So... I've been planning for Saturday April 24, 2010 for at least a year - and fortunately it came and went with much success! Garth Brook's Teammates for Kids Foundation & The Aikman Foundation built a Child Life Zone inside of Denver Health. These are areas for kids being treated in the hospital to just be kids - play, create, make music, cook, etc... We are the 7th Zone in the nation, and the only one in the Rocky Mountain region. Because of this connection Garth Brooks agreed to perform live at our Gala. Additionally, Denver Health is celebrating 150 years of existence, so our event had to be over the top! I found myself in the fortunate events manager position and put all the details together.
Before the actual black-tie evening we had a press conference & ribbon cutting ceremony at Denver Health. We had at least 1500 people there - The school of rock performed (age 11-17) as did a Jr. High mariachi band. I also had girl scouts post the colors, and they were mostly kindergartners - so cute. While all of this was happening there were also two VIP parties happening inside - it was basically insanity, but went off without a hitch.
Garth Brooks, Sharon Magness Blake (event chair), Dr. Gabow (CEO), Troy Aikman cutting the ribbon.
Troy Aikman addressing the crowd while many professional athletes and Garth Brooks watch on.
Meeting Troy & Rhonda Aikman
okay, not my best picture... go easy on me. But I am standing with Garth Brooks who was totally impressive, talked to everyone in the room and felt like the guy next door.
Note Troy, Garth, Trisha Yearwood, and our cute niece Avery exploring the Zone.
We converted the stock show arena into a black-tie affair. As you entered on the concourse looking down onto the floor it was a breathtaking site!
It was just Garth on stage with his guitar - he was AWESOME! He basically talked about his musical influences - played all kinds of covers and was down to earth and kind all day! He covered everyone from Doobie Brothers, to Elton John, to James Taylor, to Billy Joel, to George Strait, to Simon & Garfunkel, and some old school country that I didn't know.
The room from one of the tables.
The sweet part about being in charge was that Matt and I watched the show from the stairs on the right - yes...the ones leading up to the stage.
We had a great turnout, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Garth & Trisha, Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, Shjon Podein, Jeremy Bloom, Haven Moses, Billy Thompson, Karl Mecklenberg are all athletes that were there. We also had a lot of great corporate presidents, media, etc... it was great for our hospital & the Denver Health Foundation!!
Trisha joined him on stage for two songs.
Jonny & Kaylene came out to help - and volunteered basically the whole day (they rule!). Jon was hit on by some cougars - work it, and they were both extremely helpful!!! Thanks guys. We raised around $2.2 million dollars that night - woot woot!!
