The River Oaks Country Club vibed with bright sparks and high ambitions as Devorah Krieger and Ashley Sloan co-chaired the 2025 Friends and Families Luncheon, benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. With an afternoon of inspiration, community, and a little bit of luck, more than 275 guests left feeling recharged — no caffeine required.

  

Photo by Wilson Parish

Demi McCormack, Ashley Sloan, Elizabeth Douglass, Camille Connely, and Disney Harris.

The powerhouse of the March 6 event? Dr. Amy Shah, bestselling author and expert in integrative medicine, who took the stage to drop some serious intel. Drawing from her hit book I’m So Effing Tired, she tackled burnout, fatigue, and stress with practical, science-backed solutions. The message was clear: better sleep, smarter nutrition, and mindful living aren’t just for wellness influencers. They’re survival skills for parents, caregivers, and anyone running on empty.

Adding an extra dose of charm, KHOU 11 Meteorologist Chita Craft lit up the room as the luncheon’s effervescent emcee. Speaking of bright moments: Amanda Pickering scored a dreamy day trip to Round Top, Yalda Hamadanian secured a luxury weekend escape to Omni Barton Creek, Lindsey Engleman walked away with a coveted King Ranch gift card, and Patricia Wenzel won a delicious dining experience at il Bracco.

The luncheon raised nearly $180,000 to support Children’s Museum Houston’s early childhood and parenting programs, ensuring more families have access to vital educational resources. A sweet touch from The Village Bakery Houston — adorable cookie party favors — ensured guests left with full hearts and full hands. Stunning florals from Central Market set the scene for a lovely midday repast.

In the crowd were Sarah Barrett, Lauren Barrett, Adrienne Crane, Sarah Ebrahimi, Catherine Goossen, Veronica Griffin, Hayden Lasher, Whitney Lawson, Daphne Pappas, JP Ramirez, Mary Morgan Stevens, Mary S. Dawson, and Leslie Pitts.