A collection of '80s supermodels on stage and a ballroom full of glam social mavens — that was the tableau at River Oaks Country Club, where beneath the frothy surface a serious cause was generously supported. A remarkable $400,000 was raised at the inaugural fundraiser for the I Am Waters Foundation, which provides bottled water, emblazoned with words of hope, to the homeless.
I Am Waters founder Elena Davis, a former model with the Ford agency, tapped her friends from the high-fashion world to take the stage and discuss highlights of the supermodel life before the sellout crowd of more than 500. Joining Davis in her efforts were Cheryl Tiegs, Diane DeWitt, Jack Scalia, Joan Severance, Kelly Emberg, Kim Alexis, Kim Charlton, Tara Shannon and Tony Spinelli, former Ford veep Joey Hunter and fashion photographer Peter Duke.
NBC national news correspondent Janet Shamlian served as emcee of the spirited discussion that touched on everything from the frivolous to the deadly serious — bubble baths in Paris, a suicide attempt in Munich, Sports Illustrated swimsuit covers.
During the program, Davis allowed that her affinity for helping the homeless evolved from her childhood during which she lived on the edge in near-poverty with three siblings and their single mother.
With water delivery programs in Houston, Austin and Fort Worth and expansion to New Orleans, I Am Waters will deliver more than 300,000 bottles this summer to agencies such as SEARCH, the Salvation Army and Star of Hope.
In the able hands of chairwoman Lindsay Holstead, the luncheon drew a stellar crowd in its own right including Gregg Davis, Terri and John Havens, Janet Hobby, Lynn Wyatt, Rand Holstead, Courtney Hopson, Kirby McCool, Elizabeth and Gary Petersen, Karen Pulaski, Kristi Schiller, Nidhika Mehta, Rosemarie Johnson, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Lori Schaub, Debra and Mark Grierson and former Ford exec Neal Hamil.
