Long, colorful tables ringing the rooms at Pinery at the Hill enticed strolling guests with mouthwatering special chocolate treats from area chocolatiers at a highly anticipated annual nonprofit event on June 13.

Add to that, centerpieces on the dining tables and all throughout were the blooming glory of the season’s flowers and plants in large arrangements available for sale at evening’s end.

Soft background music was by Spinphony and Wayne Wilkinson.

It was the 19th annual Chocoholic Frolic benefit, once again sold out, for the programs for thousands of area families who participate in Kidpower, which helps youngsters learn about and how to have personal safety.

The evening’s motto: “Planting the seeds of safety and confidence.”

Jan Isaacs Henry, Kidpower executive director and co-founder, and Jeannette Graham, board president, on a flower-bedecked podium, had shared why Kidpower teaches children the skills needed to keep themselves safe: “When children have the skills to recognize unsafe situations, set boundaries, speak up and ask for help, they bring that confidence into classrooms, onto playgrounds, and they bring that confidence into the rest of their lives. Safe, confident children are better able to learn, connect and flourish — and adults in their lives can better focus on helping them do exactly that.”

Starting in 1994, Kidpower has trained more than 73,000 children and adults in Colorado. In 2025 the trained instructors reached 3,125 kids, teens and adults. The executive director pointed out that the fundraising done with Chocoholic Frolic and through donors and sponsors has made it possible to never have to turn a child away because of inability to pay. In addition, a number of schools provide the program to enable all their children to participate.

The 350 attendees raised $155,000 for the nonprofit’s programs. The auction was entirely virtual with bidding moving forward online while folks savored chocolate and visited with friends. Others had placed virtual bids in advance.

The Colorado Springs Kidpower is part of Kidpower International, “a global nonprofit leader in child protection and personal safety education.”
A highlight of the Chocoholic Frolic evening was the presentation of the group’s top annual Darcell Palmer Award “for integrity on behalf of children.”

The recipient was introduced by Colorado Springs Police Department Lt. Drew Jeltes.

Honoree Renee Gonzalez has been with El Paso County Human Services for 19 years, 11 of those as law enforcement liaison. Specializing in child protection, she was described as working with law enforcement and community partners “supporting a collaborative response for the safety and well-being of children and families. She takes pride in building strong relationships across agencies and being a reliable resource in complex and sensitive situations. Known for her quick responsiveness, compassionate approach and unwavering willingness to support those she works with. Her assistance is often sought when other avenues have been exhausted and she has the ability to help solve problems that once seemed impossible.”

Chocolatiers thanked for their yummy offerings at this 2026 event were Chef in Boots, The Cheesecake Artist, The Pinery, Cole Market, Summit, Picnic Basket, Sugarplum Cake Shoppe, La Concha, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Marigold, The French Kitchen, Patsy’s and Goat Patch Brewing.

More information: kidpowercs.org.