JFS Perspectives

Our JFS Executive Luncheon billboard on Colorado Blvd. and Cherry Creek Dr. South


Unfortunately, there will be no Crown Royal at our "Happyness Hour." :)


Kari, JFS graphic designer, showing off her beautiful work!

There are only a few seats remaining for the JFS Executive Luncheon on Tuesday, May 8 featuring Christopher Gardner! Be there or be square...get your tickets before they're gone!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

What an incredible week of support we've had! On Tuesday, December 6, supporters generously donated to Jewish Family Service through Colorado Gives Day. Colorado Gives Day is an initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving within a 24-hour period (which turned out to be 36 hours because of website glitches). Coloradans gave more than $12 million to 900 nonprofits and we were fortunate to receive more than $15,000 of that money to support our programs and services! And thank you to Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill for partnering with us on this day to help us raise awareness and money.

Then, last night we had our annual film benefit, Reel Hope 2011 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Thank you to all the people who attended and generously donated money during the event!

 

Since we're exhausted from a long day yesterday, we will provide a full re-cap and photos from the event soon. Here are a few photos we snapped while we were setting up to tide you over...

Stuffing and setting up bags for the event. In case you were wondering, this is what 550 bags looks like!

The signature drink of the evening.

Kari proudly displaying her duratran featuring the honorees, Harvey and Sue Allon and Ken and Rebecca Gart!

The red carpet is ready for the guests to arrive!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

If you’ve been to Reel Hope, Jewish Family Service’s annual film screening benefit, you know that it’s been held at a movie theater since its inception. On December 8th, the event is moving to the elegant Ellie Caulkins Opera House at 14th and Curtis in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Earlier this week, we went for a site visit to plan the details of the event. We are excited to share some fun facts about the new venue and caterer, Kevin Taylor, with you!



The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, colloquially known as “the Ellie,” is the premier venue inside of the historic Quigg Newton Denver Municipal Auditorium. The Ellie is one of only three opera houses in the United States, one of nine world-wide, with seatback titling at every seat in the house. Like JFS, the Ellie has a longstanding history. It was built in time to host the Democratic National Convention in 1908. Before becoming the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in 2005, it went through several renovations and name changes.



Chef Kevin Taylor is a Colorado native with a reputation for his creative, unpretentious approach to American cuisine. Early in his career, he was cited as a rising star by national magazines, was a guest at the James Beard House in New York City, and has cooked for the Taste of NFL. His dishes such as the Smoked Sweet Corn Soup with Barbecued Shrimp and Open Ravioli of Maine Lobster, Asparagus and Sweet Corn have become signatures in the industry.

So mark your BlackBerry, iPhone or other calendar for Thursday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. and plan to join us as we honor Ken and Rebecca Gart and Harvey and Sue Allon at Reel Hope 2011!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Thank you everyone who took a few moments out of their day on May 17th to join us at the seventh annual JFS Executive Luncheon! For those of you who missed it or if you were there, here is a recap of some of the event and links to photos, the video we showed, and articles written after the luncheon...

Featured speaker and football legend Mike Ditka entertained the sold-out crowd of 650 business and professional leaders and the event raised a record $310,000 to support JFS programs in four key areas: 1) mental health counseling, 2) senior and adult care management and in-home services, 3) disability and employment services, and 4) family safety net services!

Going into the luncheon, JFS had exceeded its fundraising goal of $200,000. More than $55,000 additional was raised at the event, doubled by a dollar-for-dollar match offered by an anonymous donor, bringing the total for the event to more than $310,000.



Mike Ditka, who is currently a commentator for ESPN's NFL Live and Sunday NFL Countdown, and CBS Radio-Westwood One's Monday Night Football pregame show, said, “I’m not an expert on anything, just a guy going through life.” His speech included stories about his football career, and his philosophies on life and success. “You need three characteristics to succeed: attitude, character, and enthusiasm. When you are happy with the person you are and you treat people right, you will have a great life.” The crowd responded to the coach’s speech with resounding applause.



Jim Benemann, Chicago native and news anchor for Denver’s CBS4, returned this year as the Luncheon emcee. Rabbi Eliot Baskin, JFS community chaplain, gave the opening benediction. JFS Board Chair Steve Kris acknowledged and thanked the many sponsors and event contributors. Because the event’s theme was “defining moments,” President & CEO Yana Vishnitsky shared her defining moment of stepping off the plane in Denver 33 years ago to start her new life in America after leaving the former Soviet Union.



JFS supporter Pete Bruno spoke about his son’s boxing accident in college that left him with permanent brain damage. They went from being JFS donors to recipients of its services. Pete said, “Sometimes life takes you to very unexpected places. However, more good than bad came from the accident.” Pete’s son, Tony has worked in JFS’s SHALOM Denver workshop for the past eight years and said, “The purpose of life is to matter, to count.”



A new agency video told Marie Cardin’s story of growing up homeless and how she broke the cycle of poverty. She is now a JFS volunteer and donor. Marie spoke briefly on stage at the luncheon and asked guests to use this moment to contribute to JFS and double the impact of their gift through the dollar-for-dollar match.

Thank you to our event chairs: Gareth Heyman, Jamie Sarche, and Debbie Silversmith for all they did to ensure the success of the Executive Luncheon.

Check out more photos from the event!

Read Joanne Davidson's article in the May 25th Denver Post.

Read Glory Weisberg's article in the May 26th Villager.

Thank you to Howard Lutz for taking the event photos! Thank you again to everyone who helped make the luncheon what it was - not only a record-breaking fundraiser, but an inspirational event!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Thank you to everyone who came to Reel Hope-Take 15 last night to honor Dean Prina, M.D. and Charlie Gwirtsman! It was a great success and we hope you enjoyed all the new touches to this year's event. We'd love your feedback - please leave us comments on the event if you were there!

Now that da movie event is over, we are preparing for da Executive Luncheon featuring da coach of da Bears, Mike Ditka! We are proud to welcome the legendary NFL player and coach as the speaker for our seventh annual JFS Executive Luncheon and fundraiser on May 17, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Denver at 1750 Welton St. Tickets are $150 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. For more information or for tickets, contact JFS at (303) 597-5000 or buy them online.

It was great to see everybody out supporting JFS last night and we hope you'll join us for the JFS Executive Luncheon!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Reel Hope-Take 15 is one month away from today so we are having a ticket giveaway! All you need to do to win is leave a comment with your guess as to who the people are in the pictures below:

        

All of the correct entries will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to Reel Hope-Take 15 on December 9th. To be eligible, you must leave a comment with your name and email address by November 19, 2010.

Hint: Look at your Reel Hope invitation.

Good luck and happing guessing!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Take a totally radical trip back to 1983 for the 15^th anniversary of our annual movie themed fundraiser! Pay tribute to our wonderful honorees, Dean Prina, M.D. and Charlie Gwirtsman in a BIG way at Reel Hope, and watch the ‘80s classic, The Big Chill on the big screen again (or for the first time)! Tickets are on sale now, so grab your friends and get ready for an exciting evening of laughter, tears, and nostalgia all while supporting JFS. 

What Do You Remember About 1983?
Do you remember kids playing with Rubik’s Cubes, Cabbage Patch Kids, Care Bears, and Hacky Sacks? Did you dance to "Thriller" or watch the "A-Team?" Did you put "Baby on Board" signs on your car? Was your hair big and your shoulder pads bigger?

Tell us what you remember and what you were doing in 1983!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department