Mountain Mayhem:  Ascendigo Blue Aspen – in living color

Ascendigo Autism Services hosted its annual gala on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Hotel Jerome.

Founded in 2004 by Sallie Bernard and her husband, Tom, Ascendigo has remained true to its mission to support Roaring Fork Valley individuals with autism and their families and loved ones. Over the past 21 years, Ascendigo has helped integrate people with autism into community life recreationally and socially, whether through adventure sports, development of life skills, compatible employment, or community engagement.

For the event this year, the façade of the building was awash in blue, a color commonly associated with autism awareness, while inside, the Antler Bar and Ballroom were filled with bright décor to represent this year’s event theme of color, celebrating all colors of the spectrum. Guests walked through a tunnel of multihued streamers to enter the event, which set the tone for an upbeat, encouraging environment to raise funds for the Carbondale-based nonprofit.

The evening was underwritten by the Olitsky Family Foundation and began with a cocktail reception, silent auction, and live music, followed by dinner, a live auction, a keynote presentation, and dancing.

Invited to be the featured guest speaker was Dr. Temple Grandin, a world-renowned author speaker and autism advocate. Though Grandin was unable to attend in person due to travel circumstances, she literally lit up the room with a virtual presentation over the larger-than-life monitors on either side of the stage. Among the many points she covered, she spoke to the power of programs from organizations such as Ascendigo and the progress that can be made from being non-verbal to becoming communicative.

Ascendigo annually serves more than 225 individuals with autism, and all proceeds from the benefit will support the impactful programs that truly make a difference. Learn more by visiting ascendigo.org.