Dean Jones, best known for his comedic efforts for Disney including starring in such favorites as
The Love Bug and
That Darn Cat, entertained nearly 450 guests at Christian Living Communities 16 th Annual Earthen Vessel Dinner on Oct. 8. The dinner raised more than $75,000 for the not-for-profit senior care provider's campaign,
Finishing TOUCHES at Clermont Park which supports the re-development that is under way at the organization's first community located in southeast Denver.
Jones recounted a few stories from his Hollywood days telling the audience he had no intention of acting initially but was interested in a singing career when he landed his first acting job. Jones went on to star in more than 40 films, five Broadway shows and spent more than 20 years in television. He also told of his family and growing up in Alabama. But a great deal of his speech dwelt on his turn to Christianity after spending much of his early life as a non believer. He ended with a stirring, dramatic presentation of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death."
The evening culminated with the presentation of the 16 th Earthen Vessel Award to
Duane Sjaardema, a Denver resident and long-time volunteer for Christian Living Communities where he has served on the Board of Directors and continually helps at The Village as a faithful driver and trip companion.
Russ Den Braber, President and CEO of Christian Living Communities, and
Ed Schans, Board Chair, made the presentation. Several of Duane's children and grandchildren along with his wife, Vi, joined him for the evening.
Christian Living Communities is a not-for-profit senior care provider. The Colorado organization began in 1972, and currently serves nearly 1,000 people in the south metro Denver area on a daily basis through its residential communities and services. For more information, visit
www.christianlivingcommunities.org. .