Pikes Peak Community Foundation celebrates success

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Feb 9, 2003 by Diane Wengler

More than 300 community leaders gathered in the Wigand Room at the World Arena on Jan. 25 to celebrate the accomplishments of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.

"This is an exciting time for philanthropy in our region," said Executive Director Michael R. Hannigan. "We are gathered to celebrate that the Community Foundation has made nearly $8 million in grants in the Pikes Peak region during its first four years of activity."

The foundation seeks to promote philanthropy by working with individuals and families to create permanent charitable endowments to benefit citizens in the Pikes Peak region, he said. The foundation also makes grants to meet critical community needs and provides endowment management and planned-giving services for nonprofit organizations.

With its partner, the 75-year-old Colorado Springs Community Trust, the foundation has grown to nearly $29 million in assets.

The Jack Foutch Awards ceremony honored two individuals who have had significant impact in our community.

The Heart of Philanthropy Award was presented to Mikki Kraushaar , executive director of Silver Key for 30 years.

Harold "Hal" Littrell , chairman of the board of Air Academy National Bank, received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

Enjoying dinner and the Colorado College hockey game were Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace, board chairman Larry Gaddis , Judy Cara , Buster and Kathy Cogswell , Bill Corrigan, John and Mary Cukjati , Robert Donner, Don Downs, Joanna and Lindsay Fischer, Terry Gentry, Cheryl Godwin, Larry and Jane Hecox , Jim and Becky Hurley, Kyle Hybl, Ken and Sandy Jaray , Ken Keene, Cheryl and Randy Kilgore, Bruce and Gretchen Kolbezen , Lorne and Kena Kramer, Pam Marsh, Jim and Bev Mason, Norm and Wynne Palermo , Paula Pollet , Cathy Robbins, Don and Mary Pat Sall , Annwin Sather , Gerry and Cheryl Tolley , Barbara Webb and Mike Welch.

Hispanic Gala

Hispanic business students were honored at the sold-out Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs' 14th Annual Gala on Jan. 25 at the Sheraton Hotel.

Students Matthew Apodaca, Joaquin Gajardo, Teresa Sanders, Craig Torres and Grace Trujillo were given awards by Police Chief Luis Velez, Fire Chief Manuel Navarro, Vice Mayor Lionel Rivera and keynote speaker Tina Cordova, president of Queston Construction of Albuquerque, N.M.

Michelle Lobato sang the national anthem at the event, which included a silent auction, dinner and dance.

Listening and dancing to the music of Darren Cordova y Calor of Taos were Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Gene Sanchez, Dave Dempsey (who gave the invocation), Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace, Phil Tollefson , Wayne Williams, Henry Quintana, Rudy Trujillo, Gina Garcia-Shaw, Ada Diaz Kirby, Sandy Gutierrez, Sal Gomez, Sherrie Vasquez, Tim Stack, Roman and Emi Tafoya, JoAnn Martinez, Randy Vigil, Jim Null, Sallie Clark, Ed Harrison, Hector Diaz, Rosemary Jaramillo, Sgt. Jeanette Whitney, Lt. Rafael and Lisa Cintron , Amy Sanchez, Ann Carlyle, Willie Breazell , Chris Martinez, Olga Romero, Norm Ridder, Vic Meyers, Mark Zamora, Jose Sanchez, Ray Ortiz, Denise Ortega, Brenda Quinones , Richard Blair, Judi Lakin , Lynn Pelz , Johnny and Barbara Garcia, Thomas Quinones, Kristen Reed and Alisa Meier .

Wal-Mart shares

During the grand opening ceremonies of the area's fifth Wal-Mart Supercenter on Jan. 21, $100,000 was donated to local schools and nonprofit organizations.

The money was raised through the "Wal-Mart Good Works" program and local store fund-raising.

"Our goal is to reach as many children and seniors in our community as we can. Wal-Mart cares about giving back to the community," said Alicia Soto, community involvement coordinator for the store on Powers Boulevard.

Attending the awards ceremony were store manager Mike Crowson , Wal-Mart district manager Joe Berry, Phil Lane, Lt. Skip Arms, Diane Warner, Karen Sandridge, Paul O'Brien, Debby Kirton , Sheila Ferguson, John Carricato and John Hughes.

Among those receiving funds were the Alzheimer's Association, Autism Education Action Group, Ronald McDonald House, Canine Companions for Independence, City of Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association, Make a Wish Foundation, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, Sand Creek High School, American Heart Association, Woodmen Hills Elementary School, Horizon Middle School and Scott Elementary School.

Vintner's dinner

The DeLoach Vineyards and Winery has donated the wines to be featured at the seventh annual Vintner's Dinner on April 11 at the Garden of the Gods Club to benefit Children's Literacy Center.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction and cocktails followed by a four-course meal prepared by Garden of the Gods Club chefs. Each course will be served with select wines from DeLoach, which encompasses 900 acres in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. DeLoach has been growing grapes for 20 years, quietly developing a reputation for fum blanc , chardonnay, gewrztraminer , pinot noir and zinfandel.