NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: March of Dimes, Tri-Lakes Women's Club, SET, RMCLT

Heavenly smells were emanating from the ballroom at Cheyenne Mountain Resort on Oct. 29 as 19 chefs whipped up dishes to sample, including chile-dusted mahi, spicy butternut squash soup, miniature BLT sandwiches, savory lamb and gourmet polenta. And topping it off was each person’s very own plate of dessert specialties from Alicia Prescott of The Blue Star and Nosh.

Shepherded by executive chef Brother Luck of Cheyenne Mountain Resort, who put together a “Colorado fusion” dish, the chefs helped raise $50,000 for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs event.

They included Peter Aiello, Alpine Chef Catering; Ryan Blanchard, Antlers Hilton; Tyler Peoples, Briarhurst Manor Estate; Beau Green, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Roberto Gutierrez,  Diamond Creations; Jake Topakas, Jake & Telly’s Greek Cuisine; Espiridion "Pete" Moreno, MacKenzie’s Chop House; Eric Viedt, The Margarita at PineCreek; Chris May, McCabe’s Tavern; Ben Henion, Mountain View Restaurant; Josh Davis, Sonterra Grill; Bob Swain, Stagecoach Inn; Steve Kanatzer, The Airplane Restaurant; Andrew Darrigan, The Food Designers; Chip Johnson, The Warehouse; Nate Say, Zebulon’s at the Marriott and Mike Pope and Brian Fortinberry, Front Range Barbeque.

A touching video by John Bourbonais of Bourbon Street introduced the March of Dimes Ambassador Family, Amy, Graym, Lauren and Ally Sutz. Ally, who was born at 28 weeks, was so small her mother said she didn’t want to touch her because she was afraid she would hurt her.

Tri-Lakes Women’s Club

They have raised more than half a million dollars for the schools, fire and police departments and other nonprofits within Lewis-Palmer School District 38, and the Women’s Club 8th Annual Wine and Roses event Oct. 23 will add mightily to that total.

A record crowd of 300 strolled through the Blue and Silver Press Box at the Air Force Academy, tasting wine and hors d’oeuvres and bidding on the silent auction.

A variety of domestic and international wines arranged by Dirk Stamp of The Wine Seller was poured by KKLI’s Captain Dan, KRDO’s Jon Karrol and Heather Skold, Monsignor Bob Jaeger, Palmer Lake Mayor John Cressman, Monument Mayor Travis Easton, Jim Maguire, KNUS “Restaurant Show” host Mike Boyle, and firemen from the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District: Lt. Mike Keough, Franz Henkins, Rudi Gilette and Steve Buckner.

The fundraiser was organized by Rae Jean Claybaugh, Yvonne Jennings, Gerrie Maixner and Lisa Simms and among the volunteers saluted were a group of Serteens.

Oakley’s Café & Bistro created the centerpiece ice sculpture.

For more information about the club, visit tlwc.net.

Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust Welcome Home Fundraiser

The land trust's 13th anniversary celebration and benefit Oct. 22 at Colorado College's Bemis Hall raised more than $23,000 for the nonprofit that helps limited-income family acquire affordable housing.

Guests were kept busy with a packed silent auction filled with 300 items.

Greeting guests were Executive Director Bob Koenig and emcee Jack Howard of Classic Companies.

Board members include Pete Vujcich, Audrey Jaramillo-Higgins, Geoff Wright, Caitlin Jackson, Lonnie Burkholder, Ted Clark, Dick Conn, Bob Cope, Ralph Cruz, Donna Hutto, H. William Mahaffey, Jennifer McKenzie, the Rev. James McMearn, Frank Stampf and Rosemarie Venezia.

SET Family Medical Clinics' 'Wine, For the Health of It'

Broadmoor Wine & Spirits provided the wine expertise for the annual SET wine tasting Oct. 22 at The Warehouse.

During the evening the 250 attendees raised $15,000 for the family medical clinics. 

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Send information about nonprofit events or fundraisers to linda.navarro@gazette.com