The 34th Annual Weld Legacy Foundation Gala, Wicked Affair, presented by Chevron, was held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Greeley at Lincoln Park. With 400 guests in attendance at the sold-out event, over $300,000 net proceeds were raised for Bright Futures. The program is for qualifying Weld County residents who have graduated from high school, obtained a GED, or honorably discharged U.S. Veterans. Recipients receive financial assistance to attend college, trade school or career training within Colorado and its surrounding states. Since Bright Futures’ inception, they have served over 5,875 students and invested over $21 million toward building a better trained and skilled workforce.
Each year the Weld Legacy Foundation honors an outstanding individual, organization, or family for distinguished service and leadership in healthcare and education in our community. It was a privilege to honor the 2023 Legacy Award recipient, Scott Ehrlich, as one of the visionary residents who formed the Achieving Community Excellence Program (ACE) to support Greeley/Evans School District 6 in the implementation of their work-based learning programming known as Career Pathways. With the financial assistance of the Weld County Commissioners, Bright Futures was established.
As guests dared to enter, they were met by a headless horseman and transported through a haunted forest. The spooktacular evening included boos brews cocktails, wine, a gourmet dinner, desserts, and sweet and salty snacks. One of the most respected sports personalities in the country and 32-time Emmy award winner, Vic Lombardi, emceed this year’s event. Fundraising activities included a paddle raise in which Pivot Energy matched up to $85,000 in donations, a whiskey and wine pull, and seven Howl at the Moon packages. There was dancing and eerie entertainment complete with a Thriller flash mob, just-for-fun gaming tables, and one lucky guest won a Tahitian pearl strand donated by Weiss Jewelers valued at $5,200.
Weld Legacy Foundation’s last Gala was in January 2022. The Gala has been moved to a new time of year with a new venue, as well as an expanded fundraising focus to include education. A fun time was had by all with a black-tie Halloween theme to raise money for Bright Futures which helps students achieve their educational and career goals.
To learn more about Bright Futures, visit brightfuturesco.com.