While the social calendar of a savvy young professional is typically bulging at the seams on any given weekend, the scene at Saint Genevieve at West Ave Tuesday evening would fool any passersby into believing a must-be-there Saturday soiree was in full swing.
Approximately 300 trendoids in au courant cocktail attire surged onto the busy bar, spilling on the balcony for CultureMap's Mixers on the Map Holiday Soiree with Young Friends of CanCare, Young Texans Against Cancer and Houston Young Professionals Society. The assemblage celebrated the three young professional groups' synergies: A penchant for doing good and a desire to support those undergoing cancer treatment.
For Young Friends of CanCare chair Sonya Villamagna, who had looked lymphoma straight in the eye and kicked it to the curb seven years ago, it was an opportunity to raise funds to underwrite the cost of training volunteers who carry on the nonprofit's mission, and rally patrons to join Team CanCare for "Run for a Reason" at the Chevron Houston Marathon in January.
"I don't want anyone to feel alone during a trying time like this."
"When I went through cancer treatment in my twenties, I didn't know many in my age group who were in the same situation," Villamagna says. "I don't want anyone to feel alone during a trying time like this."
A $10 tariff plus a portion of the sales of the special cocktail, the festive Santa Hat, was split between the active nonprofits. Guests were given a small holiday gift bag with sinful treats from Eggleston's Edibles.
Some were spotted digging into the sugary goodness before leaving the premises. Who would blame them?
Prattling on with merriment were James Sivco, Stephanie Fruge, Marcy de Luna, Freddy Goerges, Lindsay Scovil, Cristie Williams, Alaap Parikh, Sarah Pendley, Dominique Shaar, Alexandra LaFont, Amanda Moreno, Edward Sanchez, Fred Dahr, Jordan Frazier, Loni Powell, Alex Newberry and Brad Parker.
