Glory Us- Surprise Honor

Glory Weisberg, Society Editor for The Villager Newspapers for over 20 years, was surprised Wednesday evening (February 1st) with a special tribute dinner in her honor by the fundraising committee of Excelsior Youth Center.

"Glory accurately and passionately tells the stories of the hectic, non-stop world of Denver's charity events. She engages her readers to 'see & feel' the missions of hundreds of non-profit agencies throughout the metro area," explains Joan Gabrielson, Excelsior's Executive Director. "We're particularly grateful for her treatment of Excelsior Youth Center's activities through her meaningful stories and photos. Thanks, Glory!"

Assisting in the plot to surprise Glory at the Excelsior dinner was her husband Dave. "I credit the strong support from my husband, Dave, for much of my Villager success as he has patiently stood behind my efforts and aided them physically and emotionally," said Glory. "I typically turn in around 3,000 words and about 20 photos per week as Society Editor, covering about 5-8 events per week."

Born in Rochester, NY and raised in Texas, Glory moved to Denver in 1959 where she joined the journalism club at Denver's East High School. She received an education degree from the University of Denver and taught briefly until her first pregnancy forced her retirement. "The Denver school policies then in place required me to quit as I was not able to return to the classroom until my youngest child would be two or more years of age." Glory remained active in her children's schools in both Denver and Cherry Creek. Steven resides in Denver while Liz, her husband and two children live in Northern California.

"I have accomplished many goals, recognizing what I have mostly downplayed, that I am a lifelong asthmatic who spent much of my childhood out of school due to multiple battles with pneumonia and bronchitis. My motto is to eat the rainbow, avoiding my own numerous allergies." Glory is particularly passionate about her anti-smoking campaign through GASP, Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution. Additionally, Glory is a life member of Hadassah and has been a volunteer speaker on the Anti Defamation League and considers herself an expert on the Holocaust and bigotry. She says 'life is good.'

In the community, Glory is active with the Creating Caring Community, an anti-bullying nonprofit that heightens awareness of the psychological effects on bullied students. Additionally, she has participated actively with the Cancer League, National Council of Jewish Women, American Heart Association Hearts for Life Guild, Project Safeguard, Families First and the Kempe Children's Foundation.

Glory was the honored guest at the dinner hosted by Excelsior's committee for its annual gala Ever Upward. Colorado First Lady, Frances Owens, attended the dinner as she serves as Honorary Chair of Ever Upward. Co-Chairs of Ever Upward Wendy Warren and Cindy Hansen presented Glory with a framed photo of Excelsior students in recognition of her dedicated service to both Excelsior and the Denver community. Proceeds from Ever Upward slated for May 19th will benefit activities for the girls at Excelsior Youth Center, the largest residential treatment center in the country for girls, ages 11-18. For ticket information call 303-693-1550x226 or www.excelsioryc.org.

Lawtons Honored for Scholarship Support

Molly Ross and Bill Lane, Co-Chairs of EverUpward

The Lawtons were honored for their contributions to the scholarship program as special guests at Excelsior’s major fundraising event, Ever Upward on Friday, May 13th at the Wildlife Experience Museum. Rhonda and Tommy Vickers of Castle Pines Village served as Honorary Chairs of the event. The live auction featuring Gary Corbett, auctioneer, followed dinner. Excelsior girls provided a variety of entertainment at the conclusion of the evening including the award winning Step Team. Proceeds from the event will benefit activities for the girls residing at Excelsior Youth Center. More than $25,000 was raised from the guests specifically to support Excelsior's scholarship program.

It’s an extraordinarily difficult group: teenage girls with troubled pasts, little formal education, sporadic school attendance, low test scores and most have never participated in school sports or recreational activities. Instead, their lives have focused on drugs, street survival or criminal activity. But Excelsior Youth Center changes their view of the world and that’s why Excelsior works for these girls, many of whom have lived in a dozen or more placements before coming here.

"I can follow my dream now that Excelsior is helping me financially. No way could I pay. No way," explains 20+ year old Amanda, a former Excelsior student who is earning A’s at Red Rocks Community College while she explores which four-year school she will soon attend.

Despite their troubled pasts, many of Excelsior’s successful graduates chose to further their education and they apply to the Center’s scholarship program available to all former clients. More than 70 have received funds over the past 15 years to pay for tuition, books and room/board as well as non-traditional scholarship needs such as utility bills, child care, uniforms, gasoline and auto insurance. Other Excelsior scholars have attended, among others, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, Colorado State University, Azusa Pacific University, Hawaii Pacific University, New Mexico State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, San Jose State University and Dominican University of California.

Tommy and Rhonda Vickers, Honorary Chairs

Amy and John Lawton, Special Honorees in 2005

Clay shooting with Excelsior's Matt Rivera is always a popular item at the auction. 2004's lucky recipients were Lindsay Hickel and Jane Gilbert.

Guests who attended Ever Upward on May 13th had a chance to bid on thousands of dollars worth of donated services, items, trips and priceless opportunities.

Among the items for auction:

Clay shooting for two including shot guns, shells, target fees and lunch is available again this year thanks to our own Matt Rivera, Excelsior's accountant.

Other items include:

Granite slab for kitchen or bath remodeling from Stone Craft, Inc., valued at $5,000!

Landscape design package complete with trees, shrubs, flowers from various nurseries valued at $1,500.

Hot Air Balloon ride for two in metro Denver area donated by Pilot Dewey Reinhard.

Bronze sculpture piece entitled THE GIFT created by our own Honorary Chairman, Rhonda Vickers, valued at $3,600.

Jim Benemann, KCNC TV anchorman, will record a personalized message on your home or office phone voice messaging system.

One week in privately owned Mexican home in sleepy, quiet Cabo Pulmo, 1 ½ hours north of Cabo San Lucas. Snorkeling, diving and exploring the living coral reef and enjoying freshly caught sea food are among the treasures of traveling to this remote part of Mexico. Home sleeps 12 and would make a terrific location for a family reunion. Valued at $2,000 for the week.

Bewitched Broom used in the filming of the new movie BEWITCHED by Nicole Kidman and Will Farrell is available thanks to Reggie McDaniel, KOA radio personality and film critic. Value: priceless. Speaking of priceless, Reggie has offered to take a guest to a movie and lunch as part of our auction.

Sanctuary Golf package for 4 guests is available for a minimum bid of $1,200.

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