Captured Event

June, 03 2005 - Clinica Tepeyac Fiesta on The Plaza: Entering Our Second Decade of Compassionate Care

What: Dinner, Performances, Auction and Honors

Where: Seawell Ballroom

When: June 3, 2005

Time: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Beneficiary: Clinica Tepeyac

Host(s): Anne Trujillo, Anchor, Denver's 7 News

Honoree(s): Dick Heiney, 2005 Outstanding Community Partner; Lonna Bloom, 2005 Jim and Gloria Garcia Founders Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service

Gala Chairperson(s): Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen and Lucille Ruibal

Honorary Chairperson(s): Denver Fire Chief Larry Trujillo and Michelle Trujillo

Founders: Jim Garcia and Gloria Padilla de Garcia

Executive Director: Rosanna Reyes, RN MPA

Committee Members: Adrianna Abarca, Aileen Lucero, Bea Montoya, Beth Elland, Brenda Vasquez, Cathy Schuster, Donna Goldin, Don Quade, Frances Jimenez, George Rivera, Gilbert Barrera, Grace Quade, Gloria Padilla de Garcia, Jeff Martinez, Jesse Ogas, Jim Garcia, Liz Estrada, Lori Trujillo, Lorna D'Alena, Mary Monzon, Marisel Acosta, Marie Jimenez, Michelle Trujillo, Nancy Sneath, Rosanna Reyes, Rob Medina, Veronica Montoya

Staff: Rosanna Reyes, Marisela Acosta, Cecilia Apodaca, Omar Esparza, Delia Gonzalez, Oswaldo Lozano, Stefan Reyes, Sandra Ronquillo, Araceli Tornero, Jaime and Lourdes Melendez Guillen, Sherri Casas

Invocation: Rev. Stephen W. Planning

Speaker: Brenda Vasquez: Board President, and Rosanna Reyes: Executive Director

Entertainment: El Mariachi Juvenil de Bryant Webster, and Ricardo Olmos

Of note: Travel package donated by African Eyes Travel

Sponsors: First Data Corporation, Great West Life, HealthONE North Suburban Medical Center American Family Insurance, Univision Colorado Maya Sponsors: D. C. General, Kiewit Construction, Mile High United Way, St. Anthony's Hospital Inca Sponsors: Clear Channel, Colorado Trust, Metro State College--Health Center of Auraria, Regis University, St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Wells Fargo

Gala Production: Kelli Kindel Events, Inc.

Quote of the evening: "Some off us are poor, but only in the material, for our heritage is rich." The late Denver Poet Laureate, Lalo Delgado

Menu: Buffet Dinner

Attendance: 450

Board of Directors: Brenda Vasquez, President; Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen, Vice President, M. Beth Elland, Treasurer; Donna A. Goldin, Secretary; Candace Berardinelli, RN, PhD; Rolla "Mac" Bryant, CPA; Jim Garcia, Co-founder; Steve Gutierrez; Brad Haight; Bea Montoya; Rita Montano, RN; Nancy Sneath, MSW, LCSW; Carlos Francisco Vera, MD; Jesse Ogas; Vernon L. Naake, MD; Mario Carrera

Blacktie Photos by: Rebecca Zimmerman

Honorees Dick Heiney and Mary Brewer
View all photos

Rebecca Zimmerman

Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding in the Denver area couldn’t keep the crowd away from Clinica Tepeyac’s 11th annual Fiesta on the Plaza at the Seawell Ballroom. Hundreds of Clinica Tepeyac supporters and volunteers, including many luminaries of the Latino and medical communities, gathered to celebrate this organization, which for more than a decade has provided the uninsured men, women, and children of the Denver metro area with quality medical care.

Denver’s 7 News anchor Anne Trujillo welcomed guests to a gala cheerfully decorated with harvest wreaths, miniature adobe mission churches, and lavishly hand-painted flower pots by local artist Dan Luna.

El Mariachi Juvenil de Bryant Webster, a mariachi group composed of talented elementary-school-aged musicians, filled the air with a lively beat. (The young members are not only required to take two instrument lessons and one voice lesson per week, they must also maintain exemplary grades in school.) A buffet feast including shrimp, mole poblano, queso fundido, Spanish rice, salads, fruit, and dessert empanadas, tempted guests’ palates.

After Father Stephen W. Planning led an inspiring prayer, the audience was treated to a video memorial to Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, a tireless activist for the Latino community who was posthumously named Denver’s first Poet Laureate by Mayor John Hickenlooper. Mr. Delgado was one of the Clinica Tepeyac’s first and most loyal supporters. His widow, Lola, and their many proud children and grandchildren were present for the tribute.

As guests enjoyed socializing, the buffet, and the music of Ricardo Olmos, they were also able to bid on silent auction items, including jewelry, art, passes to Denver’s world-class cultural amenities, gift certificates, sports memorabilia, and travel opportunities.

Board President Brenda Vasquez and Executive Director Rosanna Reyes each delivered remarks about the impact the Clinica Tepeyac has had in the community. Thirty-two percent of Coloradoans under the age of sixty-five have gone without medical insurance for a significant period within the past two years, and according to other research, twenty-eight percent of Latinos in the Denver area currently do not have health insurance… which all goes to show the great need for quality healthcare that the Clinica Tepeyac provides.

One of Ms. Reyes’ memorable remarks was, “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” The women presented a video entitled “Entering Our Second Decade of Compassionate Care” which outlined the mission of the clinic and announced future expansions.

Clinica Tepeyac’s Board of Directors presented honors to those who have helped it thrive. Dick Heiney, President of D. C. General Services, was awarded the Outstanding Community Partnership Award for 2005. Mr. Heiney is a former member of the board has assisted immensely in interior renovations to the clinic.

The Jim and Gloria Garcia Founders’ Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service this year was given to Lonna Pelton Bloom, a Physician Assistant who spends literally hundreds of hours per year serving in the Clinica Tepeyac pediatric clinic.

The evening concluded with a silent auction of two truly unforgettable items. First, Denver Fire Chief Larry Trujillo presented “Denver Firefighter for a Day,” the winner of which will experience what it is like to be one of the city’s heroes. Next was a luxurious South African safari of six days and nights in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

As the thunderstorms dissolved into a beautiful spring evening, guests danced to local band Juarez 60, and Clinica Tepeyac kicked off another year of service and excellence in the Denver community.