Susan McIntire, left, and Kristina Davidson chaired the party thanking patrons and sponsors of Western Fantasy 2009. Photo by Joanne Davidson, The Denver Post
What: Cocktail party and fashion show
Where: Neiman Marcus Cherry Creek
Chairwomen: Susan McIntire and Kristina Davidson
Come Oct. 17, a number of folks will be Steppin’ Up & Steppin’ Out in support of Volunteers of America by making their way to the National Western Events Center for the Sweet Sixteen edition of Western Fantasy. Country legend Kenny Rogers is the headliner.
Last week, the benefit’s top-tier guests were invited to a thank-you fete at Neiman Marcus Cherry Creek.
Susan McIntire and Kristina Davidson organized the cocktail gathering; Bill and Yvonne McCallum are chairing Western Fantasy and are the first couple to reprise that role.
Western Fantasy was started by Sharon Magness Blake and Jean Galloway, and both were at the patron gathering to help the McCallums and store manager Christel Dikeman greet a crowd that included corporate co-chair Christian Anschutz and his mother, Nancy; Denver Nuggets star Chauncey Billups and his wife, Piper; past chairs Gail Johnson, Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld, and Frances Owens; former VOA board chair David Kikumoto; and KYGO morning personality Kelly Ford, who served as the evening’s emcee.
The Hirschfelds, by the way, became first-time grandparents a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of son Hayden and his wife, Elana.
The McCallums acknowledged that this is “a tough year” for big-ticket fundraisers such as Western Fantasy, which made them all the more grateful for the favorable response received thus far. Companies and individuals alike have stepped up to the plate, they said, and things seem to be on track for a good crowd and healthy net profit.
Epicurean Catering provided the food, and folks like Faye and Dr. Reginald Washington, Dick Saunders, Anita and Dr. Joseph Becky, Sharon Whiton Gelt, Ed and Gayle Novak, Monica Owens, Layne Hunt and Craig Fleishman, Kathryn Kaiser, Lyn Schaffer, Jane Netzorg, Eula Adams and Steve and Wendy Weil sampled from a buffet that ranged from grilled lamb chops to cheese quesadillas.
Guests were also treated to a shoe and accessory fashion show that contained pieces well-suited for the benefit’s “elegant Western” dress code.
Others enjoying the festive prelude were Myrna Mourning, immediate past president of the VOA Guild; Dave Rye, chairman of the VOA-Colorado board; chair-elect Kalleen Malone and her husband, Bob; auction coordinator Steve Edmonds, who said items up for bid this year include a trip to the Super Bowl and a Las Vegas weekend with tickets to one of the last shows by the soon-to-part-ways country duo Brooks and Dunn; Steve Rosdal, co-founder of Hyde Park Jewelers, sponsor of the benefit’s Panning for Gold attraction; attorney Ellen Stewart; board member Barbara Grogan with daughter Holiday Goodreau; Brandis and Steve Pelletier; staff coordinator Michael James; and Dianna Kunz, president and CEO of VOA-Colorado.
A few tickets for Western Fantasy remain. For details, call Michael James at 720-264-3322 or visit www.westernfantasy.com
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com
