Captured Event

January, 16 2010 - Loan Vo's 30th Birthday - Casino Royale for Kids

What: Fundraiser for Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation and the YESS Institute

Where: Grant Humphreys Mansion at 700 Pennsylvania Street in Denver

When: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Time: 7 p.m. to midnight

Ticket Prices: General Admission: $35

Beneficiary: Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation & The YESS Institute

Host(s): Alma Lugtu, Ryan Frazier, Kenton Kuhn, Yung Vu, Eric Woody, Greg Vernon, Kent Youngblood, James Foy

Honoree(s): Birthday Girl - Loan Vo

Libations: Full bar + incredible martini creations made with Orchid Liqueurs compliments of owner, Jim Beimford

Catering: The Food Guy

Entertainment: Poker Tournament, Blackjack, Craps & Roulette - by Casino on the Go!

Music: Kenton Kuhn on Piano, and Casey Smith spinning tunes

Of note: After-party held at Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria, 7th & Logan, from 12am-2am. 25% of sales were donated to the fundraiser.

Menu: Food stations as well as passed hors d'oeuvres

Attendance: 100

Attire: Blacktie/Formal

Special Thanks: Cake created and baked by Vinh Xuong

Hors D'Oeuvres:: Some delectable items to name a few: beef sliders, crab cakes, Italian meatballs and assorted cheeses, relish trays, fruits, dips, nuts and veggies

Information: Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation: www.cihadf.org; YESS Institute: www.yessinstitute.org

Decor/Rental Company: Decor by the event staff of The Food Guy

Blacktie Photos by: Nancy Koontz

Birthday Girl, Loan Vo, is surrounded by her favorite princesses: Sasha, Shelby, Ariana & Jenna
View all photos

We wouldn't expect anything less from young professional community leader, Loan Vo (who looked stunning in a Saks Fifth Avenue aqua colored gown), than to turn her 30th birthday celebration into a fundraiser for youth-at-risk. 

Loan's family and friends gathered for a night of "Casino Royale" at the historic Grant Humphreys Mansion to raise money for two non-profits that are near and dear to Loan's heart: The Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation (CIHAD) and the YESS Institute.

CIHAD helps some of Denver’s most disadvantaged youth achieve academic success by adopting classes of students and providing comprehensive assistance through their completion of high school. Director of Advancement, Amy Farnan, who was at the event said, “The money we raise impacts kids who really deserve it, kids changing expectations. While they might have seen a 12-percent high school graduation projection, we help them achieve a 90-percent rate. If we put time and energy in them, they will succeed. Overall, we do good work!”

Under the helm of founder, Carlo Kriekels, also a party guest, the YESS Institute offers emotional intelligence/leadership trainings for staff at non-profit agencies as well as training/peer-mentoring programs for youth. In addition, they are in the process of formalizing their "YESS Emotional Intelligence" curriculum and are proud of their accomplishments such as: offering youth training/peer-mentoring programs in ten Denver-metro schools, providing training workshops to staff at over 65 local nonprofits and presenting at regional and national conferences related to youth development.  YESS is one of 16 local agencies currently partnering in the "Youth Mentoring Collaborative", funded in part by the Denver Department of Health and Human Services.  In addition, they have been recognized for documentaries produced about their youth programs - "Tuesdays at Morey" and "Building Character Through Youth Empowerment ."  

Money was raised if you participated in a poker tournament and other casino games such as blackjack, craps and roulette for a chance to win great prizes like a weekend in Breckenridge, bottle service at Suite 200, Dinner for two at Capital Grille, and more.  (The poker tournament was won by Richard Lewis, and Ryan Frazier won the general tournament.)

Along with the games, guests enjoyed tasty Hors d'oeuvres, exotic drinks, and some killer birthday cake while listening to live piano music played by the talented, Kenton Kuhn and hip tunes spun by DJ Casey Smith.  Oh what a night - and oh what an amazing honoree!  Happy 30th Loan!