Party at Altitude Rocked Denver, Raising More Than $130,000 for Chronically Ill Children

Sky-high Event of the Season Benefited Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health

Nearly 400 guests packed the rooftop of DaVita World Headquarters on Aug. 19 for Party at Altitude, the inaugural event of the National Jewish Health 5280 AIR Society™. The event was presented by Hyde Park Jewelers and raised more than $130,000 for Morgridge Academy, a school for chronically ill children located on the campus of National Jewish Health.
 

David and Angela Feiner (center), co-chairs of the 5280 AIR Society with Party at Altitude co-chairs Ross and Karyn Chotin (left) and Dana and Brian Parks.

The AIR Society, a group of young professionals who support National Jewish Health, and the crowd danced to the beats of Chemical Foxes, an AXS Group production, while enjoying signature cocktails and delicious foods from top Denver restaurants and bars.

Jennifer McCullough, director of education at Morgridge Academy, spoke and shared a video showing the impact of their support on the school’s 90 students.

“Kids come to us struggling medically, physically, academically, socially and emotionally,” McCullough said. “Once kids get here, we see them thrive and bloom into these amazing people.”

Bo Jaxon of Mix 100 and Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports Radio led the live auction for a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch donated by Hyde Park Jewelers; tickets to the PGA tournament in Augusta, Ga., provided by the Bodnar family; and a private car to and from DIA donated by Jay’s Valet.

Ross Chotin, Party at Altitude co-chair and AIR Society member, then encouraged the crowd to continue their support of the students through the silent auction mobile bidding.

“Bid high and bid often. It all goes to provide education and healthcare to the children at Morgridge Academy,” Chotin said.

His co-chair, fellow AIR Society member and former Morgridge Academy student, Brian Parks, explained that “the nurses, teachers and counselors help the kids understand and manage their disease throughout the day, without missing out on time in the classroom. By graduation in eighth grade, they can manage their condition and are ready to return to public school.”

Models painted like the Denver skyline and a live giving tree, styled by Anderson Body Art FX and Matthew Morris Salon & Skincare, then roamed the room with opportunities for guests to donate to Morgridge Academy.

Leigh Sullivan, AIR Society member and owner of LSE Consulting, worked with executive chefs from premier restaurants to secure food and service donations. Barolo Grill, Fish ’N Beer, KTM, Matsuhisa, SOL Cocina, White Lies, and Work & Class came together to serve up an extravagant sampling from their menus. In addition, The Palm Restaurant provided an impressive raw bar. Steven Waters of White Lies and Girard Collier of Tacos Tequila Whiskey kept the drinks flowing all night with a full bar and signature cocktails. As the party kept going, Ink! Coffee served non-alcoholic, caffeinated and ice-cold nitro coffee that poured like a Guinness.

Major sponsors of Party at Altitude include Exclusive Presenting Sponsor Hyde Park Jewelers; Sky Sponsor MDC Richmond American Homes Foundation; Altitude Sponsors Dana and Brian Parks and the Parks Family, The Pluss Family, The Chotin Foundation and Brenda and Robert Bodnar; Media Sponsors CBS4, Mix 100 and Altitude Sports Radio, and 5280 Magazine.

5280 AIR Society
The 5280 AIR (Asthma, Immunology and Respiratory) Society was launched by Angela and Daniel Feiner in 2016, and is modeled after the New York AIR Society. Some of the members and their family had been treated for asthma, allergies and/or immune system disorders at National Jewish Health. This common tie gave them the inspiration to make their mark by supporting National Jewish Health events and eventually starting their own event. Since the group’s inception in 1991, the New York AIR Society has raised $4 million for the institution.

Morgridge Academy
Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health is a unique, free day school for 90 chronically ill students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Its mission is to provide a safe, friendly and healthy school environment where students succeed academically, medically and socially.