Shelby's Social Diary
Circus carnival gala with stilt walkers, jugglers and carousel horses raises $700,000 for Covenant House
You won't meet a more fun-loving, civic-minded trio than Cheryl Bobbit, Angela James and Jo Ann Petersen. As chairs of Convenant House Texas' "Circus Carnivale" gala, they proved their puck at the Hilton Americas-Houston with a wildly fun evening that earned $700,000 for the non-profit.
Stilt walkers and jugglers welcomed the 475-plus guests, who wined, dined and danced to the sounds of Password on this evening filled with emotion and pride.
Emcee David Paul, KHOU Channel 11 chief meteorologist, introduced seven Convenant House Texas residents who shared their stories and told of how the non-profit had saved them from a life on the streets. A video tribute was presented on the late Eleanor "Puddie" Pitcock, a long-time CHT board member and supporter, who received the Spirit Award. Accepting honors on his wife's behalf was Doug Pitcock.
Taking bows as gala honorees were trustees of the Iris & Lloyd Webre Foundation — Camille Tichenor, Lloyd P. Webre, Mary Iris Webre, Roberta Rude, Iris Allen and Bob Duboise.
Once the serious business was done, the chairs cranked up the fun with the circus characters and the band. Among the revelers were CHT executive director and CEO Ronda Robinson, board chairman John Savardi and wife Lisa, Kurt and Marlene Nondorf, Jacqueline Fair, Tonya Hamilton, Ahsley and Michael Woodson, Mary Eads, Aimee Snoots and CHT Guild president June Reeder.