Community Event | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photography by Michael Kleinfelt, Windermere Photography
Some evenings leave a mark on a community. The inaugural Boots & Salutes fundraising event, held Valentine’s night at The Pines at Windermere, was unquestionably one of those nights.
Nearly 200 guests packed the venue for a sold-out celebration of community, gratitude, and purpose, and the night delivered on every level.
A Mission Worth Celebrating
Boots & Salutes exists to support Wind River Ranch, one of the country’s oldest Christian family dude ranches, nestled in Estes, Colorado. Each summer, the ranch hosts Healing Warriors Week — retreats for military veterans, first responders, and their families. Participants enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and the kind of wide-open scenery that has a way of restoring the soul.
The funds raised that evening go directly toward sponsoring travel for local first responders and veterans to attend these transformative retreats. When you consider the immense pressures facing our military and first responder communities today, it is hard to imagine a more meaningful cause.
The Night the Pines Came Alive
If there was any doubt that a fundraising event could be genuinely, joyfully entertaining, Boots & Salutes put that doubt to rest for good.
Four extraordinary country artists took the stage: Mark Powell, David Lee, Daniel Johnson, and Tomara Conrad. But this was no ordinary concert. These talented musicians shared the stories behind their songs, the meaning embedded in their music. Grammy-nominated and multi-award-winning songwriter David Lee brought the room to its feet. Mark Powell led with the kind of warmth and authenticity that makes you feel like an old friend. Daniel Johnson and Tomara Conrad rounded out a night of music that was deeply personal and unforgettable.
John Fitzgibbon: The Auctioneer Who Made It Fun
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been to those fundraising auctions. The awkward silences. The painfully slow bidding. This was not that. Auctioneer John Fitzgibbon was entertaining, hilarious, and masterfully skilled at creating energy and excitement in the room, John turned the live auction into one of the most fun parts of the evening. Who knew the patriarch of our beloved Fitzgibbon family had a knack for auctioneering? Guests were laughing, bidding, and genuinely competing for remarkable items, including cabin getaways to Wind River Ranch, naming rights to a horse, and to forever claim a horse as your own, to name just a few. The auction didn’t just raise money; it brought neighbors together for a great cause.
Three of the Boots and Salutes Founders; John Fitzgibbon, Dave Ogden, and Joel Johnson.
Windermere’s Finest at the Heart of It
What makes Boots & Salutes truly special is the community it comes from. This event is led by some of Windermere’s most beloved families, who poured their hearts into every detail of the evening:
Boots & Salutes Committee: Shari & Joel Johnson | Shelly & Dave Ogden | Anna & Scott McIntyre | John & Cindy Fitzgibbon | Erin & Rod Rauch
These are neighbors, friends, and pillars of our community, and their dedication shone through in every element of a flawlessly executed night.
A special thank you to our very own Mike Kleinfelt, owner of Windermere Photography, who generously donated his time and extraordinary talent to capture the evening's memories.
Gratitude from the Heart
The committee shared these words following the event:
“We are full of gratefulness for the support of the community for our inaugural Boots and Salutes event. We know that the support impacts lives in our military veteran and first responder communities and families — and for that, we are very grateful.”
Everyone in the room felt that sentiment.
Highlights from The Boots & Salutes Inaugural Event
Photography by Michael Kleinfelt, Windermere Photography
