AROUND TOWN: Community generosity stuffs stocking

The stocking was empty, but not for long.

Over the holiday season, the 25th annual Gazette/El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund campaign hit its million-dollar goal and then flew over the top.

On Monday, representatives of 14 direct-services agencies traveled to Penrose House for a celebration, to visit with community and military leaders and to pick up checks with their portion of $1.3 million.

"This was THE year," said El Pomar Chairman Bill Hybl, pointing out that more than ever before the nonprofits need help serving an exploding clientele coping with a nose-diving economy.

Hybl saluted the hundreds of individuals and more than 80 businesses - including numerous restaurants - and community organizations that raised $980,000 for the fund.

The Bruni Foundation and The Gazette gave $70,000 each in matching funds, with an additional $200,000 coming from El Pomar, $100,000 from the Myron Stratton Home and $100,000 from an anonymous donor. Sharing the podium with Hybl were Jerry Bruni and new Gazette Publisher Steven Pope. Dubbing himself "the quintessential newbie" to the successful annual campaign, Pope introduced members of his leadership team: Liz Cobb, Jeff Thomas, Karen Cruise, Jennifer Butcher, Trace Deaton and Cory Arcarese. He credited Gazette employees with donating $17,000, matched by $10,000 from the company.

Spearheading the Empty Stocking Fund for The Gazette was Bobbie Hunt, who succeeded Amanda Mountain as the head of Gazette Charities.

Hybl pointed out a contingent from El Pomar that included R. Thayer Tutt Jr., David J. Palenchar, Tim Travis, Evie Dennis, George Guerrero, Terrance McWilliams and Theo Gregory.

Hybl teased El Pomar communications director Josie Burke for encouraging employees to donate with incentives such as, "You can wear Levis for all of December if you give me $100!"

Co-directors of the campaign for El Pomar were Fellows Beale Tejada and Christina McGrath, whose father Mike was there to salute her success.

Fellows serving as hosts included Tarn Udall, Jacqueline Swartz, Anthony Carter, Samuel Clark, Courtney Drake, Vanessa Macias, Trevor Findley, Aaron Gutierrez, Patrice Henson, Jason Lippert, Xavior Robinson and Casey Shea.

Shout-outs went to the media partners: KOAA/Channels 5&30, KVOR, The Laurie White Show, Hispania News, KXRM/Channel, KCCY, KCME, KILO, Tayco Printing and Lamar Outdoor Advertising.

Thanking their benefactors were the 2008 recipient agencies: American Red Cross, Pikes Peak Chapter; Care & Share Food Bank; Ecumenical Social Ministries; Griffith Centers for Children; Marian House; Northern Churches Care; Peak Vista Community Health Centers; Pikes Peak Community Action Agency; Salvation Army; Silver Key Senior Services; Southeast YMCA; Tri-Lakes Cares; Urban Peak and Westside CARES.

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Send information about nonprofit events and fundraisers to linda.navarro@gazette.com or mail to Linda Navarro, P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs, 80901.

SAVE THE DATES

Flavors of Jazz and Poetry," music by Yatron Weatherly and poetry by Ayinde Russell, presented by Life Without Lupus Project, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Flavors on Tejon, $15, hors d'oeuvres, 380-8330.

5th Annual Hope Awards/Fundraiser, Cerebral Palsy Association of Colorado Springs, 6 p.m. Feb. 20, Briarhurst Manor, honoree Dr. Mindy Siegel, RSVP by Tuesday: 638-0808, cpappr.org.

"A Breath of Spring" benefit for Partners in Housing, concert by the Colorado Springs Chorale, 8 p.m. March 20, Pikes Peak Center. Tickets: Pikes Peak Center Box Office or TicketsWest, 520-7469; $16-$48, $2 discounts seniors, military, students and children; group discounts.

Goodwill Annual Dinner, "Goodwill Now More Than Ever," 6 p.m., April 14, Broadmoor International Center, 635-4483.

Executive Women International Scholarship Golf Tournament, June 5, Kissing Camels Golf Club, springsewi.com.