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    Menninger Signature Luncheon

    ABC anchor Elizabeth Vargas talks frankly about addiction and road to recovery at Menninger luncheon

    Clifford Pugh
    May 10, 2017 | 12:34 pm

    What: The Menninger 2017 Annual Signature Luncheon with Elizabeth Vargas.

    Where: Westin Galleria Hotel.

    The scoop: Award-winning ABC News anchor and correspondent Elizabeth Vargas, author of the bestseller, Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction, riveted the audience of 650 with frank talk about her struggles with anxiety and alcohol and her road to recovery. Vargas discussed some of the myths of addiction, such as the erroneous belief that addicts lack self-discipline or that addiction is a choice.

    "Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an unprecedented, comprehensive report calling addiction a huge public health crisis that is in fact a disease. More people suffer from it than all cancers combined in this country and only one in 10 people get help," said Vargas, who co-hosts 20/20 with David Muir on ABC.

    She stressed the importance of talking openly about addiction and other mental health issues. "Don't be afraid to reach out for help. Don't feel afraid to say, ' I don't know.' And ask somebody. I don't know where I got the wrongheaded message that it was weak to ask for help, that I would be judged harshly. You can only get better when you get the help we all need, not just me. A lot of people need help, but they hate asking for it," she said.

    And, she noted in closing, don't be too judgmental of others. "Everybody has something they're struggling with. Be kind," she said.

    ABC13 news anchor Melanie Lawson conducted the revealing onstage interview with Vargas, who hung around afterwards to pose for photographs and sign copies of her book.

    Former patient Simone Hunt also shared her story about coming to Menninger as a malnourished, drug addicted, and traumatized 20-year-old who had survived several suicide attempts. Now 25, she details her road to recovery in a blog thingsgetweird.com and a forthcoming book, If You're Freaking Out, Read This.

    Ronny Cuenod, who co-chaired the luncheon with his wife Dorothy, and Jeff and Paula Paine, spoke of the agony of losing a child to suicide and how his family learned to cope with the devastation. "In order to turn tragedy to triumph, you need to look around and say, 'I love you,' 'I need to say I'm sorry,' 'I need to ask how can I help you?'," he said.

    Lynne Paine, Nancy Runnells, and Beverly Wuntch, founders of The Gathering Place, the Menninger psychosocial clubhouse that provides free rehabilitative services to approximately 75 members each day in Houston, were honored. Menninger Clinic president and CEO Dr. C. Edward Coffey also detailed the completion of a capital campaign for a new $16 million outpatient services and education center on the Menninger campus. Menninger Clinic Foundation Board chair Maureen Hackett spearheaded the fundraising drive.

    The luncheon raised $575,000 to benefit mental health treatment, research and training at The Menninger Clinic, the nationally-ranked mental healthcare system offering inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.

    Who: Also spotted in the crowd were Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Vivie O’Sullivan, Chris Knapp, Kelly Hackett, Mosie Hackett, Elaine Finger, Mindy Hildebrand, Allen and Carol Lyons, Howard Tellepsen, Emily Bush, Dr. Kathy C. Flanagan, Stephanie and Brad Tucker, Cyndy Garza-Roberts, and Menninger Clinic board chair Rob C. Wilson III.

    Steve Borick, Barbara Robertson.

    Steve Borick, Barbara Robertson at Menninger Clinic luncheon
      
    Photo by John R. Lewis
    Steve Borick, Barbara Robertson.
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    Power and Style

    Fashion show and tequila toasts light up Latin Women’s Initiative lunch

    Joel Luks
    Jun 13, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
    Photo by Dave Rossman
    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    Houtson's Latin Women’s Initiative pulled off a tres chic triple threat — style, celebration, and serious giving — during its 30th anniversary luncheon and fashion show, drawing more than 850 supporters to the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom. The event blended culture, community, and catwalks into one spectacular midday affair.

    Event chairs April Ramirez Fabre and Julie Garza, alongside board president Jovanny Orellana, welcomed guests to a ballroom teeming with fashionistas, philanthropists, and a whole lot of Latin sass. The annual luncheon, show, and bustling marketplace marked a major milestone for the nonprofit, which has supported Houston’s Latin community for more than two decades. This year’s honorees, Lisset Garza and Naimeh Salem, were recognized for their years of dedicated support to the organization and beyond.

    Festivities kicked off early with a shopping marketplace that opened in the morning and quickly became standing room only. Stylish attendees sipped tequila samples from local brand Titanium Tequila while browsing vendors. A specialty cocktail bar and music from DJ Freddy B kept the energy festive. Event designer Johanna Terry delivered an elegant setting, infusing the ballroom with rich emerald green tones, a nod to the organization’s 30th anniversary, paired with lush florals.

    The program began with Orellana welcoming the crowd from a dramatic Y-shaped runway, as Mariachi Reyes de Mexico filled the room with music that hushed the crowd for a heartfelt invocation.

    Then came the moment every fashion lover waited for: Lo Mejor de Saks Primavera 2025 (The Best of Spring Saks 2025), a luxe runway show presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, led by Heidi Turney and Hasina Starks. Applause echoed as models and a few brave Houston firefighters showed off the season’s must-haves. But the true showstopper? Actor and TV host Julián Gil, who surprised the audience by strutting the runway himself, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. His appearance was generously sponsored by Salem.

    The catwalk came alive with Latin beats and massive LED screens flashing colorful visuals, thanks to a production team led by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar. Behind-the-scenes storytelling and videos, created by exclusive media partner Telemundo Houston, added a poignant layer to the spectacle.

    As guests settled in for lunch, anticipation built for the raffle, which included a dazzling diamond tennis necklace from Zadok Jewelers. Helene Zadok herself took the stage to crown the lucky winner. All that excitement translated into impact: the event raised more than $500,000 to benefit Justice Forward, Rebuilding Together Houston, Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus, El Centro de Corazon, and Naba Shoes for Kids.

    And what’s a Latin party without a proper toast?

    Guests clinked glasses in a tequila-fueled cheers to three decades of fashion for a cause, then danced the afternoon away to live music from Grupo Kache. The grand finale included more marketplace shopping and lite bites, with plans already announced for next year’s fête on May 1, 2026.

    Houston’s Latin glitterati showed up, including Ceron, Patricia Herrera, Leticia Fallick, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Vicky Dominguez, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna, Chree Boydstun, David Cordua, Frances Castañeda Dyess, Patricia Garcia, Alba Huerta, Daisy Mendoza, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Jackie Garcia, Cathryn Martinez, Mariangeles Orti, Vanessa Ramirez, Matty Restivo, Lisa Flores, Susan Dray, Marilu Garza, Conchita Reyes, Lorena Gomez, Lucia and Michael Cordua, and Leisa Holland-Nelson.

    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Dave Rossman

    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

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