A father talks about his experience in the NICU and receiving the support of Love for Lily as his wife and Love for Lily founder look on.

Sharing is caring!

Home » Blog » Events » Love for Lily Benefit: Boots & Bling 2023

Sold Out!

Hundreds of supporters dusted off their best boots, glammed it up, and hoofed it downtown to The Ritz-Carlton Denver for the 2023 Boots & Bling Benefit.

This annual event is held by the Love for Lily organization which supports families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to thrive during their stay and at home. Love for Lily also offers support groups, teaches coping skills, provides community, and finds grants for families to obtain therapies. They do all of this in addition to giving generous essentials bags to families in the NICU to help provide comfort when it counts.

Community

One of the overarching feelings at Boots and Bling is a sense of community. It radiates throughout the Love for Lily organization, its supporters, and its team of volunteers. Even for those who have never been to a NICU or know someone who has been through the rollercoaster of having a baby there, the stories shared at Boots & Bling connected attendees with the experience. A wide range of emotions flowed throughout the evening from tears of sorrow to joyful recollections of how Love for Lily made a difference to a family in their NICU journey.

  • Two women take a selfie together at a charity event in downtown Denver.
  • The entrance to the ballroom displays a Love for Lily Logo on the projection screen.
  • Whiskey tasting at the Boots N Bling event 2023.
  • Close up of an embellished cowgirl boot.
  • A woman shares her poignant story at the podium during Boots N Bling.
  • A man, woman and their former NICU baby at Boots N Bling.
  • A couple dance together at Boots N Bling held at the Ritz Carlton in Denver.
  • The back side of a western style cowboy hat.
  • Two women take a selfie together at a charity event in downtown Denver.

The Program

The evening kicked off with an informative whiskey tasting presented by Atlas Valley Purveyors.

Throughout the event, guests bid on assorted treasures donated by the community in the silent auction. These ranged from art, wine, kitchen/home items, incredible trips, and memorable adventures. A ring toss, jewelry spin game, and a photo backdrop also added to the entertainment.

Following dinner, guests heard stories from families receiving the support of Love for Lily during their time in the NICU. Their words provided a tearful, yet joyful insight into the impact of Love for Lily in the community.

Special recognition was awarded to Ruth Evans who received the annual Lily Award for her outstanding work in the NICU.

After several rounds of competitive bidding, the evening concluded with guests celebrating by dancing to the rockin’ sounds of Skool Daze Rock. 

Photo Gallery

  • Tables ready for guests at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Denver.
  • Two women taste whiskey at the Boots and Bling event in Denver.
  • Close up of whiskey samples being poured into glasses at a tasting.
  • Two women at Boots and Bling give each other a hug.
  • Silent auction items at Boots and Bling.
  • Sponsors at Boots and Bling in front of a logo backdrop.
  • A woman claims a prize at the ring toss at the Boots and Bling event.
  • The Love for Lily team at the Boots and Bling 2023.
  • An auctioneer speaks into a microphone at a charity fundraiser.
  • Easels containing posters of items to bid on at the Boots and Bling event.
  • A man in a cowboy hat raises his bidding number during a charity auction fundraiser.
  • Four women on stage during the Boots and Bling 2023 event at the Ritz Carlton.
  • The Lily Award winner at the Boots and Bling 2023 event.
  • The 2022 and 2023 Lily Award Winners at Boots and Bling event in Denver held by Love for Lily
  • A heartfelt presentation by a mother who received assistance during her NICU stay from Love for Lily.
  • The auctioneer, in a jacket and boots, takes the microphone and starts the bidding at a charity fundraiser.
  • A wide view of people holding up their bidding numbers during a charity fundraiser.
  • A father talks about his experience in the NICU and receiving the support of Love for Lily as his wife and Love for Lily founder look on.
  • A woman in elegant attire raises her number at a charity auction to bid on an item.
  • Love for Lily supporter and grandmother of Lily with her husband in cowboy attire.
  • Members of Skool Daze Rock perform on stage at Boots N Bling.
  • Two women dance together at the Love for Lily event.
  • Skool Daze vocalist entertains the crowd.
  • A man and woman in Boots and Bling attire dance together.
  • A woman smiles broadly as her partner moves her across the dance floor at the Ritz Carlton.
  • A man and woman help auction bidders check out at the Boots and Bling event held in downtown Denver at the Ritz Carlton.
  • The founder of Love for Lily, and mother of Lily with her husband at the Boots and Bling fundraising event.

Vendors & Sponsors

Special recognition to the many volunteers, vendors, and sponsors for their support of this event.

To Donate

If you were unable to join in the Boots & Bling event and want to spread some love, make a donation at their website here.

Related Posts

Sharing is caring!

Photographer

Anne Stephenson is a Denver, Colorado photographer who captures honest, unscripted moments rooted in connection and story—reflecting who you truly are at weddings, mitzvahs, and beyond.

Similar Posts