Pages

Monday, May 30, 2011

Buffalohair, The ARC of the Pikes Peak Region Annual Dinner: Entering the Star Gate

The ARC of the Pikes Peak Region Annual Dinner: Entering the Star Gate

On May 21st The ARC of the Pikes Peak Region held and annual dinner and awards ceremony at the palatial Crowne Plaza Hotel. For those of you not aware of The ARC, it is an advocacy group dedicated to serving developmentally and intellectually challenged people of all age groups. They provide education and opportunities to people who would normally fall through the cracks in society. In any event I was there to do follow up interviews pertaining to the Joe Arridy story, an intellectually challenged person who was wrongfully executed many years ago. But what I discovered at the banquet was truly out of this world.

I’ve covered many stories from around the world and have grown quite cynical since humanity for the most part has been displaced by the concerns of material consequence. Fortunately this was not the case in Colorado Springs, Colorado on this hallowed night. Personally it was more like entering the proverbial Star Gate and being whisked away to a different universe inhabited by truly benevolent beings. The banquet was superb with the grace and elegance of a truly royal gathering. There was entertainment provided by Phil Taylor and the Bottom Line that added the perfect touch to this gala event. The meal was excellent and earned a 5 star rating from a culinary point of view.

Executive director Teddi Roberts gave a riveting speech along with other wonderfully talented people of this organization. World renowned Philanthropist and humanitarian Robert Perske and Terri Roberts awarded Denver Attorney David Martinez the first ever Robert Perske Justice for All Award for his invaluable efforts in garnering a pardon for Joe Arridy (Photo). Governor Bill Ritter sent a personal video message to ARC and honored the descendants of attorney Gail Ireland, the attorney who fought in vain to save the life of Joe Arridy. The event was not centered on Joe Arridy though but a multitude of accomplishments this truly noble organization, its members and donors were involved in over the last year. But what stole the show for me was the honors given to the beautiful people The ARC were dedicated to.

The smiles of joy these wonderful human beings gave as they received their awards were ever so endearing. I found it hard to hold back the tears as they gleamed with pride for they truly faced down and conquered their disabilities to become an integral part of society. In a world that has become deaf to the cries of the innocent it was refreshing earnest and selflessness. If only I could take them back through the Star Gate to the world from which I reside. They could teach our primitive life forms the lessons of kindness and understanding, what a wonderful planet it could be. But alas, this is only science to be among true champions of humanity on this stellar night. I was surely on another galaxy where people cared for one another in fiction for the planet I live does not comprehend nor is capable of understanding the axiom of love and compassion. Besides, I would not want to run the risk of contaminating something as pure and beautiful as The ARC and all their inhabitance.

Your Devil’s Advocate
Buffalohair
Related articles
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)