The Metal of Honor Fund will hold its annual banquet and fund-raising activities May 1 weekend in Denver.

The Metal of Honor Fund, a group of civic-minded HVAC and sheet metal companies, will hold its annual banquet and fund-raising activities May 1-3 in Denver.

Denver-based Hercules Industries will host the May 1 banquet, which will recognize the largest industry contractors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Arizona.

It is also set to include a casino night, with proceeds going to Judi’s House, which lends support to Denver-area children who have recently lost a parent. A 2009 Pontiac G5 sedan will be auctioned.

Organizers are confident they can raise their $50,000 goal.

“Each year we learn new tricks and attract new supporters to our cause,” said auction coordinator Annette Newland. “We are a group passionate for our cause and we make sure we have fun in all aspects of our efforts.”

In 2007, it gave $40,000 to Denver’s Samaritan House and raised $46,000 for the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center in 2008.

Other fund-raising activities scheduled this year include go-kart racing and bowling tournaments.  Since 2004, the fund has given more than $300,000 to charities in the region.

“The revenues and opportunities in our industry may be limited right now,” said group member Helen Hyatt, “but our passion and need to help others in our community is not.”