NATHAN YIP FOUNDATION

Greenwood Village

News: In the Year of the Wood Dragon, which begins Feb. 10, Chinese astrologers predict 12 months of innovation, partnerships, personal growth and career advancement. Thus, individuals are encouraged to embrace their passions, collaborate with others, focus on well-being and pursue goals with confidence.

All of which reflects the mission and purpose of the Nathan Yip Foundation, which Linda and Jimmy Yip established in 2002 as a living memorial to their only child, Nathan, who lost his life in an automobile accident in 2001. Initially, the foundation funded the building of school buildings, dormitories and cafeterias in rural areas of China, Mexico and Rwanda. It now focuses on empowering schools, students and teachers in rural areas of Colorado.

On Feb. 3, the foundation hosted its 22nd Chinese New Year Gala at the Grand Hyatt Denver. Co-chairs Lyn and Dr. Michael Schaffer, along with the Yips, board president Alan Frosh and emcee Anne Trujillo, welcomed the 450 who braved the elements to enjoy a festive evening filled with the sights, sounds and foods of China.

Frosh, the co-founder and managing director of Sector Law, joined the foundation board to honor his longstanding friendship with Nathan Yip. The two had met when they were 7 years old and remained close until Nathan’s passing. “I know how proud Nate would be to see the success this event, and the foundation, has had,” Frosh said.

Michael Schaffer had conducted clinics in the San Luis Valley and other rural areas of the state during his years as a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “My passion has always been keeping kids healthy,” he said, “and that’s something I’d like to continue, now that I’ve retired, with the Nathan Yip Foundation.”

Jill Henwood had taught in rural Colorado schools prior to joining the foundation as its executive director and using her expertise to identify needs in such locations as the Ute Mountain Ute community and small towns like Blanca, Bennett and Center.

“We’re making a real difference in rural Colorado,” Henwood said, adding that over the past seven years the foundation has awarded 121 grants totaling some $1.2 million. “We have reached more than 100 rural districts since 2016 and over 250 teachers in the last two years,” Henwood said. “And we’re just getting started!”

Melly Kinnard, vice president of the foundation board, was the gala’s presenting sponsor. Board member Jane Netzorg and her husband, Skip, were the cocktail hour sponsors and CoBank was the sponsor of the Red Envelope sales. In keeping with Chinese tradition, red envelopes filled with money are given to friends and family during Lunar New Year celebrations. For the Nathan Yip Foundation Gala, they’re part of the fundraising effort. Each is filled with a gift certificate worth at least $5; one contained the grand prize, a pearl necklace.

The guests included Nathan Yip’s godparents, Kevin and Stephanie Tung; Doris Burd, who had served as a Denver County Court Judge from 1989-2017; Jon Olafson, who in October was appointed a judge in the 2nd Judicial District; Greg Carpenter, Opera Colorado’s general and artistic director; Faye Tate, vice president of diversity and inclusion at CoBank; Melissa Kucera, the bank’s vice president of human resources; and Cynthia and Dr. Larry Chan.

Net proceeds were still being totaled at press time, but the paddle raise alone brought in $112,000.

Website: nathanyipfoundation.org

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