1. Blondes vs Brunettes
Alzheimer sufferers come out the winners in a friendly game of flag football
9/25/2015
By Katherine Doak, Metro Denver Retail Banking
Wells Fargo's team members are passionate about their causes, and Michael Krieg (left) is no exception.
Krieg, a Technology & Operations strategy consultant, kicked it into gear for the Young Professional's Alzheimer's Association
of Colorado's (YPAAC) flag football Blondes vs. Brunettes event this year.
Blondes vs. Brunettes is a women’s flag football game based on the age-old rivalry of blondes and brunettes. Redheads are
welcome as free agents! More than 30 games are played across the country, including Denver. Since it began in 2005, the
event has raised more than $4 million making it one of the most ambitious Alzheimer’s Association fundraising events. Krieg
alone raised the top amount for a Denver team at $4,185 and coached the Brunettes.
Because Krieg was so successful with fundraising, he was invited to join the YPAAC board of directors and serve as the
sponsorship chair. He became involved after losing his grandfather to Alzheimer's, and has already devoted more than 30
hours this year to his cause of choice.
"When you're younger, you don't notice all of the various diseases that can come along as people grow older” he said. "As
you age and become directly impacted, you start to see how it not only affects the person but also their family, friends and
caregivers. I felt through volunteering with Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado I could help find a cure
this disease.”
Krieg also attributes part of his motivation to get involved to CTO/CAO-Line of Business Tali Bray. Bray features team
members and their involvement in community service during quarterly meetings. Hearing stories about fellow team
members’ volunteer activities inspired Krieg.
Preparing for the game was intense and required meeting two to three times per week for two months. Most participants
raised the $500 minimum to join the team, but those who had been impacted directly, like Krieg, often raised more.
YPAAC also partnered with the Denver Broncos this year as part of its "Be a Champion in Your Community" campaign and
raised nearly $128,000. This was the first year the organization was able to partner with the Broncos and Krieg has high
hopes for the future.
As a member of the board, Krieg hopes to be able to grow awareness of the cause and the organization and possibly add
more than one game a year to the agenda.
So who won this year's battle of the hair?
"It's a sore subject," Krieg said.
With 0.4 seconds remaining in the game, the Brunette's passed for a touchdown to take the lead, 24-20. However, as the
ball was snapped the quarterback’s flags fell off and a replay was required by the referees. The next try wasn’t as successful,
with the Blonde’s holding on to win, 20-18.
"It was as good of a loss as you can have," Krieg said.
# # #