NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Go Red for Women, American Girl

Pick a shade of red, any hue at all. There were chrome reds, cherry, crimson, ruby, cardinal and scarlet. And more.
The 300 women and several men at the Nov. 6 Go Red for Women had apparently cornered the market on everything red.

After a rosy morning of American Heart Association educational sessions, health screenings and “Ask a Doc” questions for Dr. Susan Rae Jensen, they gathered in the  ballroom of the Antlers Hilton for a heart-healthy lunch and to hear keynote speaker Donna Hartley, who survived not only open-heart surgery but a plane crash and melanoma as well.

Also sharing their stories were local survivors Faith Smith, Melody Bigger and Charles Davis. Davis, who had bypass surgery in April, said he and his wife, Liz, have “six kids, four of them girls, so Go Red for Women is real personal.”

Volunteer Colorado Springs firefighters table hopped as they collected pledge envelopes and $122,000 had been raised by the end of the event. That earned big smiles from event chair Jan Weiland and committee chairs Charlotte Waters, Dr. Kimberly Dulaney, Jill Johnson, Patti McNab and Renita Wolf.

Small boxes near each person’s plate held a memento of the day, red blown-glass heart necklaces, a gift from Dr. David and Paulette Greenberg.

Among those attending: Holly Oliphant, CJ Moore, Sue Bell,  Dr. Kim Dulaney, Dr. Nita Harris, Becky Medved, Vicki Dimond, Laura McGuire, Debbie Chandler, Margaret Sabin, Paula Pollet, Pam Shipp, Carolyn and Steve Pope, Judi Terzotis, Diane Bell, Pam Bruni, Dr. Deb Jaloweic, Dr. Susan Jensen, Scott Yoeman, Marilyn Miller, Lynne Telford, Jan Martin, Mary Ellen McNally, Jolly Wall, Cari Davis, Bob Richards, Tim Merritt, Lynda Boyce, Diane Wengler and  Norm Close.

American Girl Fashion Show and Tea

Girls and their American Girl dolls — accompanied by moms and dads, grandparents and a few hesitant big and little brothers — packed Cheyenne Mountain Resort Oct. 25 for a fashion show and tea. Snow didn’t seem to deter anyone, and most came dressed in Sunday best.

The 1 p.m. show sold out to its capacity — 500 — and the 4 p.m. seating brought in almost 300 more, according to sponsor Colorado Springs Alumnae Panhellenic.

The dolls sat with the girls for afternoon tea and several dolls were held aloft so they, too, could watch the fashion show of historical daywear and nightwear, as well as hear the history of the character dolls.

A table of American Girls dolls over the years was manned by Rachel Martin, Lindsey Wagner and Alaya and Akayla Wilson.

Looking at the busy scene as girls and dolls and grownups visited vendor tables, Shari Kovarik explained how the Colorado Springs-based nonprofit Madison’s Hope Inc. helps bring the dolls to some young girls who could only dream about having one. Used and abused American Girl dolls are refurbished and packaged and sent to needy girls who never know where the dolls came from.

One little girl lost her only sibling, her big sister, to cancer and dearly wanted a Kirsten doll because she was alone. Two indigent little girls received no Christmas gifts last year because, they reasoned, Santa probably couldn’t find them. They confided that if they could have anything at all they really wanted American Girl dolls. Madison’s Hope Inc. anonymously delivered dolls to all of these girls.

Proceeds from the fashion show and tea also went to young people, Kidpower of Colorado Springs, which empowers them to be safe.

Chairmen of the event were Ann Hall and Nancy Ickes. The steering committee included commentators Lori Langin and Natalie Brown, Deb Grandia, Vivian Patton, Wendy Peterson, Marsha Wayman, Cindy DeMore, Kathryn Carlson, Jane Elder, Vicki Vaxford, Margi Barrutia and Pat Webb.

In addition to the Raffle prizes (where they had to purchase tickets to win), there were a host of American Girl Door Prizes that were randomly drawn from specially marked programs. And of course all girls attending received an American Girl Fashion Show Goody Bag filled with American Girl mementos.

Raffle winners included: Courtney Parker, Bitty Twin Doll Set; Maiya Kondratieff, Bitty Baby Doll;  Rowan Briody, Rebecca Collection; Paige Cambell, Rebecca and Accessories Collection; Vicki Axford, Girl of the Year Starter Collection; Kayelynn Montague, Just Like You Doll. 

A number of American Girl Door Prizes that were randomly drawn from specially marked programs. All girls attending received an American Girl Fashion Show Goody Bag filled with American Girl mementos.

Among the vendors: Once Upon A Mind, Jennifer McIntyre, books; Beth Weatherford, Unit Leader, Creative Memories, photo scrapbooks from the event; Kristen Calarco Designs, handcrafted jewelry.

Representatives from Costco had giveaways for the girls. The newest Costco store opened four days later.

Volunteers included: Shaleen Prehm, Bev Bodman, Fran Leston, Christine Paetsch, Alaya Wilson , Akayla Wilson, Yvonne Livengood, Lynda DeAngelis, Mari Benzin, Karen Frank, Kristen Phillips, Sally Creely, Jo Weilbrenner, Peggy Carmack, Jeanne Jannette, Allison Moore, Lisa Cezalatdko, Denise Bjornrud, Brenda Scott , Lauren Scott, Mary Walker, Audra Regalado, Emily Elder, Rachel Martin, Nancy Pittman, Roseanne Miske, Kathy Martin, Donita Nelson, Michelle Stellick, Beth Weatherford, Lindsay Weatherford, Caroline Weatherford, Donna Lawhorn, Susan Shekerow, Lindsey Wagner, Katelyn Carmegnani, Alyssa Northam, Katie Shriver and Marcia Jacobs.