party watch

Retired SEAL, bestselling author Marcus Luttrell electrifies Medical Center crowd

What: The Partners Spring Luncheon

The scoop: The Partners Chair Trish Greaser, and Co-Chairs Charis Cox, Stacie Fernandez, and Judy Jackson welcomed over 300 Partners members and guests to the River Oaks Country Club to raise more than $180,000 for Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth student scholarships and faculty endowments.

Luncheon guests were inspired by the stories of heroism and survival from keynote speaker Marcus Luttrell, retired Navy SEAL and New York Times bestselling author of Lone Survivor. Luttrell, a Texas native, shared the harrowing story of four Navy SEALs who journeyed into the mountainous border of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Operation Redwing. The book (and subsequent major motion picture) is a moving tribute to his friends and teammates who did not make it off the mountain.

“Our primary goal is to support Cizik School of Nursing and their efforts in educating tomorrow’s nurses,” says Trish Greaser, Partners chair. “Thanks to the amazing work that our members have done, this year’s luncheon raised an incredible amount of money in support of student scholarships, faculty research grants, and endowments for the school.”

Partners was organized in 1994 to support and encourage the students and faculty of Cizik School of Nursing, and raises funds through the Circle of Support, the Spring Luncheon, and other special events to provide nursing scholarships and faculty research grants. This year’s honoree and long-time Cizik School of Nursing supporter was the John S. Dunn Foundation.

Who: UTHealth School of Nursing Dean Lorraine Frazier; UTHealth Development Board Chair Phil Ferguson; John S. Dunn Foundation President Charles M. Lusk III; Trish Greaser; Charis Cox, Stacie Fernandez and Judy Jackson; Jane and Paula Cizik; Margaret Ann Barnett; Dionne Breen; Jason Fertitta; Nanette Finger; Judith Fred; Clare Attwell Glassell; Susan Hansen; Judy Margolis; Adrian Melissinos; Dorothy T. Nicholson; Maria Pappas; Diane Riley; Ann Gordon Trammell; and Jeanette Woods.

Judy Jackson, Dean Lorraine Frazier, Stacie Fernandez, and Charis Cox.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Judy Jackson, Dean Lorraine Frazier, Stacie Fernandez, and Charis Cox.

celebrities fundraisers

Spritzed With Style

Houston charity’s Pearls of Wisdom gala is a real gem of a night

Photo by Andy Phan

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

Some came for the Aperol Spritz, others for the cause, and all left a little more hopeful.

Photo by Andy Phan

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

On a lively evening at River Oaks Country Club, guests gathered for Vita Living’s annual Pearls of Wisdom gala, where community, compassion, and a splash of Italian flair came together for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Chaired by Kristen Perrin, Pamela Perilloux, and Bryan P. Smith, the evening began with a color-splashed cocktail hour, where attendees mingled in vibrant attire, sipping spritzes and eyeing a meticulously curated silent auction. Among the standout items were a six-night escape to a riverfront condo near Beaver Creek (courtesy of Doug Dawson), a luxury three-night getaway to Chablé Yucatán Chocholá (thank you, Chablé), and a striking aluminum-mounted photograph, Golden Koi by Joe C. Aker, gleaming with texture and motion.

Emcee Kip Altstaetter opened the program with warmth and wit. Joseph Cooper, Vita Living CEO, delivered the invocation before passing the mic to the evening’s co-chairs for special remarks. Guests then watched a moving video introduced by Myrla Menn and Beth and John Hoffman, which offered an intimate look at the lives changed by Vita Living’s services.

The live auction helmed with high energy by Johnny Bravo Entertainment brought gala-goers to their feet, paddles flying in support of the nonprofit’s essential work. But the night didn’t end with dinner and donations. Supporters lingered and celebrated with a late-night gelato bar and warm camaraderie.

Founded in 1982, Vita Living has grown from a single home created by founder Renée Wallace for her son to a network of 20 group homes across Houston. The organization’s case management program serves more than 300 children and adults across seven counties.

This year’s record-breaking total — $207,000 raised — underscores the community’s growing commitment to supporting inclusive care and lifelong dignity.

Among the 300 present were Kara Willis, Charcole Santiago, Peter and Krystyna Cawthorne, Jim Roberts, David Payne, Clint Fritts, Andrew Campbell, Eddie and Kim Perdomo, Brian and Sarah Crawmer, David and Marilyn Guion, Larry and Christina O’Donnell, Chris Mehling, Lorraine Olah, Bella McNeill, Jonathan Puig, Ellie Rotan, Juliana Workman, Forrest and Katie Wynn, Louis and Ashley Pearce, Chandos Dodson Epley, Evans and Theresa Attwell, Mariquita Masterson, and Andy and Ashley Mejia.

vita living fundraisers