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    Mother's Day Accents

    International coterie of glamorous moms takes bows, helps launch new magazine

    Shelby Hodge
    May 11, 2016 | 1:21 pm

    The fourth annual International Mothers Day Soirée served not only to honor a dozen dazzling moms but also to introduce the first perfect-bound edition of LCA Houston International Society News magazine, sponsor of the cocktail reception held in the new Saks Fifth Avenue.

    Event founder and magazine publisher Ruchi Mukherjee arranged for a special treat for the honorees — presentation of their awards by internationally recognized perfumerKilian Hennessy. In his remarks, Hennessy noted that he loves Houston women, particularly the one who once told him that he was so cute, she could eat him up like a bag of Cheetos.

    In her remarks to the formally-attired gathering, Mukherjee said, "The magazine and this International Mothers Day Soiree features Houston's glorious journey of a diverse society and this event has been instrumental in bridging the ethnic to the mainstream while creating a strong sense of community."

    The charity component to the evening was Theatre Under the Stars' The River Performing and Visual Arts Center, with a portion of ticket sales and 10 percent of Saks sales that evening earmarked for the non-profit.

    Stepping as super moms on this night were Nicole O'Brian Lassiter, Deepi Sidhu, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Case Curry, Dr. Neelofur Ahmad, Staci Henderson, Deneice P. Leigh, Donatella Benckenstein, Irma Brindis, Dr. Terri Alani, Simran Rihal, and Melinda Spaulding.

    Among those applauding the honorees were Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu (who grace the magazine cover), Karina Barbieri, Geeta and Vipul Anand, Marcy de Luna, Mandy Kao, Laura Max Rose, Toni and Howard Tate, Rob Todd, Stephanie Von Stein, Sue Habib and Mehrnaz Gill.

    Ruchi Mukherjee with the honorees.

    International Mother's Day, 5/16 Ruchi Mukherjee
      
    Photo by Sonya Abid
    Ruchi Mukherjee with the honorees.
    awardsfundraisersgalas
    news/society

    Dignity Delivered

    Houston Furniture Bank turns compassion into comfort for kids

    Joel Luks
    May 30, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Houston Furniture Bank gala 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

    A child sleeping on the floor isn’t just a statistic — it’s a crisis. And on May 8, more than 400 guests packed River Oaks Country Club to do something about it.

    The Furniture Bank’s No Kids on the Floor gala, chaired by advocates and board members Francie and Mike Willis, raised more than $300,000, a record-breaking figure for the organization. The funds support its mission to provide beds to the estimated 300,000 children in Houston without one, a mission that has already placed more than 4,000 beds since the program launched in 2018.

    The evening, emceed by Linda Lorelle, featured the moving video highlighting founder Oli Mohammed and the organization’s impact. Ralph Marek was posthumously honored as the night’s Legacy Honoree, with his son Stan Marek accepting on behalf of the family. The inaugural Jodie Hoffer Community Service Award — named for the late Furniture Bank champion — was presented to Youval Meicler of Texas Mattress Makers, whose support has been both generous and hands-on.

    A heartfelt speech from the eldest child of a family served by the organization reminded the crowd what this night was really about: Dignity, safety, and the power of something as simple as a bed.

    Pianist Doug Montgomery provided the soundtrack for the evening, while Johnny Bravo rallied the room for a spirited live auction and appeal. Elegant florals by H-E-B, a sold-out Giving Tree, and a silent auction featuring rare wine lots rounded out the festivities.

    In attendance were Ben Marek, Roz and Alan Pactor, Scott and Samantha Hoffer, Karen and Larry Cress, Michele Meicler, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Janice Hall, Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon, Cinde and Gary Matocha, Edna Meyer Nelson, Jeff and Harry Cummins, Lisa and Bob Gulitti, Regina Rogers, Steve Finger, Frank Monacelli and Gloria Nino-Monacelli, Danna and Hal Lynde, Allison and Stuart Peterson, Jill and John Parsley, Molly and Miles Marks, Kip Altstaetter, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Audrey and Phillip Davis, Michael Galloway, Laura Ward, Cathy and Bud Geisinger.

    Houston Furniture Bank gala 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

    fundraisershouston furniture bank
    news/society

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