"Where single parents write their own success stories"

NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell Keynote Speaker at 2008 All-Star Breakfast

According to NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell, "Warren Village is the Boston Celtics of community service." Russell made this kind and admiring remark during the 2008 All-Star Breakfast at the Denver City Center Marriott Hotel downtown.

The wildly popular basketball star was the keynote speaker at the fundraiser that attracted over 650 attendees. Russell remembered the difficult time when his father made the gut-wrenching decision to raise him and his brother after the untimely passing of his mother. He was only twelve-years-old at the time. Years later, Russell would become a single father to his daughter who eventually became a Harvard Business School graduate.

The evening prior to the breakfast, Russell received a heartwarming tour of Warren Village, courtesy of resident LaShae Burris. "He watched and listened very carefully," said Burris. "When one young boy asked if he played basketball, Russell responded, 'Yes, very well.'"

Warren Village resident LaShae Burris received a standing ovation after her speech at the breakfast. Her mother was on-hand to hear her riveting story about survival and unconditional love. LaShae received the Friend's President Scholarship, an annual award that is given to one outstanding Warren Village resident.

The breakfast was organized and hosted by Friends of Warren Village. The Friends of Warren Village is an extraordinary group of women who serve as ambassadors through volunteerism and fundraising. At this year's breakfast, they awarded seven scholarships totaling $8,500 to LaShae Burris, Elizabeth Mollica, Kazuyo Miyagi, Marisela Gonzalez, Natalie Lyle, Angelina Ross and Anna Trujillo. Mr. Russell presented the women with their scholarship certificates during the All-star Breakfast.

Qwest Women were awarded the 2008 Chair Award for their outstanding commitment to Warren Village. Over 86 women have donated more than 700 volunteer hours to our programs during the past four years. Qwest Women, a member of the Qwest family of resource groups, is an assembly of Qwest employees - women and men - with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

"I am so impressed with the dedication and exceptional teamwork of the Friends of Warren Village," said president and CEO, Sue Mohrman. "They are the people directly responsible for this important event and we are extremely grateful for all they've done for us."

Members of the 2008 Friends of Warren Village 2008 All-Star Breakfast Committee are: Co-chairs Susan Jenkins and Debby Ross, Donna Herz, Beth Barbee, Jeannie Bennington, Joyce Brady, Glenda Calligan, Marilynn Carroll, Tina Conner, Lisa Corley, Kim Frantz, Sally Frerichs, Peggy Gibson, Jamie Gilmore, Kay Huemoeller, Kathryn Lester, Grace McCain, Denise McClard, Caroline McKinnon, Meredith Schmidt, Anna Siegel, Sue Webber, Joanne York, and Carol Zaitz.

Left to right: NBA legend Bill Russell with Friends of Warren Village President Donna Herz

Recipients of the Friends of Warren Village scholarships, left to right back row: LaShae Burris, Marisela Gonzalez, Anna Trujillo, Kazuyo Miyagi and Natalie Lyle. Not pictured: Angelina Ross and Elizabeth Mollica