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Actor Eduardo Verástegui to keynote pregnancy center gala
By Roxanne King
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Lighthouse Gala When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26
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He starred in the award-winning film “Bella,” and has become known for his pro-life efforts. Actor-producer Eduardo Verástegui, 37, is coming to Denver to keynote a gala to help launch The Lighthouse, a Catholic pregnancy center.
The benefit dinner, “A Beacon of Hope,” is set for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Wildlife Experience in Parker. The event starts with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by dinner, a talk by Verástegui and a live auction.
“Many know Eduardo as the lead actor in the Catholic movie, ‘Bella,’ however, he is also an international speaker, film producer and most importantly, a much recognized pro-life advocate,” said gala committee member Laurie Heath. “He, himself, has opened a pro-life pregnancy center in Los Angeles.”
After experiencing huge success in both his native Mexico and in Hollywood that left him feeling he had left behind the Catholic values he believed in—he was a Mexican soap and recording star when he starred in 20th Century Fox’s comedic “Chasing Papi”—Verástegui undertook a self-imposed sabbatical of several years. During that time, he co-founded Metanoia Films, aiming to produce movies that could change lives and hearts. Metanoia’s first film, the pro-life “Bella,” won the People’s Choice Award at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival.
The mission of the privately operated and funded The Lighthouse in east Denver is close to Verástegui’s heart. Located at 3884 Olive St.—across the street from Planned Parenthood of the Rockies headquarters—The Lighthouse intends to offer help and hope to women to bring their pregnancy to term. Groundbreaking for the facility took place in September.
“We will demonstrate compassion, competence and faithfulness in serving those who come to our center for advice and counsel,” Heath said. “The Lighthouse will encourage and uphold Catholic teachings regarding human sexuality, reproductive health and medical referrals.”
The center, organizers said, will offer pregnancy testing, ultrasound imaging, counseling, adoption referrals and life-skills education.
“There is a magnitude of needs in starting up a nonprofit such as The Lighthouse,” Heath explained. “We are hopeful that our first benefit dinner, ‘A Beacon of Hope,’ will bring in enough funds to get our facility up and running by spring.”
Local radio personality Dan Caplis will serve as the gala’s master of ceremonies; Lighthouse chaplain Father John Paul Leyba will give the invocation and real estate professional Brendan Moran will act as auctioneer, touting items that include an Italian dinner with honored guests Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez and Denver’s Bishop James Conley in the home of Lighthouse co-founders, couple Deacon Mark and Laura Salvato.
“People can expect a wonderful evening from beginning to end,” declared Heath. “We are so excited!”
The Wildlife Experience is located at 10035 S. Peoria St. Gala tickets cost $50 per person; table sponsorships range from $500-$2,500. Reservation deadline is Jan. 14. For tickets, visit www.lighthousedenver.org or call Cathy Stemper at 303-902-0850.
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