to manage more than 800 chari-table funds for individuals, familiesand businesses; and work with thecommunity and philanthropic lead-ers to address the core challengesthat face Metro Denver.***
Frequent Flyers (above) and happy guests at theAnnual Celebration (below).
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by Angelle Fouther
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Monday:
Open Stage w/ Jay Ryan 7:00 (No Cover)
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Tuesday:
New Band Night -1st & 4th Tues 7:30 (FREE)
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Wednesday:
Clamdaddies Blues Jam 7:30 (No Cover)
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Thursday:
NEW Geeks Who Drink Trivia 6:30 (No Cover)
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Fridays & Saturday:
check www.dnote.us for a detailed listing of the live music line-up
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Sunday:
Salsa Lessons & Dancing 8:00 ($8)Baby Boogie for Families 2:00-6:00 (Free)
Also check out The Music Train’s Family Concert Series
the third Saturday every month (this month Wendy Woo!)
www.dnote.us
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303.GO.DNOTE7519 Grandview Ave, Arvada, Colorado
There’ssomething great cookingat the D Noteevery night of the week besides our Award-winning pizza!!
Denver Fireighters Museum
Celebrating a Century o Fun 1326 Tremont Place, Denver 303.892.1436 www.denverfrefghtersmuseum.org
One coloring page per child. No copies accepted. Hours: M – Sat 10 am -4 pm Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adult Admission $6.00
1st Saturday o each month - All Kids 12 & Under
Admission or just $1
Color this ad and bring it to theDenver Firefghters Museum with $1
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