As the clock struck 8:00, masked guests entered the Mile High Station for the 2nd Annual Mile High Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball. Guests were treated to free beverages from Coors, UIltimat Vodka, and Patron as they listened to DJ Josefudes spin tracks to get the night started.

The night really ramped up when the U2 Tribute band "Under the Blood Red Sky" started their set with some of the classic U2 jams of old. To slow things down a bit, Cathy Gauch dazzled the crowd with her aerial acrobatic show 15 feet above the crowd. Guests continued to enjoy themselves well into the evening ... and for those who had the extra energy, there was an after party at "24 Karat"

The 2nd Annual Mile High Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball benefited both the Puksta Foundation and Safehouse Denver. Please see below for more information on these two great foundations.

The Puksta Foundation The Puksta Foundation is a non-profit, educational foundation started as the last will and testament of Harry and Eva Puksta. The mission of the Puksta Foundation is to provide the opportunity for underprivileged Colorado students to pursue a college education and to develop a commitment to citizenship, leadership and community engagement.

The Pukstas understood that a college education is only part of one's learning opportunity and that participation in the community through volunteer activities is the perspective that truly shapes an individual's life. For this reason, the Foundation encourages all Puksta scholarship recipients to become engaged in the community and to volunteer time and energy to the betterment of Colorado.

The foundation was established in 2001 and awarded its first scholarships for the Fall semester of 2002. Since then, the foundation has established Puksta Scholars programs at the The University of Denver, The University of Colorado at Boulder and at Colorado State University. Each Puksta Scholar is required to identify a need in the community, whether it is their local community or global community, and develop a program which addresses that need. Scholars in the past have worked on issues such as health care, mentoring young adults at risk, renewable energy and immigration. Puksta Scholars serve as a catalyst for bringing about positive change in the campus culture and in the local communities, while acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences necessary for ethical, responsible citizenship upon graduation.

For information on getting involved or making donation please visit http://www.pukstafoundation.org/about/index.htm

 

 

Safehouse Denver : SafeHouse Denver works to eliminate domestic violence in our communities by:

* providing shelter and counseling to victims of abuse;

* working with public and community agencies to improve the way our systems respond to domestic violence;

* and by offering educational programming to prevent future violence.

Established in 1977, SafeHouse Denver operates the only shelter in the City and County of Denver that exclusively serves victims of domestic violence. SafeHouse also runs a non-residential Counseling & Advocacy Center where they provide support services to women and children who don't need emergency housing.

SafeHouse began as a 16-bed shelter providing a safe place for women and their children. Today, SafeHouse's shelter has 26 beds plus cribs, serving more than 340 women and children in a typical year. In addition, SafeHouse serves hundreds more women and children through non-residential services. More than just keeping women and children safe, SafeHouse services include individual counseling, advocacy support groups, legal assistance and referrals to other services.

SafeHouse strives to:

* intervene in domestic violence with services that empower women and children to live free from domestic abuse.

* prevent domestic violence through education efforts that foster and support a broad movement for violence-free communities.

* facilitate an interactive, collaborative community response to domestic violence that identifies victims earlier, makes victim services more accessible, and builds community awareness and accountability.

For information on getting involved or making donation please visit http://www.safehouse-denver.org/content/view/29/1/