FIRE Foundation of Denver

For the past 12 months, the FIRE Foundation of Denver team and I have been busy at work planning our 3rd annual BonFIRE Gala. And wow! What a night it was. With the support of many donors, we raised over $600,000 in support of inclusive Catholic education!! What has struck me the most about the community here in Denver is their generosity and willingness to support a young organization. Our mission has been shaped by this generosity and the unimaginable blessing of the Holy Spirit. Our theme this year - it only takes a spark - says it all. Whether that is the spark of a teacher's hard work, a donor's generosity, a parent's determination, or a peer's kindness, it only takes a spark to ignite inclusive Catholic education for children with disabilities in the Archdiocese of Denver. Of the 100 or so events I've been a part of over the past decade, I have to say that I am most proud of this one. And I know our success is largely due to the great group of people who came together to make it happen - often behind the scenes and even unnoticed. From the gorgeous setting of the Cable Center Events and the impeccable event staff of Veronica Java-Nishida and Valerie Kerns to the delicious food provided by Occasions Catering managed by Holly Page to the incredible drinks prepared by Peak Beverage from the bar stock donated by Bevy's Liquor World to lively entertainment from Odessa Rose and Bryan Circus Knight to our keynote speaker, Francis X Maier, to our energetic emcee, Scott Powell, to our moving video produced by John Wojtasek and Golden Eagle Creative to the eye-catching materials designed by Sarah Smitka to our exciting live auction led by Jennifer Clifford to the seamless check-in and check-out experience managed by Melissa Estepp and her team at Premier Events By Melissa, there isn't a detail I would change. I could not have asked for a better group of event creatives to make the evening possible. It was a great honor to present our FIREstarter Awards to Abriana Chilelli, darilyn bixenman, and an anonymous donor. Very well-deserved! And a huge shoutout to our volunteers, especially Melissa Penza, Sarah Sisneros, Hilary Dehn, Krista Hardin, and our whole BonFIRE committee. We are grateful, as well, to Cardinal Stafford and Bishop Rodriguez for joining us. Finally, a special thank you to our FIRE Denver Board - Eve Langston, MD, Jessica Johnson, Jill Hall, Dave Holden, darilyn bixenman, JD Flynn, Kate Flynn, Wesley M. Hardin, Lori Sutorius Jones, Susan Selner-Wright - and my fellow staff member, Gladys Oster. We could not do this without you! Here's to beginning plans for BonFIRE 2025! Photos by the amazing David Gaston and Jorge Paredes.

"An educator’s sacred task is to always lead his students to the most they are capable of coming to know, with discernment towards giving students that which are the most beautiful, good, and true things to behold." Beautiful words written by 2024 FIREstarter Award recipient, Abriana Chilelli. Read more about Chilelli's reflections on inclusion in Catholic schools and the mission of liberal education: https://lnkd.in/erS5UW3G

Our 2024 annual video is HERE! Visit our YouTube page to catch the full feature: https://lnkd.in/gCR9xhtG

FIRE Foundation of Denver is once again blown away by YOUR generosity?at the annual BonFIRE Gala. With over $600,000 raised,?we have surpassed our fundraising goal by nearly $150,000!! Your support of this mission will help to ensure?Catholic school students with disabilities are welcomed, supported, and valued. Thank you to every sponsor, donor, ticket buyer, volunteer, supporter, attendee, and promoter of this event - YOU are the spark?that ignites FIRE Denver. We look forward to seeing you next year on February 6 for Hearts on FIRE and August 23 for BonFIRE Gala. Didn't get a chance to attend? You can still make a fully tax-deductible gift by visiting https://lnkd.in/gcc4b4Nt

FIRE Foundation of Denver works every day to make this responsibility a reality. Learn more about our work and ways to support by reading our recent article in the Denver Catholic: https://lnkd.in/gH98qkNz

As the FIRE Denver community eagerly awaits the results from our 2024 BonFIRE Gala, we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors of this year's event. It truly would not be possible without you all!

ICYMI: Last week, the Denver Catholic published an article on FIRE Denver's milestone partnership with its first Catholic High School - Holy Family in Broomfield. Join us in celebrating this achievement and read the full article to learn more about this new chapter for inclusive Catholic education in Denver: https://lnkd.in/gpuWP2Ai

Introducing the rest of our 2024 BonFIRE Live Auction! Learn more about all 8 of our spectacular items by visiting auctria.events/bonfire24. ?? Dinner with George Weigel, Biographer to Pope St. John Paul II. Spend an evening of dinner, drinks, and storytelling with George Weigel, author of the bestselling Witness to Hope. Hosts JD and Kate Flynn invite 8 guests to dine in style in a downtown Denver restaurant of your choice to meet the papal biographer. ?? Hamilton: A Local Staycation. Don’t throw away your shot! Get ready for a night out to witness the best of musical theatre with HAMILTON: An American Musical on Saturday, October 26. After the show, spend the evening at the brand new Populus, the first carbon positive hotel in the United States. ?? Granby Mountain Getaway. The mountains are calling, and I must go! Enjoy a week-long stay at a spacious cabin with two rounds of golf included at Pole Creek Golf Club. Located in the heart of beautiful Grand County, Colorado, this 2-bedroom plus bunk room cabin sleeps up to 9 people and is located on a quiet street just blocks from the family-friendly Granby Ranch Lodge & Ski Hill. ?? LET'S GO NUGGETS!! Calling all Nuggets fans! Snag these highly coveted Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic authentic signed jerseys, a signed picture of Aaron Gordon, and tickets to a regular season home game of the winner's choice. Can't make it to the event? You can still be the spark by making a fully tax-deductible gift to the event: https://lnkd.in/gUVSPqTV

Today is National Nonprofit Day! We are honored to have served the local Denver Catholic community for the past 3 years and look forward to many more years to come. Learn more about the work of FIRE Foundation of Denver by visiting firefoundationdenver.org.

Check out some of the INCREDIBLE items in this year's BonFIRE Live Auction! ??Insider's Tour of Catholic France. Explore France next summer like a local with 10 days and 9 nights of an incredible pilgrimage for four through Lourdes and Paris. ?? Bourbon Bonanza! Calling all bourbon enthusiasts! This Buffalo Trace bundle includes a bottle of Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12 year, a bottle of Weller 107p, and a bottle of Blanton's Bourbon. ?? Fairway to Heaven. Fore!! Perfect your swing and play like a pro with this ultimate golf package at The Sanctuary, Castle Pines, TPC Colorado, and lessons at GolfTec. ?? Paradise by the Sea: Mexico Vacation. Toss your cares in the wind for an incredible vacation to the hot destinations of Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta! With two locations and three resorts, you get to choose your dream resort getaway with this up to 8-day couples’ trip. Add two children for free! Read more about these and other items by visiting auctria.events/bonfire24. Can't make it to the event? You can still be the spark by making a fully tax-deductible gift to the event: https://lnkd.in/gUVSPqTV