SEEN: Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ benefit raises record amount for Dumb Friends League
It wasn’t a birthday party per se, but the Sweet Sixteen edition of Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ raised cash gifts amounting to a record-setting $1.5 million. The funds are being applied to Building a Better Way Home, a $40 million, three-year campaign to renovate the Dumb Friends League’s Quebec Street shelter in Denver.
Even better: “Cable cowboy” John Malone and his wife, Leslie, have agreed to match, dollar-for-dollar, contributions up to $20 million.
This isn’t the first time that the couple has offered generous support to the DFL.
In 2012 the Malones — he is the largest stakeholder in Liberty Media and the single largest land owner in the U.S — gave a multimillion-dollar gift that enabled the Dumb Friends League to open the Harmony Equine Center in Douglas County. The center takes in abused or neglected horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that have been seized by law enforcement officials throughout Colorado.
Hosted by attorney Fred Bartlit and his wife, Jana, who is a life trustee of the DFL, Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ featured a chuckwagon buffet catered by renowned chef Tom Perini from Buffalo Gap, Texas, and a performance by four-time Grammy winner Seal.
The Bartlits, who are also chairing the Building a Better Way Home campaign, pick up the tab for all expenses, which means that every dollar from ticket sales, live and silent auctions and a special appeal goes directly to the DFL. “We have a blast planning this event,” Jana Bartlit said. “We love doing it.”
This year also marked the last year that Bob Rohde will be attending in his role as the DFL’s president and chief executive officer. His 40-year career with the DFL ends with his retirement in February. His successor is Apryl Steele, who practiced veterinary medicine for 18 years before joining the league as vice president for strategic initiatives.
“I have big shoes to fill,” Steele said. “Bob has created quite a legacy.”
Guests included dermatologist Leslie Capin, who was high bidder on three hotly contested auction items: having images of her pet on the cover of the DFL’s 2018 calendar, as well as on the front and back covers of the Dogs of Denver, a limited edition, hardcover book that will feature 250 of Denver’s most photogenic pooches. Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the DFL
9News general manager Steve Carter and Lynne Valencia, the station’s vice president for community relations, were at a table with Jean and Scott Johnson, owner-operators of the Flying Diamond Ranch in Kit Carson. Scott Johnson is also a member of the boards of Colorado State University, Colorado Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition furnishes food to the animals awaiting adoption at the Dumb Friends League and president Kostas Kontopanos was among the 500some guests attending the popular fundraiser. Ralph Johnson, CEO of PetAid Colorado, and CEO-designate Diane Matt, also were there, along with Chris Johnson, executive director of the County Sheriffs of Colorado; Mike Ferrufino, president/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and attorney Steve Shapiro and his wife, Mona; and Realtor Judy Fahrenkrog with her beau, Larry King.