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November 15, 2011 - Global Down Syndrome Foundation 2011 Gala "Be Beautiful, Be Yourself"
What: Fundraiser to benefit the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the Anschutz Medical Campus
Where: JW Marriott
When: November 16, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Ticket Prices: $500.00 - $1,000.00
Beneficiary: Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the Anschutz Medical Campus
Host(s): Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Honoree(s): The Honorable Tom Harkin, United States Senate (D-IA) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX)
EMCEE: Kyra Phillips, CNN News Anchor
Honorary Chairperson(s): Hon. Madeleine Albright, Rep. Tammy Baldwin,Senator Michael Bennet,Rep. Russ Carnahan, Senator Robert Casey, Senator Tom Coburn,Senator Thad Cochran, Rep. Mike Coffman, Rep. Geoff Davis, Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Rep. Eni, Faleomavaega, Rep. Cory Gardner, Senator Charles Grassley, Rep. Gene Green, Rep. Raul Grijalva,Rep. Walter Jones, Jr., Ambassador Renee Jones-Bos, Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Governor John Hickenlooper, Hon. Chris Hill and Julie Hill, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Doug Lamborn, Senator Mary Landrieu, Rep. Steven LaTourette, Rep. Steve Lynch, Rep. Kenny Marchant,Rep. James McDermott, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Ed Perlmutter, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep. Nick Rahall III, Senator Harry Reid, Rep. Dennis Ross, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Secretary Ken Salazar, Rep. Bernie Sanders,Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. Scott Tipton, Rep. Paul Tonko, Senator MarkUdall
Founders: John and Anna Sie and Michelle Sie Whitten and Tom Whitten
Co-Chair(s): Norm Brownstein, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Jeffrey Forbes, Cathen Forbes & Williams, Mark Irion, Grayling, Allen Kronstadt, A.R. Kronstadt Realty, Michael McAdams, Holland and Knight, Deana Perlmutter, The Integral Group, Faith Perlmutter Diamond, Anna and John J. Sie, Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, Beth Viola, Holland and Knight, Michelle and Tom Whitten, Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Executive Director: Michelle Sie Whitten
Welcome: Michelle Sie Whitten
Entertainment: Empress of Soul Gladys Knight
Sponsors: CESSNA CITATION COLUMBUS SPONSORS: Anna & John J. Sie Foundation, The Barton Family Foundation, Sharon Magness Blake & Ernie Blake, Mike & Amber Fries, Liberty Global, Jules Haimovitz, McDonnell Family Foundation, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. / Richmond American Homes Foundation, Metropolitan Homes at the Vallagio, Steele Street Bank and Trust and Land Title Guarantee Company, Sturm Family Foundation, Don & Sue Sturm, Leslie & Bill Vollbracht, Vollbracht Family Foundation, Alison & Kirby Winfield, Jr., Dana Vollbracht; CESSNA CITATION X: The Anschutz Foundation, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, The Whitten Family; CESSNA CITATION ENCORE: The Children’s Hospital, Diane & Charles Gallagher and Family, Cookie & Lester Gold, Debbie & Larry Hauserman, The Macsovits Family, Ricki & Dave Rest, The Shankle Family, SomaLogic, Inc., Starz Entertainment, University of Denver, Wells Fargo, Sandy Wolf and Elaine Wolf of The Melvin and Elaine Wolf Foundation; CESSNA MUSTANG: Arc Thrift Stores, Alpine Banks of Colorado, Brett Family Foundation, Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, University of Colorado Systems, Denver Art Museum, Denver Broncos Football Club, Pat & Annabel Bowlen, Denver Film Society, Fentress Architects, First Western Trust Bank, Hutchison Incorporated, Intrado, Susan & Randy Karsh, Lazarus Investment Partners LLLP, Bob & Betsy Leighton, Marian & James E. Lokey, Edie & Mort Marks Family, Cydney & Tom Marsico, J. Landis and Sharon Martin Family Foundation, Ed & Linda McCabe, Mile High Down Syndrome Association, Paul Comstock Partners, Perky Jerky, Jordon & Essie Perlmutter, Casey & Brett Perry, Roger & Margaret Reisher, Robert C. Wing/World Engineering Exchange, Susan & Eddie Robinson and Ellen & Mark Schwartz, Sherman & Howard L.L.C., Dr. Deborah Sie & Dr. Justin & Shaela Hoffman, James Sie & Douglas Wood, Susan Sie and Allison Sie, Jeff & Mary Tuten, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado at Boulder, The Weisner Family, Dr. Kirby Winfield, Sr.; IN-KIND SPONSORS: 9NEWS, Epicurean Catering, Hyde Park Jewelers, Karen Rubin Photography, Jason G Photographer, Jay’s Valet, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Lundwall Communications, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza, NAAAP Colorado, Newberry Brothers Greenhouse & Florist, Three Blind Mice and more
Auctioneer: Larry LaRocco
Attendance: 400
Attire: Cocktail Attire
Models/Fashions: Walishe Gooshe
Information: Kelley Dieter, Hayes & Associates
Blacktie Photos by: Jen Cubas
Global Down Syndrome Foundation 2011 Gala "Be Yourself, Be Beautiful"
Gladys Knight, Empress of Soul, hugs Joelle Packard, Be Beautiful, Be Yourself model
View all photos
It was D.C.'s first Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Global Down Syndrome Foundation Gala 2011, and it was the funnest. Who cares if funnest isn't a real word, it fits. More than 400 patrons rocked the room when Gladys Knight belted out a boffo, Midnight Train to Georgia. The prancing pulchritude of Walish Gooshe, a luxury brand fashion boutique recently opened in Washington, D.C., set the stage for the stars of the show, the 24 Down Syndrome models.
And those very special models were beautiful. By being themselves, they shared joyous moments with their fans, who cheered them on as if they were rock stars. Famed fashion model and Oprah's new OWN partner in the Beverly's Full House docu-series, Beverly Johnson, escorted her niece Natalie Fuller. Apparently Beverly has more energy than most of us, as she had already attended The Black List exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, where her portrait was hung cermoniously earlier in the day.
Alex Sessions, Eagle Scout and self advocate, shared the stage with his brother Bill, a pre-med student, and honoree father, Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). Alex read his intro speech with the assistance of his lifetime tutor. Congressman Sessions shared the compelling story of Alex's birth and life, imparting the deep emotional bonds families forge when raising Down Syndrome children.
The Down Syndrome Congressional Caucus, established in 2007 by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), currently Co-Chaired by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). The DWCC initiated legislation ensuring improved financial assistance and support for families facing Down Syndrome, at the bottom of the federal funding list.
A contingent of GDSF patrons, politicians and just plain people from Denver were onhand. Renowned Colorado philanthropist Norm Brownstein was joined by his D.C. office colleagues. Sharon Magness Blake sent her regrets and an impressive team to represent her. Let's not forget Holland and Knight's Deana Perlmutter, Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Co-Chair, and a pair of other Perlmutters, Abby and Alexis, along with Papa Perlmutter, Congressman Ed (D-CO).
Colorado Congressmen Scott Tipton (R-CO), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Jared Pollis (D-CO) skipped out on Capital Hill to shashay down the runway with their models. Nebraska neighbor Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and his lovely wife Diane were among the stalwart supporters of GDSF.
Not done yet with Colorado. Ambassador Chris Hill of the University of Denver and his wife, Julie Hill, both event Co-Chairs added dignity to the evening.
More than 400,000 individuals with Down Symdrome live in the United States, and there are many more internationals. Since it's founding in 2009, The Global Down Syndrome Foundation has contributed more to our understanding of Down Syndrome, research and support than in the previous history of civilization.
There is a lot of work to do though, so a quick auction of two fabulous trips lead by Larry LaRocco netted almost $20,000 for GDWF. Inspirato provided the luxury travel packages Tuscany and Cabo San Lucas.
Back to Gladys! As if we needed prompting, The Empress of Soul, showed her stuff, with renditions of Smile, I Will Survive and Midnight Train to Georgia.
Mr. George Portes, the steady Manager of Catering for the JW Marriott, was on hand as usual along with Monti George of Marriott to guarantee everything was perfect, which for once in Washington, everyone agreed it was.