Meet Rene – real estate broker, fabulous hostess and woman with a cause – Cocktails for a Cause to be specific.

Cocktails for a Cause was sparked when Rene’s talent for throwing a great party met an overwhelming desire to provide diapers for babies of low income mothers.

“I read an article about the health consequences for babies wearing dirty diapers because their mothers could not afford to purchase enough to keep their babies clean,” said Rene.  “And I was inspired to do something about it.”

So Rene did what she does best – she invited her friends over for a cocktail party… and asked them to bring diapers and wipes.   They did -- 4,450 diapers plus 2,500 wipes!  The “product” of this party benefited 116 babies through the Denver Health Foundation and just as important -- demonstrated the amazing power of women working together.

The mission of Cocktails for a Cause is pretty simple: 

Cocktails for a Cause empowers women
by providing resources and hope
to serve the needs of our local community. 

Most charitable organizations need monetary contributions so cash contributions are always encouraged!  But sometimes writing a check is not enough to inspire someone to give.  When you actually give a product – diapers, coats, etc. – the giver is making a connection to the persons in need.  To help make a connection to the charity, Cocktails for a Cause requires the charity to attend the event and give a short presentation about the organization.

Cocktails for a Cause is all about fun and friendship.  It’s about women creating a powerful network that can make amazing things happen – for them as well as women and children in need.

Cocktails for a Cause is a not-for-profit organization registered in the state of Colorado, as well as a 501(c)(3) IRS approved charity.  CFC is not affiliated with any of the charities that are its beneficiaries.


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As soon as Rene told me about her idea for Cocktails for a Cause, I said sign me up!  I loved the idea of working with different charities in the community, and love to see the power of women coming together to help others in need.  I’m always amazed at the extreme amount of generosity that we see, and how excited people are to help others and make an immediate impact.

Kathryn currently works in the Insurance & Financial Services industry and brings her administrative and financial skills to serve on the board of Cocktails for a Cause.

Laurie Brennan became inspired about Cocktails for a Cause while attending a class with the founder of CFC, Rene Harding, in 2009.  Rene passed out invitations to her upcoming event, and when Laurie discovered what Cocktails for a Cause was all about, she was hooked.  “The concept resonated with me immediately.  What could be more fun than women having the opportunity to shop (one of the things we do best), socialize with their friends (the other thing that we do very well), and help a local charity in need?”

Laurie loved the idea of helping local charities.  “There is so much support for the national charities.  They have big marketing dollars and big corporate sponsorships and full time staff, and that is wonderful.  We have a different niche - primarily Denver and Douglas County…where we can have a real impact.”  She was also taken with the concept of providing needed items to the charities instead of money.  Laurie recognized the value in being able to assure contributors that their donation goes directly and completely to the sponsored charity, typically the very next day after the event.

Laurie is a Real Estate Broker specializing in Douglas County, she is honored to be on the board of Cocktails for a Cause and is excited about the potential that this organization has to make an impact on charities in Denver and Douglas County.

Lorrie Webb Grillo joins the board of Cocktails For A Cause Colorado with the purpose of bringing more attention – and donations -- to the amazing work that Rene has started.   Currently and for the past eight years, Lorrie has served as the Vice President of Marketing for Perry & Co. Realtors but her background includes corporate communications for a cable television start-up, director of public relations for the Denver Art Museum as well as the co-owner of her own public relations and advertising firm.  “How marketers reach their audiences has changed over the years, but the basics remain the same – making sure your message gets across in a way that touches people and creates change – whether it’s buying a product or service or, as Margaret Mead said: changing the world.”   Lorrie also appreciates how the Cocktails for a Cause events bring local charities and donors together in an informal and fun way.  Her goal is to build awareness, and she hopes -- if you’re reading this – you’ll be compelled to join us at our next event.  She looks forward to meeting you! 

In addition to her work with Rene at Perry & Co. Realtors and Cocktails For A Cause Colorado, Lorrie is a Certified Practitioner of Essential Feng Shui™ and President of Thriving Spaces Feng Shui in Denver, Colorado. 

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead