Hall of Fame Gala planned

by Paulette Laster Stuart
HUERFANO — Huerfano County will have its own Hall of Fame as of October 5 when the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation will hold its first Spanish Peaks Legends Hall of Fame Gala. In addition to a wonderful dinner and dance, this elegant evening will honor several local people who have been nominated by Spanish Peaks Community Foundation members for their contributions to the area. Nominations may be from education, business, labor, arts and humanities, philanthropy, government, law, science and technology and health and human services. Posthumous nominations were also accepted.
The Legends Gala is a fundraiser for the recently formed Spanish Peaks Community Foundation whose mission is to improve opportunity, prosperity and pride in the Spanish Peaks Community. The Foundation was established two years ago with the purpose of raising money in an endowment fund, the investment growth of which can be distributed county-wide for projects and programs that improve Huerfano County, as well as help non-profit community groups who work on projects concerning youth, health, economic development, housing, and education.
The Foundation provides a forum for economic development. To date, the foundation’s revolving loan fund has helped with funding for Chae Organics, a Huerfano County based company which is expanding its operations to land near the hospital west of Walsenburg. The company expects its expansion to result in 20-30 new jobs for Huerfano County. Additionally, the Foundation is working on supporting the development of a new nursing home/assisted living facility for Huerfano County.
The gala is expected to become a yearly event and nomination forms for the 2013 Legends Gala will be on the table at the dinner so the community can fully particiate with nominations for next year.
Chairman Art Bobian will emcee the event, the Dynamix band will provide entertainment and a silent auction will help add to the festive evening.
The nominees will be announced in the Huerfano World Journal the week of the Gala.
The Huerfano County Community Center will be the venue for this first time event. Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $75 a couple or $40 for an individual and are available from any Spanish Peaks Community Foundation member, at the Huerfano World Journal office in Walsenburg, and Fuller Western Realty in La Veta. You may also call Art Bobian at 719-989-1772 for tickets or more information. Tickets must be purchased in advance. They will not be available at the door.
The Spanish Peaks Community Foundation Board of Directors are Art Bobian, Todd Oberheu, John Galusha, Keith Varner and Paul Machmuller. Foundation members are Bob Baker, Steve Byford, Bruce Cantrell, Neal Cocco, Dr. John Davis, Ray Faris, Dave Johnston, Kent Mace, Gretchen Sporleder Orr, Mary-Ann Romero, Reg Rudolph, Karen Sandbeck, Paulette Stuart and Max Vezzani.
New members are welcome, and need not live in Huerfano County— they must only have an affinity for Huerfano County and an interest in helping assure our area’s future prosperity.