And we thought we had seen it all at charitable fundraising galas. Well, that was before Friday night's Mission of Yahweh benefit for which the River Oaks Country Club ballroom was filled with song in tribute to the four female honorees.
Hitting all the right notes were gala emcee Deborah Duncan, event planner Paul David Van Attaand Houston Social Book editor Scott Evans as they individually serenaded their assigned honorees — Sydney Faust, Cora Sue Mach, Linda Martin and Trini Mendenhall-Sosa.
Big applause for chairs Samantha Kennedy and Henry Richardson, who brought together a ballroom filled with generous donors to participate in the fifth annual "Mission Incredible Gala." The evening raised close to $500,000 for the Mission of Yahweh's programs to help homeless women. With 52 years of service on the books, the non-profit today has an 11-building shelter dedicated for women and their children.
Adding further clout to the evening were honorary chairs Rose Cullen, Mary Gracely and Martha Turner.
Guests were as moved by the decor (thank you Linda McIngvale, who opened her warehouse of party props) that included life-sized trees covered in lights, a park-like setting with faux grass and crystalline centerpieces that rose from the tables in sparkling splendor.
Contributing to the event's success were auction co-chairs Katy Calicchia and Julie Pitts and special advisors Pam Lockard, Monica Hartland and Warner Roberts, who says she had to beg Van Atta and Evans to join in the singing.
Swaying to the sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra were guests including Monsour Taghdisi, Joanna and Brad Marks, John Blaisdell, Harry Mach, Ting and John Bresenahan, Valerie and Tracy Dieterich, Lindley and Jason Arnoldy, Leisa Holland Nelson, Kimberly DeLape, Charlie Hartland, Frank Sosa and Meredith and Ferris Hussein.
Tracy and Valerie Dieterich at the Mission of Yahweh gala.
