Noel Cunningham — Strings Restaurant

Tourism Star Award Recipient — 2002

It is hard to imagine anyone who has brought greater credit to the hospitality industry or done more to help feed Denver’s less fortunate than Noel Cunningham. His work on behalf of Share Our Strength has made this annual fundraiser for the hungry and homeless one of Denver’s most successful fundraising events. Noel is also involved in “Quarters for Kids” – a program that educates children about hunger relief. Since its inception, the program has raised over 114,000 quarters for children in shelters. In 2001, he once again stepped up to the plate to help Habitat for Humanity’s Women Building a Legacy project. This program brought hundreds of women volunteers to Denver to build five houses for low income families. Denver’s hospitality community hosted the group and was faced with the daunting challenge of feeding over 300 volunteers twice a day for seven days. Through his efforts, breakfast and lunch were supplied every day to every volunteer. He was instrumental in contacting area restaurants, securing donations, coordinating delivery and serving many volunteers. Without his help, the meals would not have been possible.

The profile of each Tourism Star is reflective of the time of the award.