“Colors of the Mind” raises $215,000 for Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado
As a federal public defender for Colorado and Wyoming, Ginny Grady devotes much of her time advocating for the rights of indigent defendants, many with misunderstood medical conditions, including one she knows well: epilepsy. She has it. Grady and her husband, Tom Hammond, were honored when the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado hosted its annual fundraising gala.
“This awful energy that is so deep in our brains, so difficult to see — even by those who know what to look for — is as elusive as a shadow,” Grady said in her acceptance speech. “And when it doesn’t elude memory, it eludes descriptive language. It leaves those of us who are ordinarily comfortable with the written and spoken word without words. It is no wonder that ordinary people, who do not in some way live with epilepsy, do not understand it.”
Her husband, who is also a lawyer, joined her in thanking the Epilepsy Foundation for being “so critical to the epilepsy community. You speak for people like me, and for our families, better than we can.”
“Colors of the Mind” was the theme for the dinner, dance and auction that raised $215,000 and was held on the United Club Level of Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The co-chairs were Tracy
Murray and Kate Petrocco, who attended with their husbands Tim Murray and David Petrocco.
The theme was inspired by an oil painting of the same name that was created by Misty Eddy of Castle Rock, whose 9-year-old son, Austin, was diagnosed with epilepsy two years ago.
Gail Pundsack, the foundation’s executive director, joined the cochairs in welcoming a crowd that included Marcia and Tyler Forman; Candy and Ryan Palazzo; Carol and Dr. Mark Spitz; Marni and Mark Warren; Brenda and Peter Plow-shay; Lisa Marie and John Maxon; Cynthia and Charles Anderson; Dana and Chris Stehno; and Greg and Laura Ross. A portion of the evening’s proceeds go to two foundation-sponsored summer camps: the Jason Fleishman Camp for teens and the Rock ’n Rally Camp for children.
The Jason Fleishman Camp is named for the late son of Denver attorney Craig Fleishman. Fleishman, a member of the foundation board, and his girlfriend, Bobbi Rankin, invited Adrienne and Jack Fitzgibbons, Geri and Meyer Saltzman and Diane Huttner to join them at their table.
Fellow board member Brooke Gordon, who also serves on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, and her husband, Tom, were hosts to a group that included Josh Hanfling, Jack Finlaw and musician Kenny Passarelli.