Parker: Cutler also will fill Jake's charity shoes

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 24, 2007 at midnight

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New Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler not only will fill Jake Plummer's cleats on the field, he'll also step in for the retired QB in the local fundraising arena.

Cutler has established The Jay Cutler Foundation and will take the place of The Jake Plummer Foundation in raising money for metro area charities.

"In my position, I felt I owed the community something," the 24-year-old told me. "I always wanted to have my own foundation, and when the opportunity came up, I took it."

In what was one of the smoothest trades in Broncos history, Judianne Atencio, cousin of jeweler John Atencio, switched from running the Plummer charity to taking over Cutler's foundation.

Cutler's foundation raises money for the United Way's Youth Initiative Lights On After School program for elementary and middle school students and for Cameron Ebel Teens Against Violence. CETAV is an -anti-bullying organization named after a young man who was beaten and killed by schoolmates.

Plummer's foundation, which raised money for Alzheimer's awareness and for sick and abused children, is moving with Plummer to Idaho.

Cutler said his charity work with children is an extension of off-field volunteer work he did as a football player at Vanderbilt University. "I enjoy going to these schools, helping out, showing these kids a role model and what they can be," he said.

During his short time here, Cutler already has donned the Cat-in-the- Hat hat for Dr. Seuss Day at Columbine Elementary, conducted a CSAP rally at Wyatt-Edison Charter School and a led a "raucous" kickball game as a team-building exercise at Rishell Middle School.

Next on his charity agenda: Tee Off For Youth Success, a celebrity golf tournament June 11 at The Club at Pradera near Parker, and the strolling buffet and silent auction that Plummer used to throw at Morton's in the Tech Center, some time in September. CBS 4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi will emcee both events. More info: thejaycutlerfoundation.org.

NORTON'S NEW GIG: Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton has found her groove outside politics. The state's one-time second-in-command is now executive director of the Denver Police Foundation. She's the boss, but also the only employee.

"The Foundation operates two programs, one for individual officers and their families in times of crisis, and the other funds public safety programs to aid the Denver Police Department in enhancing law enforcement and crime prevention in Denver," Norton said.

Norton said the new lieutenant governor, Barbara O'Brien, whom she considers a friend, didn't need any advice before taking office. "She is very smart and capable, and I am confident she'll do a good job." WEIL'S WAY: In honor of Rockmount Ranchwear founder Jack A. Weil's 106th birthday, Wazee Street at 17th Street will be renamed Jack Weil Way on Wednesday. Come on down and shake this legend's hand at 11:30 a.m.

BUH-BYE: Off to NYC and Massachusetts next week to take On the Town Junior, a theater major at Denver School of the Arts, college hunting. Wish us luck - we're touring six schools in New York and two in Massachusetts. Talk to you April 3.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman in Mazatlan, Mexico: "As soon as I get my disability check I am going to go parasailing."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

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