News Release
January 18, 2007
NBA Legend Bob Lanier In Town To Commemorate MLK Day With Over 1600 DPS Students
YMCA, DPS And Kroenke Sports Partner To Keep The Dream Alive
NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier made a special trip to Denver to commemorate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lanier joined over 1600 Denver Public School (DPS) fifth graders on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 to celebrate the life of Dr. King.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, DPS and Kroenke Sports Enterprises hosted the Second Annual YMCA Kids MLK Celebration - Keeping the Dream Alive. The event educated, inspired and entertained over 1600 fifth graders. The YMCA, DPS and Kroenke Sports collaborated to develop curriculum, facilitate an essay and art contest - all focused on helping students understand and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.
The event hosted at the Paramount Theatre included performing groups from Denver School of the Arts, Montbello High School and North High School. Lanier served as the keynote speaker and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien welcomed the students. Superintendent Michael Bennet and Happy Haynes recognized and presented prizes to three essay contest winners and three art contest winners.
This event was sponsored by numerous corporate sponsors. Without their financial support, the event would not have occurred. The following companies sponsored the 2007 YMCA Kids MLK Celebration:
Gold Sponsors:
- Pepsi Bottling Company
- PCL Construction Services
Essay & Art Contest Sponsor:
- FirstBank of Colorado
Book Sponsor:
- Ireland, Stapleton, Pryor & Pascoe, P.C.
Lunch Sponsor:
- Rothgerber, Johnson & Lyons, LLP
School Sponsors:
- Community Learning Centers
- Forest City Stapleton, Inc.
- Frontier Airlines
- George K. Baum & Company
- Patton Boggs, LLP
- Pendleton, Friedberg, Wilson & Hennessey, P.C.
- Quiznos
"Thanks to the YMCA and Kroenke Sports for organizing this meaningful, learning opportunity for students about the legacy of Dr. King," said DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet. "The curriculum, essays and art projects have engaged fifth graders across the district and no doubt will have a lasting impact on their understanding of this great American."
The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver has served the Denver community since 1875, offering programs and services to individuals and families regardless of age, gender, race, religion, national origin or financial ability. It is the YMCA's vision that the people in the communities it serves, turn to the YMCA as their provider of choice for the programs and services it offers. The YMCA is the largest youth and family agency in the metro area.
For more information contact:
Laurie Porter
YMCA of Metropolitan Denver
720-524-2714
lporter@denverymca.org