Denver-area construction-industry leaders came together May 13, for the fourth annual Déjà vu Rendezvous, an event to benefit the Assistive Technology Partners (ATP) program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. ATP's mission is for persons with cognitive, sensory, and/or physical disabilities to reach their highest potential at home, school, work and play through the addition of appropriate assistive technologies to their lives. Some 654 attendees at Denver's Mile High Station showed their support for ATP program's pioneering work by raising $217,000.
The presenting sponsor was UMB Bank, and the event was chaired by GE Johnson vice president Mike Harms and hosted by 20 construction industry leaders. The group was brought together four years ago by retired Trautman & Shreve CEO Bill Caile, who was inspired by ATP's impact on the lives of children and adults with significant disabilities. The annual event has raised nearly $700,000 to date.
"Assistive Technology Partners supports people with disabilities through innovative technologies and services. ATP provides clinical services, education, professional development, and research and outreach," said Cathy Bodine, executive director of ATP. "Since its founding, ATP has impacted nearly 600,000 people worldwide through technology that assists in learning, speaking, and mobility. We are so grateful to the local construction companies and our generous sponsors for choosing ATP to benefit from such a wonderful annual event."
Funds will be used to support persons with disabilities, their families and others who are unable to afford services.
ATP was established in 1989 under a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Today, ATP is a program of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
"This event was first envisioned as a way to unite past and current members of the Colorado construction community annually and celebrate the fantastic industry and relationships we have all established," Harms said. "It has grown beyond our wildest imaginations and we will continue to set our sights higher. The ultimate reward is that we are raising money for such a great cause."
Déjà vu Rendezvous had more than 100 event sponsors. Build sponsors ($5,000) included:
- CFM Company
- Encore Electric
- Engineered Mechanical Systems
- GE Johnson Construction
- Haselden Construction
- Hensel Phelps Construction
- HITT Contracting
- Ludvik Electric Co.
- Mortenson Construction
- PCL Construction Services
- RK Mechanical
- Saunders Construction
- Surescape Insurance Services
- Trautman & Shreve
- Wholesale Specialties
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