Excelsior Youth Center's 2008 Ever Upward gala with Janet
Elway serving as honorary chair was a tremendous success,
grossing over $210,000. More than 380 guests enjoyed the
festivities.
With the theme, Love & Laughter: 35 Years of Changing
Girls' Lives, the gala honored five local, triumphant women
for overcoming significant challenges to achieve successful
careers. The women include: Victoria Aguilar, Lannie Garrett,
Denise Stephenson-Hawk, Christine Soto and Glory Weisberg.
The event included a wildly fast paced live auction conducted
by Gary Corbett. Presenting sponsor Land Rover Denver East
donated a two-year lease on a Range Rover Sport valued at
$27,000 for the live auction. Kathy Buckley, five-time nominee
for best female comedienne in America, provided the humor
and a personal testimonial as the evening's featured entertainment.
All funds raised will benefit the educational needs for
the girls residing at Excelsior Youth Center, one of the
largest residential treatment centers for troubled girls
in the country.
Here's what people are saying about Ever Upward 2008:
"Featuring successful women who overcame adversity
says it all. I thought this was excellent."
"I'm anxious to hear the results of Ever Upward- it
was WONDERFUL!"
As our Auctioneer, Gary Corbett was asked for his evaluation
of Ever Upward. He writes: "The auctioneer was handsome,
debonair, witty and much younger in person than in home
movies." That's Denver's favorite auctioneer!
" All I can say is that given everything that was
one of the best events I have seen in a while. There was
a good mix of everything and everyone in attendance. Hopefully,
it was a financial success, too!"
One of our honorees writes: " The excitement of the
gala is still lingering for me. It was a marvelous night-
great friends, good food, terrific entertainment. A class
act. I feel very honored to have been a part of this event,
to have been chosen to stand beside the other triumphant
women and stand in recognition of the important work of
Excelsior. I overcame barriers with the love and support
of family and friends. The girls served by Excelsior will
do the same because this is what is provided to them- family
and friends. I feel that I'm part of the family, now, too."
Christine Soto
Cindy Hansen, Susan Vick and Wendy Warren served as co-chairs
for Ever Upward. Their committee included: Roni Atlas, Brian
Bernard, Deni Brotherton, Gary Corbett, Marisa Escobedo,
Pam Ferguson, Tammi Fowler, Joan Gabrielson, Kathy Graveley,
Vonna Gregory, Deb Griffin, Bill and Sally Harvey, Gloria
Johnston, Martye Kendrick, Bill and Jackie Lane, Jerry Maglio,
Aquilla McKnight, Pam Roth, Molly Ross, Regina Serna, Susan
Vick, Glory Weisberg, Laurie Wronski.
