2015 Cocktails with Class Raises More Than $90,000 for Morgridge Academy for Chronically Ill Children

Event Featured Spectacular Views, Eclectic Bites, Signature Cocktails, Craft Beer, Live Entertainment and Games on the Rooftop of DaVita World Headquarters

More than 250 guests raised more than $90,000 for Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health at Cocktails with Class, a one-of-kind cocktail reception that took place Saturday, November 7, 2015, on the Rooftop Marketplace of DaVita World Headquarters in Denver.

Morgridge Academy, the only school of its kind on a medical campus in the country, is a free, day school that serves approximately 90 children in grades kindergarten through eighth who require medical assistance during the school day. The students who attend Morgridge Academy have diagnoses that include severe asthma and allergies, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, atopic dermatitis (eczema), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular disorders. With a dedicated team of teachers, nurses, a child advocate, school counselor, P.E. teacher and fine arts teacher, the students receive a quality education, all while learning to manage their illness.

Cocktails with Class featured a spectacular setting with city lights and views, eclectic bites from the Palms Restaurant, high-end distilleries and their signature cocktails, craft beer, wine, games, prizes and a sold-out silent auction. KBCO’s Bret Saunders served as emcee and music was provided by The JV3, a Denver-based pop-rock cover band.

“Morgridge Academy is at the heart of the National Jewish Health mission. The students at this unique school on the National Jewish Health campus are facing every day with a chronic illness. That can mean missing school, sitting on the sidelines during gym class and making frantic visits to the emergency room. Morgridge Academy provides a safe, friendly and healthy school environment where students succeed academically, medically and socially.” said Event Co-Chair and Development Board Member Brian Parks, also a Morgridge Academy alum.

Committee members included Co-Chairs Carolyn Meske and Brian Parks; Ross Chotin; Andrew Duke; Brandon Ehrhart; Zach Frisch; Peter Korneffel; Rachel Moskovich; Tim Owen; Dana Pluss Parks; Brian Schmitt; Ellen Stewart; Shannon Stortz; and Taylor Surroz.

Sponsors included MDC Richmond American Homes Foundation, The Chotin Foundation, Brandon and Lauren Ehrhart, and The Parks Family Foundation, as well as Exclusive Restaurant Sponsor, The Palm Restaurant; Exclusive Radio Sponsor, KBCO; Exclusive Vodka Sponsor, Queen City Spirits; Exclusive Beer Sponsor, Odell Brewing Company; Exclusive Bourbon Sponsor, Angel’s Envy; and Exclusive Tequila Sponsor, Arta Tequila. Additional sponsors included CBRE; Dufford & Brown, P.C.; University of Denver; GE Johnson Construction Company; Intrawest; Carolyn A. Meske; Mortenson Construction; Timothy Owen; and Ellen Stewart and Donald Vancil.

For information about future Cocktails with Class events, contact Alexandra Vander Pol at VanderpolA@njhealth.org or 303.728.6527.