Aspen Hope Center Lights Up the Night

Light Up the Night, Aspen Hope Center’s Third Annual Signature Gala, was hosted at Rick and Donna Gardner’s Woody Creek Ranch on the banks of the Roaring Fork River.

The evening began with Flor de Caña rum specialty cocktails served in the shade of enormous cottonwood trees swaying in the soft breeze.

After a touching video about the Aspen Hope Center’s mission and progress in the Roaring Fork Valley, Executive Director Sandy Iglehart passed the torch to the new executive director, Erin Mitchell. Iglehart received the Aspen Hope Award for her work as founder and board chair for the past 14 years. She is passing along her role as board chair to Lady Fuller, but will remain a board member.

The evening included dinner and presentations from Aspen Hope Center staff under a clear tent with sparkling lights, followed by dancing. The calm and serene setting brought the Aspen Hope Center’s message of hope and resilience to light.

Aspen Hope Center supporters Steven and Kiki Esrick of the Steve & Kiki Esrick Dream Foundation, Blanca and Cavanaugh O’Leary, Melony and Adam Lewis, Sheriff Michael Buglione and Holly Buglione, and John and Jan Sarpa were also in attendance. 

The Aspen Hope Center is entering its 15th year in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, and this transition in leadership marks a new chapter.   

_DSC8356 Large _DSC8358 Large _DSC8363 Large _DSC8382 Large _DSC8342 Large _DSC8386 Large _DSC8388 Large _DSC8392 Large _DSC8396 Large _DSC8402 Large _DSC8436 Large _DSC8440 Large _DSC8459 Large _DSC8463 Large _DSC8468 Large _DSC8472 Large _DSC8474 Large _DSC8479 Large _DSC8481 Large _DSC8482 Large _DSC8487 Large _DSC8499 Large _DSC8503 Large _DSC8511 Large _DSC8517 Large _DSC8520 Large _DSC8522 Large _DSC8525 Large _DSC8537 Large _DSC8545 Large _DSC8546 Large _DSC8568 Large _DSC8594 Large _DSC8606 Large _DSC8622 Large _RS24849 Large _RS24999 Large _RS25027 Large _RS25066 Large _RS25080 Large _RS25129 Large

Photography by Riccardo Savi