15th Annual Bocce Event

On Saturday, August 6, over 300 guests gathered at the 15th Annual Bocce Event to bring awareness to child abuse and fundraise for Voices Carry Child Advocacy Center, as well as celebrate the launch of our new name. The Bocce Event is one of Voices Carry’s most important events of the year, empowering community leaders to shine light on child abuse. Thanks to the support of 32 sponsors, 71 bocce teams, over 30 volunteers, and many donors, Voices Carry raised $60,000 at the event.

Event festivities included a bocce ball tournament, silent and live auctions, live music by Liz Barnez, and Carraba’s Italian dinner. Margaret Hoelzer, Olympic medalist and former world record holder in swimming, shared her powerful story about surviving child sexual abuse and receiving services at a child advocacy center in her hometown. Because of the work of child advocacy centers, “lives are changed” and Hoeltzer “went on to be an Olympian.”

Thank you to all of the sponsors who made the event possible, especially Title Sponsor, RC Special Events.

Click here to view photos of the event, courtesy of Melissa Wellman with MJ Photography.

Featured Guests

Margaret Holzer

Margaret Hoelzer is living proof of her belief that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. Overcoming a childhood of sexual abuse, Hoelzer has risen to the top in her sport and continues to excel both in the swimming and non-swimming world. In 2003, she was the top ranked American in the 200m and after earning silver in the 200m backstroke at the 2005 Championships, Hoelzer broke through for her first gold in the event at the 2007 world championships where she dropped nearly two seconds off her best time. In 2008, Margaret swam for the US Olympic team in three events, taking the bronze in the 100m back, and two silvers in the 200m back and 4×100 medley relay. She was the bronze medalist in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 2009 National Championships. She also hopes to start her own foundation for sexual abuse and is working to raise awareness of this cause.

Liz Barnez

Liz Barnez started her musical career in the clubs on Bourbon Street in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. She brought her eclectic style of music (which incorporates elements of folk, New Orleans R&B, blues, jazz, country, and a hint of pop) to Colorado in the late 80’s and hasn’t slowed down since . Her acoustic swamp groove is apparent in her guitar playing, songwriting, and soulful inspired singing.

2016 Sponsors

Thank you so much to our 2016 Bocce Event sponsors! These businesses and organizations are crucial to advancing our mission of reducing trauma to children and their families through a comprehensive response to child abuse while making our community safer for all children.

Title Sponsor

RC Special Events

Roman Empire Sponsor

Realities for Children

Godfather Sponsors

University of Colorado Health Foundation/Community Health Improvement Department

Evergreen Landscape & Sprinkler

Bullhide 4×4

Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado/Fort Collins Youth Clinic

Colorado Bikes

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

High Country Beverage