Sky High for Kids founder and CEO Brittany Franklin serves as auctioneer at the gala. (Photo by Quy Tran)
The party scene never stops in Houston and the happy stakes seem to keep getting raised. In this look back at some of the more notable parties in Houston, let’s begin with three galas that all surpassed $1.5 million in fundraising in a single evening.
Houston Classical Charter School Gala
With a mere 280 guests attending the Houston Classical Charter School gala at The Corinthian, the evening still raised a record breaking $1,850,000 million for the young scholars. Congratulating chairs Sarah and Scott Barrett and thanking the generous supporters was Deyvis Salazar, founder and CEO of Houston Classical Charter School. Testimonials from parents and students spoke to the value of this charter school.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Gala
Erika and Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen chaired the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital gala evening at The Revaire where a record breaking $1.65 million was raised. The evening honored Amal Zakhem Nassar with the Mission Maker Award and the Polaris Dawn crew members — Jared Isaacman, Anna Menon, Sara Gillis and Scott Poteet.
The crew was honored through its connection with a young St. Jude cancer survivor and friend whose favorite pastime before cancer was watching rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the Give to Live Paddle Up, when Isaacman generously pledged to match the donations—taking the evening proceeds from $1.2 million to that remarkable $1.65 million raised.
Sky High for Kids Festivities
Once the final count was in Sky High for Kids‘ sporting clays tournament and “Better in Boots” gala at The Revaire drew a throng of 500 supporters all sporting their Western best and contributing to the evening that brought in a record $1.6 million. Applause, applause for chairs Ericka Parker and Lindsey Boatman. The bottom line enhanced by participation of JD Fields & Company as presenting sponsor.
Jung Center Dinner
Best selling author Clint Smith, his latest How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, captivated the Jung Center dinner crowd at River Oaks Country Club as guest speaker. The annual fundraiser chaired by Judy and Wayne McConnell and Heidi and Marcus Smith honored artist Mathieu JN Baptiste with the Carolyn Grant Faye Humanitarian Award, making him the first artist to be honored with the award named after the Jung Center’s founder.
Easter Tabletop
University of Texas Texas Exes Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala
Gala chair Tawyna Bell, Houston Texas Exes president Kyle Griffin, Cyndy Garza Roberts, UT vice president Chris Del Conte, and UT athletics director Richard Folger led the program that honored Tara and Kurt Arnold and Kisha and Jason Itkin. University of Texas spirit reigned at River Oaks Country Club where the Longhorn Alumni Band, the Spirit Squad – Texas Cheer & Pom and costumed mascot Hook ‘Em splashed the burnt orange loyalty…