COSF’s 3rd Annual Aspen Snow Ball Brought Out Winter Glamour, With $3.5 Million Raised
Fashion week may have some competition. Not only has Aspen become the new runway for winter street style from the likes of everyone from Bella Hadid to Hailey Bieber in recent years, but the Children’s Oncology Support Fund’s (COSF) Annual Aspen Snow Ball—now on its third year and graduating from a single night celebration to a week-long event—has shaped up to become an equally glamorous affair drawing even more celebrities into the city, and offering an excuse to trade ski suits and goggles for ball gowns.
Founded by film producer Thomas Pierce, COSF is a fund aimed at championing less toxic therapy practices for pediatric cancer patients, financially supporting alternative research, development, and programs, and partnering directly with hospitals and non-profits that value the same mission. Its now annual Snow Ball, this year, served Children’s Hospital Colorado as its chosen beneficiary, raising, in a single evening, $3.5 million that will support the pediatric cancer center in fueling sustainability for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) Family Wellness Program, allowing for an increase in licensed social workers providing psychosocial support, as well licensed art and music therapists.
Commencing at the snow-topped St. Regis resort on Saturday evening as the final event of Snow Week (a benefit concert at the Shigeru Ban designed Aspen Museum featuring performances by Robin Thicke, Luke K., Chloe Jane, and Alexis Silva kicked off the gala the night before), attendees were in for an energetic night, hosted by Jay Leno. With the evening titled “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” the ballroom had been outfitted with romantic details such as blush pink, floral chandeliers, while petal-topped champagne glasses adorned the array of dinner tables. Dinner, served after cocktails while guests of the gala swooned over a choreographed performance by Dance Aspen, was fillet mignon and salmon over risotto, followed by a chocolate mousse bomb.
Two awards were presented over the course of the evening, with Brooke Burke presenting Christie Brinkley with the honor of the Philanthropic Impact Achievement Award, while the Community Leadership Award, announced by Carly and Scott Webber, was presented in memory of Rollie Jordan.
The night’s partygoers—among them, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Nolan Funk, Hunter Doohan, Jackie Cruz, Thomas Dekker, James Packer, Michael Orcutt, Julian Polak, and Renèe Blythewood came ready to give and eagerly participated in the auction that included coveted luxuries such as a light sculpture donated by artist Anthony James that sold for $150,000. Mid-auction, Jay Leno unexpectedly re-approached the stage to offer personal tours of his famous Los Angeles car garage, opening the opportunity initially to four to five bidders at $10,000 each but accepted all bids when thirteen people opted in instead.
The COSF knows a thing or two about closing a party (and then keeping it going), as the auction was followed up by a surprise performance from Parson James before a near-concert length show by Zara Larsson and later, a DJ set by the beloved Mia Moretti. The party was on, yet still a shuttle arrived for guests who wanted to keep the evening going, and they all headed over for a nightcap at Zig Zag.
Nina Fernandez/BFA.com1/15Julian Polak, Ulla Parker
Nina Fernandez/BFA.com2/15Scott Rigby, Brooke Burke Charvet, Thomas Pierce