The event raised a record $468,000—$156,000 more than last year— to support all programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services.

Going into the luncheon, JFS had raised more than $262,000 from ticket sales and sponsorships. During the event, Elaine and Max Appel offered a generous dollar-for-dollar match of up to $100,000. Nearly $106,000 in additional funds were raised at the event, including a surprise $10,000 donation from Christopher Gardner himself, bringing the total for the event to more than $468,000.

Gardner is a motivational speaker and author of the book-turned-movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Conquering grave challenges to become a successful entrepreneur, Gardner is a powerful and inspirational speaker, addressing the keys to overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles. He shared his powerful story of being a homeless single father that Will Smith portrayed in the movie about his life in 2006.

Gardner told the audience that when the movie was in the works and Will Smith’s name came up, “I was not feeling it. My daughter convinced me that if he could play Mohammed Ali, he could play me.” He talked about his feelings on parenthood: “When I was five, I made the promise to myself that I would be there for my kids. Becoming a parent was the most important thing in my life because I grew up without a dad and a stepdad who reminded me constantly that he wasn’t my father.”

He poignantly related his life story to the work that JFS does and pledged a donation of $10,000 to the agency. Gardner received a standing ovation and attendees clamored to meet him at the VIP photo reception following the luncheon.

Jim Benemann, news anchor for Denver’s CBS4, returned this year as the luncheon emcee. Rabbi Eliot Baskin, JFS community chaplain, gave the opening benediction. JFS Board Chair Alan Mayer and President & CEO Yana Vishnitsky acknowledged and thanked the many sponsors and event contributors.

One of JFS’s SHALOM Denver clients, Heidi Pittaway, bravely shared her personal success story about how the agency’s job training program helped her, as a young single mother of two, transition from welfare to work. “SHALOM guided me,” Heidi said. “The program gave me a dose of reality and helped me build my skills and confidence to succeed. I told my case manager of my interest in business, and she found me an internship with the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau (BBB). I worked hard and, with the support of the vice president of operations, I was hired as her assistant at the end of my internship.” Heidi continues to work at the BBB while going to school and has big plans for her education and career.

Major sponsors for the JFS Executive Luncheon included Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Denver Business Journal; Will and Sheri Gold; Rose Medical Center; Joyce Zeff; Adam and Katie Agron; ANB Bank; Elaine and Max Appel; The Chotin Foundation; The Denver Post Community; Green Manning & Bunch Ltd.; Katzson Brothers—Richard and Michelle Right; Steve and Elizabeth Kris; Robert and Robyn Naiman; Andrew and Jonathan Right; and TransVac Solutions. Event chairs were Adam Agron, David Asarch, and Michele Right. Event advisor was Jamie Sarché.

About Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Founded in 1872, Jewish Family Service of Colorado is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder, helping seniors age in place, providing mental health counseling to individuals and families in distress, offering training and placement services to those with barriers to employment, and providing crisis intervention and food to people in need. Every year, JFS benefits more than 21,000 people of all ages, faiths and incomes. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit http://www.jewishfamilyservice.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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DENVER

“People love the idea of keeping their home in shape because that translates to saving money and a healthier, safer environment for their family,” said Allen Shulman, co-founder and chief executive officer of BrightNest. “But, getting organized can be overwhelming. The Homefolio brings an order to the chaos, providing people with the organization and direction they need to stay on top of home maintenance. No more drawers of unidentified manuals and papers, now it’s all right there at their fingertips.”

How It Works
BrightNest users can start creating their Homefolio instantly online. Once signed in to their free BrightNest account, they can click on the Homefolio, go through each room and enter details about appliances, wall coverings, paint colors, flooring and other features. Then, based on the information entered, BrightNest provides customized to-do’s, reminders and simple step-by-step instructions on a weekly basis. The more information people enter, the more customized advice they receive for their home. Beyond storing owner’s manuals and design details, people can also store important phone numbers for contractors and emergency contacts.

“Our vision is to make BrightNest the place where people go online to explore, organize and take action when it comes to their home,” said Shulman. “The Homefolio is the go-to tool for organizing – it keeps all essential information in one easy place, but it also brings tangible value for homeowners. They can track repair and maintenance history, which they can use for their own records or pass on to prospective buyers as reassurance during the selling process.”

Stay Tuned
BrightNest users can look forward to even more tools and features in the next several months. Homefolio plans to add the ability to store warranty information, add home photos and documents, and notify affected users of consumer recalls. To sign up for a free BrightNest account and start using the Homefolio, visit www.brightnest.com.

About BrightNest
Launched in October 2011, BrightNest is a consumer-focused site that gives homeowners the customized tools, tips and motivation they need to keep their home in great shape and to save them money. Founded by a homebuilder with 25 years of experience in the field, Allen Shulman set out to completely change the homeowner experience by developing a customized owner’s manual for the home that is fun, easy to use and relevant to homeowner’s lives. For more information, visit www.brightnest.com.

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DENVER – May 3, 2012

Judy Bradt of Alexandria, Va., is chief executive officer of Summit Insight, a consulting firm that has provided business development and government procurement policy advice to more than 6,000 clients since 1988. Tonya Clement of Boulder, Colo., has more than 25 years of domestic and international product sales, marketing, and supply chain experience in organizations ranging from small start-up entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Hilary Silberman of Salt Lake City, is a clinical supervisor in the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Utah Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. Briann Zimmermann is pursuing her master’s degree in library and information studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.

“We are so pleased to welcome these four people to the HERA board,” said Jill Slansky, board president. “They bring a wealth of knowledge, breadth of experience and wonderful new ideas to the organization. Each is deeply committed to HERA’s mission to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer and to empowering women to take control of their health.”

Based in Denver, the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation was established in 2002 while Sean Patrick was recovering from her seventh ovarian cancer surgery. HERA’s signature fundraisers are its Climb4Life events, a series of rock climbing and hiking weekends held in four cities around the country: Boston, Mass.; Boulder, Colo.; Washington, D.C.; and Salt Lake City, Utah. What started as a single event in Salt Lake City has grown into a multi-city program attracting hundreds of participants and numerous partners.

“All of these individuals bring their passion for rock climbing to the organization,” said Meg Steitz, executive director. “They have all been involved with HERA for many years, so their participation on the board is a natural fit.”

Through its 2012 Climb4Life series, HERA aims to raise more than $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and awareness initiatives. The organization commits approximately 88 percent of the funds raised for scientific research and community grants, as well as education and awareness initiatives for ovarian cancer.

About the HERA Foundation:

Established in 2002, the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness. As a nationally recognized ovarian cancer organization, HERA provides funding for cutting-edge research grants to scientists at respected medical institutions. In so doing, HERA attracts more young researchers to expand the scientific understanding of ovarian cancer while improving the lives of those battling the disease. In addition, HERA awards grants to local community groups to raise awareness about the disease in novel and unusual ways. More information is available at www.herafoundation.org.

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“When we look at an image, we only see a small window into someone’s life,” said Stephanie Prosenjak, artistic director for 7dancers. “An American Portrait highlights that concept while showcasing dance styles ranging from the jitterbug to the two-step that have swept our country and helped define the American culture over the last several decades.”

An American Portrait is a collaborative performance choreographed by: Emily Buferd, Jenna Hawkins, Stephanie McGill, Stephanie Prosenjak and Andrew Thompson. The show features 7dancers’ current ensemble including:  Cara Cooper, Lindsey Hall, Amy Hollinger, Natalie Kitka, Jennifer Kuhn, Stephanie McGill and David Reuille.

An American Portrait opens Friday, May 18 at 7:37 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday, May 19 at 3:07 and 7:37 p.m., and the final performance on Sunday, May 20 at 3:07 p.m. The show will take place at the DCPA’s Ricketson Theatre at 1101 13th St. in downtown Denver. Ticket are $17 for children and students and $27 for adults and can be purchased by calling 303-399-8087 and online at www.7dancers.com.

7dancers performs several original shows each year in the Denver area, all of which feature diverse dance styles, musical selections, and cultural and artistic themes. 7dancers consists of a core team of seven professional dancers who have extensively studied, taught and performed various forms of dance.  More information about 7dancers is available online at www.7dancers.com.

About 7dancers
7dancers is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional dance company that entertains and educates audiences through all forms of dance. 7dancers presents a diverse range of dance styles from ballet and tap to hip hop and break dance through live performances, community outreach and school residencies. The organization was founded in 2006 by Stephanie and Lee Prosenjak, owners of Cherry Creek Dance, to advance dance appreciation. For more information, visit www.7dancers.com.

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DENVER

Climb4Life Utah participants will climb and hike throughout the weekend with professional guides from Utah Mountain Adventures and SPLORE. Groups are broken up by ability, ensuring that all participants stay challenged and sharpen their skills. Climb4Life also offers special activities for families with children, including a half-day climb and indoor climbing. Brand new this year, Climb4Life will offer a photography track for participants interested in perfecting their photography skills alongside professional photographers, videographers and trainers.

The Climb4Life series was conceived in 2001 while HERA Founder Sean Patrick was recovering from her seventh ovarian cancer surgery. What started as a single event in Salt Lake City has grown into a multi-city program attracting hundreds of participants and numerous partners. The Climb4Life series is fundamental in helping HERA accomplish its mission to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness. 

“Sean believed that the skills women learn in climbing – problem solving, risk taking and self-confidence – enable them to climb all the mountains in their lives, including those related to their health,” said Meg Steitz, executive director for the HERA Foundation. “She founded HERA and the Climb4Life series in this spirit, and we’re proud to carry on her legacy with the 11^th climb in Salt Lake City, our longest running fundraising event. We invite cancer survivors, their cheerleaders and champions, and anyone else interested in supporting this amazing and worthwhile cause to join us.”

Through its 2012 Climb4Life series, HERA aims to raise more than $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and awareness initiatives. The organization commits 88 percent of the funds raised for scientific research and community grants, as well as education and awareness initiatives for ovarian cancer.

The 2012 HERA Climb4Life^SM series includes:

April 28-29 – Inaugural Climb4Life Boston – Boston, MA

June 22-23 – 6^th Annual Climb4Life Colorado – Boulder, CO

July 14-15 – 7^th Annual Climb4Life DC – Washington, DC

September 14-16 – 11^th Annual Climb4Life Utah – Salt Lake City, UT

Early registration for Climb4Life Utah is open through August 17 for $60 and increases to $75 thereafter. All registrations include a commemorative event shirt, goodie bags, entrance to Friday and Saturday night parties, Sunday afternoon happy hour, and two days of climbing, hiking, or photography classes. For more information, visit www.herafoundation.org.

About the HERA Foundation:

Established in 2002, the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop the loss of women from ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research, and Awareness. As a nationally recognized ovarian cancer organization, HERA provides funding for cutting-edge research grants to scientists at respected medical institutions. In so doing, HERA attracts more young researchers to expand the scientific understanding of ovarian cancer while improving the lives of those battling the disease. In addition, HERA awards grants to local community groups to raise awareness about the disease in novel and unusual ways. More information is available at www.herafoundation.org.

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Our first Meet the Media post of 2012 features Ryan Budnick, content producer for Denver’s ABC affiliate, KMGH-TV. Ryan wears many hats for 7 News, and shares his take on the ever-changing TV news landscape, what’s newsworthy and PR pet peeves. When he’s not working (which isn’t often), Ryan is most likely mountain biking, rock climbing or enjoying the outdoors with his pup, Lucy.

Xstatic PR: You began your career in newspaper. What path did you take to now being content producer for KMGH-TV in Denver?
Ryan Budnick:  It purely was by accident. I was a newspaper reporter when I left Washington State (University) and moved to Denver. I started working at Channel 2 as an assignment editor, and have had various titles and duties over the years.

Traditional roles in a newsroom are becoming more nebulous. We are expected to perform various tasks including assigning crews, writing stories, picking up a camera and shooting and editing a story, or doing research and producing a segment. And, that can all be in the same day.

X:  So, clearly, in your role, you don’t just sit behind a desk all day and take calls. What are all the ways you gather stories?
RB:  When I began in journalism, it was the nascent days of the Internet. Hardly anybody had wireless phones and social media wasn’t even an idea yet. So much has changed.

Things I didn’t even use three years ago like social media feeds and deep Internet searches are important staples of how I dig for stories. But, that isn’t to say the new ways are better. I get more reliable information from connections I’ve cultivated the old-fashioned way, by work, time and trust.

X:  What are the biggest changes in TV news over the last several years?
RB:  I think the biggest change is that it really isn’t TV news any longer. TV is just one of several formats KMGH uses to disseminate its product.

Many outlets break news on social media now, something unheard of just a couple of years ago. I think you’re seeing the change of how newsrooms are adapting to a new form of journalism driven by the reader or viewer. Content is key and people are given many, many ways to access content and pick and choose what they consume.

X:  What has been the most memorable news story you’ve ever been involved in covering?
RB:  It’s funny, but after 15 years in journalism, a lot of them begin to blend together. As a journalist, the stories that left the biggest impressions are those with people overcoming the odds. I think being around people like that has made me want to be a better person, even in the role of impartial journalist.

X: In Channel 7’s eyes, what is news? 
RB:  Something that is unique, hard-hitting and gets answers to the tough questions. That is the tenor our newsroom has adopted for quite some time now. There is a large emphasis on investigative pieces.

X:  You’ve said when you take a couple days off, you often come back to more than 1,300 emails. Which pitches get your attention?
RB:  You should think of the subject line as a headline with the goal of drawing the reader in. Given the amount of traffic you are contending with, that can be one of the biggest determining factors to whether your pitch even gets read. Also a strong working relationship with a journalist goes a long way. If I have had a good experience with a PR person in the past, I will read their emails right away.

X:  What’s your biggest PR pet peeve?
RB:  Not coming prepared. That covers a lot of ground, but when reps don’t know the basics, such as how many news broadcasts we have and when they run, or how often a paper gets published and when, you’ve ruined your initial impression with that journalist or newsroom.

X:  What do you wish more PR people knew about TV news and how the newsroom works?
RB:  I find the most successful PR people have spent some time in journalism, either as a professional or as an intern. Newsrooms are microcosms onto themselves. Each one is different, but we all basically follow the same parameters. If a PR person wants to really be efficient, find out when the newsroom meetings are held during the day. Information like that can be a very powerful tool in the right hands.

X:  You’re a big outdoorsman. What’s on the agenda this spring/summer?
RB:  Hoping to get in more mountain biking and rock climbing than in the past few years. Other than that, staying injury free and collecting as many memories of great outings and sunsets as possible.

-Stacey Sepp

 “A strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.”

The definition is concise, solid and probably the closest we’re going to get to defining something so comprehensive, multi-faceted and ever changing. But, as one colleague stated, “I’m still not sure it’s going to help my family understand what I do.” Exactly.

The definition doesn’t address how the process of PR builds relationships. It doesn’t get into the strategies and tactics of our profession – things like media relations, expert positioning, social media and so on. But, how could it? Every campaign is different, based on each client’s individual needs, goals and resources.

So, to help people better understand what PR is, I’m going to share five things it’s not:

• Spin Doctoring – As an ethical PR pro, it is my job to communicate straightforward facts about my clients. (See previous blog post, “In PR, ‘Spin’ Is a Four-Letter Word.”) Under the PRSA Code of Ethics, we are responsible for “protecting and advancing the free flow of truthful and accurate information.” We don’t lie, hide information so our clients look better, and we don’t spin.

• Advertising – Generally, PR pros don’t create or place paid advertisements. Instead, we work to gain objective, unpaid editorial coverage, which is more credible and difficult to secure.

• Publicity – I don’t represent Lindsay Lohan or Kim Kardashian.  I’m not the person who tells the media they are exhausted when they’ve been on a bender, set up cutesy photo opps with The Biebs or stage wardrobe malfunctions at just the right time. I don’t believe that all press is good press and I’d have an absolute heart attack if my client ever ended up on TMZ.

• Press Release Pushing – On several occasions, I’ve heard people use the term “PR” for press release (i.e. We’d like to issue a PR for this). PR is short for public relations NOT for press release. Yes, we write press releases as a media relations tactic and media relations is a component of public relations. But, it is not all we do as public relations professionals.

• Party Planning – Samantha Jones did us no favors in this department. Again, events can be part of what we do, but only when the event helps achieve an overarching communications goal. While the profession involves connecting people, we by no means spend our time planning socialite parties in the Hamptons or toasting with the Absolut Hunk. But, we can dream.

 -Stacey Sepp

Tip 1 – Never batter the batter. Batter should only be mixed enough to moisten the dry ingredients, then stop – even if you have lumps. Flour contains gluten – a gluey-like substance that activates when it gets wet and mixed. If over-mixed, it becomes tough and rubbery.

Tip 2 – Lay it on thin. Thinner batter gives the pancake a lighter texture, while thicker batter makes it more dense and heavy.

Tip 3 – What’s in it for me? Stir-ins are a fun surprise. Try blueberries, bananas, cinnamon and vanilla, chocolate chips, or even sausage or bacon.

Tip 4 – Wait ‘til I say “Go!” Be patient and let the griddle heat up for about five minutes. Too cool and your pancakes will turn out tough from cooking too long. Too hot and you’ll end up with doughy centers. A few drops of water should dance around the griddle – 375 degrees is about right.

Tip 5 – Got rhythm? To look like a pro and make consistently shaped flapjacks, use a 1/3 or 1/4 measuring cup for each pancake.

Tip 6 – Don’t muddle your puddle. Make a small puddle of oil on the griddle and pour the batter directly into the middle. The oil will surround the edges and make them crispy and tasty.

Tip 7 – No double flipping! Flipping the pancake more than once causes a dry pancake. The key is flipping the pancake at the right time. Pancakes are ready to turn when the top is full of air holes and the sides start looking a bit dry.

Tip 8 – Don’t flatten the flippin’ flapjack! This is the cardinal sin of flapjack flipping! A big misconception is that smashing the flapjack will help it cook faster. Not true. The hot air inside helps it cook better. Smashing it merely pushes the air out and undoes all of the work you did to create a perfectly light and fluffy pancake.

Tip 9 – Some like it hot! Actually, everyone does. If you are cooking for a large group and can’t serve them hot off the griddle, the best way to keep pancakes warm is to place them, single-layered, on a cookie sheet in a warm oven.

Tip 10 – Don’t short the stack. Never skimp on the toppings. Real butter, pure maple syrup, fresh berries, apple sauce, peanut butter, bananas, or all of the above.

Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix, available nationwide, is the signature product of Baker Mills, a family-owned company based in Salt Lake City. Baker Mills is committed to using only 100 percent whole grains and all-natural ingredients in all of its products. Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix was named among the “10 Foods that Rocked Our Tastebuds” by WeightWatchers.com and featured in Bon Appetit and Healthy Cooking. For more information or where to buy, visit www.kodiakcakes.com.

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Baker Mills, a family-owned company based in Salt Lake City, makes all-natural food products under the Kodiak Cakes brand name. The company prides itself on using high-quality, wholesome ingredients, ensuring its products taste better than those made with unhealthy, refined ingredients. Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix, Baker Mills’ first product, is now sold in more than 3,500 stores nationwide, including King Soopers, Safeway, Super Target and Whole Foods stores across the Denver metro area.

Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix was named among the “10 Foods that Rocked Our Tastebuds” by WeightWatchers.com and was featured in Bon Appetit and Healthy Cooking magazines. The Kodiak Cakes brand also includes all-natural Big Bear Brownies mix, Bear Country Cookies mix and Kodiak Berry syrups. For more information, visit Kodiak Cakes at www.kodiakcakes.com.

About Xstatic Public Relations

Xstatic Public Relations is a PR consultancy that thrives on creativity, innovation and extraordinary thinking. Based in Denver, Xstatic is led by Principal Stacey Sepp and represents organizations ranging from regional nonprofits to national corporations. The firm is recognized industry-wide for its award-winning campaigns by organizations including the Public Relations Society of America and the National Federation of Press Women. To learn more about Xstatic Public Relations, visit www.xstaticpr.com or join us at www.facebook.com/xstaticpr, or www.twitter.com/xstaticpr.

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