Veterans Day Breakfast 2011

Veterans Day Breakfast 2011

How many VIPS does it take to make a special event a success? If you’re thinking in large numbers, then you’re also thinking of Veterans Green Jobs’ 2nd annual Veterans Day Breakfast. We were proud that this year’s benefit was highlighted by the presence of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver Deputy Mayor Cary Kennedy, Denver FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Jim Yacone and many more elected officials, active service members and veterans from all eras. Their participation was a testament to the fact that in today’s climate of high veteran unemployment, Americans agree that addressing this issue as a community is a number one priority.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper speaks at the 2nd annual Veterans Day Breakfast, 2011.

More than 260 guests attended our largest fundraiser of the year, featuring military honorees, veterans and active servicemen and women, politicians, local luminaries, and event sponsors.

We were privileged to welcome our keynote speaker, James F. Yacone, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for Colorado and Wyoming. Yacone spoke of the many sacrifices our servicemen and women make every day, and of the common experiences they share in making our communities stronger.

On behalf of the Mayor of the City of Denver, Deputy Mayor Cary Kennedy presented our Board Chairman with a proclamation that named November 11, 2011, “Veterans Green Jobs Day.” And Governor Hickenlooper graciously spoke on behalf of all veterans when he addressed the need for business owners, government entities, nonprofits and individuals to work together to provide good employment opportunities for veterans. “We have to come together as a community to make sure our veterans get what they deserve: jobs to protect our environment and jobs that promote energy efficiency. Who better do to this work than veterans?” he asked.
 
Recognizing Our Founding Sponsor – Walmart

This year’s benefit provided the perfect venue for announcing a very special gift to Veterans Green Jobs from our founding sponsor, Walmart — a $750,000 grant to help more veterans reach for employment opportunities in the green economy. Josh Phair of Walmart accepted our award recognizing Walmart as a key ingredient to Veterans Green Jobs success. Phair took the podium and told our guests, “We don’t often give such a large grant to an organization that is so young, and we certainly don’t often do it twice. We’re very proud and privileged to enjoy this partnership with VGJ.” We are deeply indebted to Walmart for its continued commitment to putting veterans back to work!

A special thanks goes to our event sponsors, including Walmart, Comfort Air Distributing, R-factor, Summit Utilities, Inc., Tendril, Weston Solutions, Inc., Eagle Rock Supply Co., People* Leadership* Process* Solutions, Inc., and The Learning Source. For a complete list of sponsors please see below. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support of our country’s servicemen and women!

View event photos on Google and on Blacktie Colorado.

Event Sponsors:

CORPS SUPPORT SPONSOR
Walmart

THREE STAR SPONSORS
Comfort Air Distributing
R-factor
Summit Utilities, Inc.

TWO STAR SPONSORS
Tendril
Weston Solutions, Inc.

ONE STAR SPONSORS
Eagle Rock Supply Co.
People* Leadership* Process* Solutions, Inc.
The Learning Source

ESPRIT DE CORPS SPONSORS
Christian Tour of Africa
Diversified Energy Services
Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.
Denver Money Manager
Dr. William W. Doe III and Dr. Sue Doe
Friends of Veterans Green Jobs
Go Green Warehouse
Marine Corps League, Frank J. Carroll Detachment
Monroe Infrared Technologies
Montgomery Insulation
O’Meara Ford
Dr. Mit Parsons
R9 Weatherization (Two tables)
Bob & Jo Schantz
Gail and Alan Schwartz