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
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