ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
MAKE A DATE WITH EIGHT, HELP DENVER'S HOMELESS, BY DAHLIA JEAN WEINSTEIN

It is estimated that Denver residents gave $4.6 million to the city's panhandlers last year. New Genesis, a transitional community for the homeless, is asking for you to give just $46.

That's the price of a ticket to the inaugural Eight is Enough Date Auction, featuring four beautiful bachelorettes and four handsome bachelors to be auctioned between 6 and 10 p.m. Oct. 6 at Mile High Station.

Founded in 1986, New Genesis provides a stable environment and outlines objectives for its residents, who are expected to remain substance-free and hold full-time jobs. New Genesis has helped the homeless for nearly 20 years, but most of the 75 patrons at a recent kickoff party for the benefit were learning about it for the first time.

Among the guests familiar with New Genesis, which originally served men only but expanded to include women, were founder and Executive Director, Page Peary and his wife Susan and board members and supporters such as Mike Meyrick, Geoff Morris, Ray LaLone, and Rick Johnson. New patrons included Scott Coors and Dr. Dave Hurt, who co-hosted the kickoff party at their 8,670 square foot Lookout Mountain abode, with its spectacular Denver views.

Coors and Hurt will co-chair the Oct. 6 auction with fellow new New Genesis supporters Donna Crafton, Bradley Joseph, Andrea and Phil Gray, Holly and Rich Kylberg and Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness.

Vic Lombardi and Patricia Lopez from media sponsor CBS 4 will emcee the fete, planned by committee members including ticket co-chairmen Dan Brown and Brent Schneider, founders of sponsor Spire Financial; corporate chairwoman Kasia Iwaniczko, Quest Communications; and committee leaders Jordan Bullock and Peter Tenfjord.

A couple of the bachelors and one bachelorette up for auction were at the fete, too. Billy Seiber, Benjamin King, and Ashley Mcghee were sizing up their potential big bidders.

The date packages include VIP Denver Nuggets tickets, a private dinner for two in the D&F Tower downtown and a fly away dream date, courtesy of Frontier Airlines and W Hotels.

Another sponsor, Murray Motors, is donating one BMW and one Merceded to "raffle"off for $10 a chance. Each winner gets a two year lease. To get one car, the winner must throw a Frisbee through the front windows. The other car will be filled with colorful Crocs, and the winner has to guess the number of shoes.

Shelli Nelligan created the beautiful floral accents at the kickoff party, and Baldoria Catering prepared the delicious fare. Sidney Frank Importing held a wine tasting, and a vodka bar was hosted by Svedka.

In addition to the single $46 tickets for the City Chic-themed affair, couples are $85, a VIP Love Seat package (four tickets with lounge seating) is $200 and guests under 30 are $25. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets to the Eight is Enough Auction include a complimentary bar and fare and entry to the after-party featuring a free house martini at 5 Degrees in LoDo.

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