AROUND TOWN: Benefit for Safe Passage roars into past

For the 13th year, the children's advocacy group Safe Passage kept the tradition alive of putting together one of the liveliest, most fun-filled nonprofit events.
People who by day had been attorneys, law enforcement personnel, executives and public relations professionals put away the power suits and donned boas, fedoras, shimmy skirts, beads, Gatsby outfits, zoot suits and golf knickers in a revival of the Roaring '20s. A standout was Don Smith in a bright teal blue suit with black stripes. His wife, Debbie Davison-Smith, was at his side in a black velvet vintage dress.
By evening's end March 8, the 270 partiers at the Antlers Hilton had raised more than $100,000 for the agency that is "helping sexually abused children begin to heal." Teresa Huizar, who has stepped down as executive director to accept a job out of state, celebrated the evening with staff, board and sponsors.
KRDO's Jon Karroll kept the crowd in touch with the Colorado College-Denver University hockey scores courtesy of Lou Mellini, who was in contact with his station, 103.9 The Eagle. CC won. Cheers.
A traditional highlight of the evening was again the dessert auction with bidders vying for triple chocolate, death by chocolate, tiramisu and other delicacies from The Steaksmith, The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, Oliver's Deli, Mollica's Deli, The Margarita at PineCreek, Creative Cakes by Carol and Mike, Pineapple Daisy, Antlers Hilton hotel, Little London and Shuga's.
The evening's silent auction contained everything and the bathroom sink - several in fact. Drawing interested bidders were were unusual porcelain, onyx, blue glass and hammered copper sinks from Dahl of Colorado Springs.
Works from a number of top local artists were hung around the room as part of the silent auction.
Kevin and Laura Sinton-Emery will be heading for England after their top live-auction bid for a week at a 16thcentury cottage in Rye with a view of the English Channel.
Joining Safe Passage for the evening were several of the agency's collaborative partners. On hand were Colorado Springs Police Department Cmdr. Brian Grady and Detective Derek Graham; El Paso County Sheriff's Department Bureau Chief Paula Presley and Detective Jeff Nohr; attorneys Shimon Kohn, Michael Moran, Janet Moore, and Melanie Douglas and husband Carlos; Deputy District Attorneys Nan Scranton, Terry Sample, Deb Pearson and Donna Billek; Magistrate John Paul Lyle; and Katherine Spicer of the City Attorney's Office as well as representatives of the Fountain and Woodland Park police departments.
Event committee members included Jennifer and Will Bain, co-chairmen; Pam and Jerry Biggs; Kris Brumley; Krista Butterworth; Kristen Cook; Alex Dumas; Patti Hartman; Geoff and Samilja Heim; Sandy Kloster, Karen Lindroth-Yates; Laura Muir; Rhonda Nakai; Allen Peterson; Terry Schierbeek and Dale Mueller-Smith.

Making democracy work
Rosemary Harris, president of the NAACP Colorado Springs Branch, received the "Making Democracy Work"
award from the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region.
"Rosemary makes democracy work through her strong support for diversity and her passionate and articulate communication of the tenets of democracy," said Anna Lopez, league spokesperson.
Finalists for the award were Alyce Dalzell, math and science teacher, Falcon School District 49; Chelley Gardner-Smith, board president, Partners in Housing; Mayor Jeri Howells, Fountain; and Terry Zarsky, business services librarian, Pikes Peak Library District.

Joleen Bell benefit
More than 1,000 friends and music lovers and more than a dozen local musicians turned the auditorium at Benet Hill Center into a giant, 14-hour jam session Sunday. They were brought together for a common cause, the Joleen Bell Fund to benefit the local musician injured by a drunken driver.
In one of the most memorable moments, Bell and Phil Volan performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for those gathered.
Event organizer Charlie Hall of the Black Rose Acoustic Society said they raised $16,243 with possibly an additional $1,000 still coming in from a silent auction. Donations can be made at any Ent Credit Union branch, deposited into the Joleen Bell Fund, Account No. 482449.

iT'Z donation
IT'Z family center, 3035 New Center Point, celebrated its grand opening with a $1,500 donation to the youthsports "Helping Hand Fund" at the March 11 Colorado Springs City Council meeting.
The fund helps youths who are unable to afford full program fees for city sports, ice and aquatic programs.
Making the presentation were Breann Kalivoda, Jamar Harrison, Jessica Herlehy and Elias Montano.

Send items about nonprofit and charitable events to linda.navarro@gazette.com