Record-Setting Luncheon

Star-studded Brookwood Luncheon raises record $1.5 million thanks to big surprise

With so many heavy hitters in the audience, including former first lady Barbara Bush, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and wife Janice, Governor Greg Abbott, who served as keynote speaker, and his wife, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott, it's no wonder the Brookwood Community raised an all-time record of $1.5 million at its biennial benefit luncheon.

Nearly 700 guests filled the ballroom at the Omni Houston Hotel for the luncheon, which had a "Brookwood Proud, Texas Proud" theme, highlighting the adults with disabilities who live and work at the Brookwood Community, located on a 485-acre campus in Brookshire. Brookwood day program citizen Charlie Stubbs gave the invocation and the Brookwood Handbell Choir entertained the crowd.

Brookwood founder Yvonne Streit was on hand to sign copies of her new book Everybody’s Got a Seed to Sow – The Brookwood Story. Co-authored with Jana Mullins, the book recounts the creation of Brookwood and her own daughter's struggles.

Organizers, including co-chairs Stephanie and Brad Tucker, Nancy and Steve Beasley, and Melinda and Sam Stubbs, were thrilled when it was announced that the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation and the Houston Texans Foundation would match the $750,000 raised for the luncheon, ensuring the record-breaking total.

Also in the crowd were honorary co-chairs Doris and Terry Looper and Paula and Rusty Walter, emcee Steve Smith, State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Susan Baker, Cal and Hannah McNair, Ruth Smith, Holly Alvis, Jim and Linda McIngvale, Deborah Duncan, Mindy Hildebrand, Tony and Cynthia Petrello, Yvonne and David Streit, Kelli Weinzierl, Patty Biggio, Ginger Blanton, and Mike and Gracy Hall.

Sharon Henderson, Kelli Weinzieri.

Courtesy photo

Sharon Henderson, Kelli Weinzieri.

luncheons

College Bound

A Princeton moment steals the spotlight at Houston nonprofit's luncheon

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Diana Villatoro Sorto.

Ambition is contagious.

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Diana Villatoro Sorto.

And that was the ethos when Emerge supporters gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the organization’s annual Build the Village Luncheon, a polished midday affair centered on a simple but powerful idea: Investing in Houston’s next generation of leaders.

More than 400 guests filled the room for the program, including Emerge scholars, for a celebration of the organization’s mission to help high-achieving students from low-income communities gain admission to and graduate from the country’s top colleges.

Serving as co-chairs were Kate Dearing Fowler and Kate Schilling Kelm, who welcomed guests to a lively gathering. The luncheon honored Mia Mends, chief executive officer of Cushman and Wakefield Services and former Emerge board chair, recognizing her years of leadership, mentorship, and steadfast commitment to expanding opportunities for the organization’s scholars.

One of the afternoon’s most electric moments arrived when Klein Collins High School senior Diana Villatoro Sorto stepped to the podium and announced that she will attend Princeton University this fall. The declaration sparked an immediate roar of applause across the ballroom, the kind that ripples through a crowd and lingers for longer than expected.

The program also spotlighted Emerge alumna Marlee Morgan, whose story of resilience and academic success is an example of the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting scholars well beyond the college admissions process. Emerge’s work doesn’t end with an acceptance letter. It extends into helping students navigate college and launch meaningful careers.

The crowd’s enthusiasm translated into tangible support. Attendees raised more than $760,000.

On the scene were Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Farid Virani, Liz DeMontrond, Jack Blanton, Ann Stern, Elisa Villanueva Beard, and Ruth Lopez Turley, and many others.