New Shoes from Share the Spirit

Fine Dining with Chef Bond’s Creations

Several hundred youngsters from around Prowers County and southeast Colorado will be getting new shoes, beginning October 24, thanks to the Share and Spirit, Sip and Savor event held at Amache Studios at Prowers Ranch this past October 11.

Ready for Mardi Gras

Twenty local sponsors and assorted volunteers helped create some culinary magic, New Orleans style, when chef Richard Bond, owner of the Mardi Gras School of Cooking, served samples of Cajun recipes to persons who attended the event. The cost of the evening was $75 per person, which covered cocktails and the food tasting.  Volunteers from the Lamar Community College softball team served samples of blackened prime rib, crawfish etouffee, roasted corn manqué choux and chocolate bread putting.

Enjoying the Festivities

Additional funds were raised with a live and silent action which featured some upscale offerings such as a seven day stay at a cottage in Pyrenees France, tickets to the world’s largest Ferris wheel in Las Vegas, an acoustic guitar autographed by the Zac Brown Band and a crystal chandelier. Residents who wanted to expand their cooking skills paid to attend a cooking class with Chef Bond on October 10 at Jeff and Kelli Vap’s house.

Karen Voepel with Friends

The Share the Spirit Foundation was created by Karen Voepel and her sister-in-law, Tonya. Together, they have initiated numerous fund-raising projects which has raised thousands of dollars for children in need across the country.  The shoes for kids program has been running for several years in Prowers County and J & N Shoes, downtown Lamar, will be the host site for the give-away on Friday, October 24.  Students from the HOPE Center, the migrant center and Baca County will be able to select brand new shoes with the help of volunteers who will be at the store through the day.  Holly, McClave Wiley and Granada students will also share in the donations.  Recently, the Lamar City Council approved the donation of a former bookmobile from the library to help carry the shoes to the children at out-lying areas.  Contact Karen Voepel at 719-688-8000 for additional information about Share the Spirit Foundation.

By Russ Baldwin