AROUND TOWN: Flight for Life hangar 'Soiree'

It was time for something new, so the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation’s annual fundraising Soirée was held in the Flight for Life Colorado hangar and on the helipad.

And the guest of honor left early.

In the midst of the Aug. 13 celebration the helicopter and its on-duty flight crew were bid adieu by donors and supporters at St. Francis Medical Center as they lifted off to pick up a critically ill patient who was rushed to a Denver hospital.

During the evening guests were treated to a delicious — and healthful — buffet in the hangar, spent time visiting with flight crew members, enjoyed the music of Dotsero and picked up a goodie bag with a bottle of wine to take home. The wrapped bottles could have been anything from Trader Joe's Three Buck Chuck to $150 vintages.

A special gift was a challenge coin, one of the collector's medallions with the Flight for Life emblem.

The benefit with its innovative approach was a success, drawing more than 300 people and raising donations in six figures, said a delighted foundation president Diane LeBlanc.

The first indication it would be something extra special had come when invitations were opened to the sound of an emergency radio dispatch for Flight for Life (the voice of Kathy Rhynsburger). Invitations and graphics were the creation of Erin McGinnis.

The Soirée presenting sponsor was the Lyda Hill Foundation and major sponsors included the William H. Donner Foundation and the Donner Fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation in memory of Robert Donner Jr. and Robert “Bobby” Donner III for whom the hangar and heliport are named.

The event committee was chaired by Jenny Thatcher and included Susan Addy, Julie Armstrong, Joanie Bishop, Jessica Calip, Alisha Ensor, Joan Klein, Jan McCauley, Cathy Nolan, Emilie Simon, Betsy Sobral, Peggy Taylor, Mary Wall, Jill Woodford and Helen Zinn.

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