Barb Paton’s Holiday Huddle Brings Together Colorado Sports Team GM Wives, Raises Funds & Holiday Cheer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

Denver, CO (December 9, 2024) – In 2022, Barb Paton, wife of Denver Broncos General Manager George Paton, launched a community event called the “Holiday Huddle” to raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and bring together a group of women whose husbands serve as GMs and coaches for Colorado sports teams. For the last two years, Paton’s Huddle has raised thousands of dollars to benefit kids and teens who attend Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, and members of the community group have volunteered at William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club’s holiday party to help Club members create crafts, pick out holiday gifts, and enjoy memorable holiday celebrations. 

Holiday Huddle leaders have grown to a group of six women on a mission to support kids. The group, who also support A Precious Child throughout the year, includes:  

• Barb Paton, wife of Broncos General Manager, George Paton;  
• Alicia Self, wife of Mammoth General Manager, Brad Self;  
• Linda Schmidt, wife of Colorado Rockies General Manager, Bill Schmidt;  
• Keisha Booth, wife of Nuggets General Manager, Calvin Booth;  
• Chandra MacFarland, wife of Colorado Avalanche General Manager, Chris MacFarland;  
• Alyssa Smith, wife of Colorado Rapids President, Pádraig Smith. 

Erin Porteous, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, said, “We are incredibly grateful to Barb and the team of powerful, caring women who participate in the Holiday Huddle. Barb and the Huddle members helped create special memories for our members last season, and the money they raised goes to support the more than 40,000 kids and teens we reach each year. We look forward to more fun and magical holiday moments with Barb and her team this year!”    

Upon her arrival in Denver in 2021, Barb Paton envisioned unifying the general manager’s wives of all of the city’s professional sports organizations to serve the Denver community as one and provide goodwill and additional resources for area kids in need. This resulted in the establishment of the Holiday Huddle initiative.   

“The outpouring of support and thoughtfulness that we received over the last three years for the Holiday Huddle was incredibly inspiring, and we know that this year will allow us to help even more Colorado kids be able to celebrate the holidays with happy hearts,” said Paton.  

“Seeing the joy on the kiddo’s faces was so fulfilling, and the youth leaders were the most impressive. The Holiday Huddle melted my heart!” said Chandra MacFarland.  

The group will host this year’s Holiday Huddle party at William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club at 808 Inca St, Denver, CO 80204, on December 20, 2024. Media are invited to attend from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. to obtain footage of the festivities (Santa Shop, gingerbread station, and other crafts, etc.) and interviews of designated participants.  

Interested media must RSVP to Suzanne Whitney, Director of Marketing & Communications for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, by December 18, 2024.  

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and the Holiday Huddle fundraiser, visit bgcmd.org/holidayhuddle.