UPDATES
March 7 2003 Update
Marla’s benefit dinner was an un-paralleled success, due to the tireless efforts of her friends from high school and supporters from the community, both in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, who put in countless hours organizing and coordinating the details. Also due to the numerous artists, professionals, and businesses that donated the fruits of their efforts to the silent auction for the cause of helping her journey of recovery. We are touched by the generous contributions of so many, even in a difficult economic environment.
Feel free to browse through some photographs of this amazing evening!
Please keep checking in on the website, as this will be the initial forum in which we provide recognition and offer our heartfelt gratitude for the groundswell of support from the community. We plan to create a website section in which we can publicly acknowledge and recognize all those who have contributed in a myriad ways to help pave Marla’s pathway of recovery.
Marla’s entire family was stunned by the outpouring of caring from the community throughout the evening. The event started at 5:30 PM at the beautiful Glenwood Springs Community Center. By 6:00 PM, there was a line extending and wrapping around the outside of the the building, and the line simply never seemed to get any shorter! The parking lot was filled beyond capacity, and we saw plenty of cars parked out along Wulfsohn road. We do not as of yet have an initial count of attendees, but it was at least 700-800, and probably more.
The silent auction was a categorical success, as the bidding became quite competitive on many of the superb artwork pieces, services, quilts, apparel, and other items that were up for bid.
The entire evening was a whirlwind for Mary, Leo, and Mark. It seemed as if every time we turned around, there was another individual or family that we have known throughout our years in Glenwood Springs, with plenty of conversation, catching up, and of course, discussion about Marla’s progress. And for every one of you that we had the pleasure of talking to, there were probably two that we saw in passing, but didn’t get to talk to for very long as we were swept up in the whirlwind again! Each member of the family was hoarse by the end of the night from so many wonderful conversations and interactions.
The event made two points abundantly clear to us:
Marla is a beacon of light in the lives of those who know her, even those who have only met her once or twice. Her infectious smile, positive outlook, and warm supportiveness have touched the hearts of countless individuals.
Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley (and beyond) is a truly incredible community. We realize that the event was as much a tribute to the indomitable spirit of family within our community as it was a benefit gathering.
The depth of our gratitude for this supportive family cannot be expressed by words. We can only hope to express our thanks through an enduring commitment to contribute as active members within this loving community family to its continued success. We realize that it is not common for a community to come together in this way to support one of its own. What is truly special about our community here in the Roaring Fork Valley is that it is far from a rarity here. Trust that we realize the preciousness, value, and power of this awe-inspiring extended family.