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If you need a break from watching the Olympics, here are four ways to get off the couch and support your community this week.
Wish upon a star: Support the Make a Wish foundation with the Colorado Sporting Affair Celebrity Waiter Dinner, where big names like Mitch Unrein and Tom Nalen will serve and join you for dinner after a cocktail hour. Thur, 6 p.m.; Colorado Convention Center.
Cheers to education: Here’s your chance to support education while educating yourself about local food and wine. The second annual “Through the Tasting Glass” event features Colorado wines, gourmet food, and artists, and benefits Alexander Dawson School. The winemakers will be present to talk about their wines with you, and saxophonist Matt White will provide live jazz. Fri, 6:30 p.m.; Erie Airport Hangar.
Take the plunge: You can channel your inner polar bear by jumping in a pool of icy water during the Polar Plunge Splash & Dash. If it seems a little early in the year for outdoor swimming, you can also run a 5K through Denver. Celebrate with a beer garden and live entertainment afterward. Sat, 10 a.m.; City Park.
Trade chilly for chili: Maybe you can’t adopt a pet right now, but you can still support the Maxfund Animal Adoption Center, a local no-kill shelter. Fund our furry friends by entering or enjoying the 20th Annual Chili Cookoff. There will be prizes for entrants and door prizes for the tasters. Sun, 5 p.m.; Celtic Tavern.
—Image courtesy of Special Olympics Colorado.