Saying it received an “onslaught of personal attacks,” a Colorado nonprofit announced in a news release today that it was canceling a scheduled May appearance in Glendale by former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Palin, the former Alaskan governor and possible 2012 Republican presidential candidate, was to be the keynote speaker at the May 2 Patriots & Warriors Gala at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale.

The event, sponsored by the Sharon K. Pacheco Foundation, was announced to the media on Friday. The group said today the event had been canceled because of “safety concerns resulting from an onslaught of negative feedback received by the organization.”

“Due to an onslaught of personal attacks against Gov. Palin and others associated with her appearance, it is with deep sadness and disappointment that, in the best interest of all, we cancel the event for safety concerns,” according to the news release.

Officials of the foundation could not be reached for comment today.

The Pacheco Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to military families and at-risk youth.

Tax records show the organization has had meager support over the years — raising only $1,000 in 2008 and reporting total assets of $2,204 in 2009.

Moreover, the organization originally announced the Palin appearance on its Facebook page on Jan. 10 and began selling $185-per-person tickets Jan. 16.

On Jan. 30 the group offered $15 discounts, and on Wednesday it slashed ticket prices in half before announcing the gala to the news media on Friday.

The event was to have served both as an awards banquet and a fundraiser, providing financial resources to military families in need and raising money for a grief camp for children who have lost loved ones in combat, according to the original Friday announcement.

Friday’s announcement said the event was to have featured a silent auction, a concert and other speakers to be named later.

The announcement said Palin would speak to military personnel and thank them for their service.

Saturday’s announcement said the group hopes to host the event at some time in the future but with a different speaker.

May 2 is also the scheduled date of a NBC/Politico 2012 Republican presidential candidates debate, set for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. None of the possible presidential candidates has committed to attend. Palin is talked about as a possible presidential contender.

The news release, which was issued by the Pacheco foundation about 4 p.m. Saturday, said that no “direct threats have been made against anyone, but the recent increase in negative rhetoric against the former Alaska governor raises concern for her safety and the safety of others.”

Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367

or jpmeyer@denverpost.com