Piton Founder Wins Nat’l Award

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Denver oilman Sam Gary struck it rich in Wyoming in 1967. He later created the Piton Foundation with some of the proceeds. It focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through education and access to health care. The foundation has contributed $56 million to local causes since it was created...and gave away $3.5 million in 2008 alone. On Monday, Gary was honored for his work by the national Couincil on Foundations -- that's a big deal in the world of philanthropy. At the same time, Piton is shifting the way it hands out money-- with a new focus on specific neighborhoods in metro Denver. Ryan Warner speaks with Sam Gary and with Piton's executive director, Terry Minger.