Here Comes The Sun

Houston Texans defensive end wins big at IW Marks Charity Challenge and brings special date

Houston Texans defensive end Christian Covington brought a very special "plus one" to the recent Guy’s Night Out party at IW Marks Jewelers. Covington won the IW Marks Love Mom Charity Challenge on behalf of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, his charity of choice during the month-long campaign, and celebrated the win with his mother, Natalie Covington, on his arm.

Covington, a long-time supporter of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, raised awareness for the organization he first experienced while a student at Rice University. After seeing the cancer struggle his friend and fellow student James Ragan went through, Covington dedicated his efforts to volunteering for the non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer by providing positive group activities, free of charge, and emotional support.

“To have met a man like him who was so brave and courageous during his time at Rice truly inspired me to become more involved with The Sunshine Kids. After his passing, I became even more so invested,” Covington said. “Each and every child that I've met has left an imprint on my heart that I know will not leave me for the rest of my days.”

He also chose the charity as a way to honor his mother, who has been a source of support and encouragement in his life. “I am just so thrilled to be able to do this for the kids and appreciate being involved in the charity challenge,” Covington said.

The IW Loves Mom Charity Challenge is an annual event spotlighting prominent Houstonians and the organizations they support. Fans are encouraged to vote daily on CultureMap during the month-long campaign and the winning charity receives a donation of $2,500 from Brad and Joanna Marks.

"Community is important to us and we are grateful for the opportunity to support Christian and the Sunshine Kids Foundation," Brad Marks said. "It's an annual tradition and we appreciate everyone who voted for all of the charities in the challenge. We're already looking forward to next year."

The evening was definitely a celebration of life’s finer things including luxury cars from Rolls Royce Houston and Post Oak Bentley of Houston, exclusive offerings by Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Hudson Baby Bourbon, plus rye cocktails. The Briar Shoppe was on hand with an array of rare cigars, and models decked out in diamonds from IW Marks Jewelers and summer dresses from Tootsies mingled in the crowd.

Those in the Guy's Night Out crowd included Austin Alves, Matt Hibbets, Marc Vandermeer, Michael Yafi, David Hartland, Kevin Loeffler, Scott Thelander, Jason Hebert, Preston Ludwig and Jennifer Wisler, Rita Suchma, and Jenni Cash from the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

The Briar Shoppe was on hand providing cigars.

Photo courtesy of Red Phone Booth

The Briar Shoppe was on hand providing cigars.

charity-challenge

Big Spenders

Retro futurism meets philanthropy as Houston museum gala raises $3.6M

Houston Museum of Natural Science Gala 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.

Big spenders to the front, please.

On a night when Houston’s black-tie crowd orbited the worlds of science, style, and a little retro-futurism, the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Futurama: A Stardust Odyssey Gala 2026 felt less like a traditional fundraiser and more like an expedition through the museum’s halls.

Chaired by Randa and Charlie Williams alongside Susanne and Joel Bartsch, the gala welcomed more than 350 guests who arrived ready to lean into the evening’s mid-century futuristic theme. Instead of a traditional program, tables were scattered throughout the museum, an intentional design that encouraged guests to roam. Blooming Gallery’s décor channeled a bright, Jetsons-inspired palette before shifting into a copper-and-marigold Mad Men mood as the evening progressed.

Let’s talk about the Vault Auction, as it had a gravitational force all its own, delivering a treasure trove of museum-worthy marvels and luxury collectibles.

Among the headliners was a jaw-dropping 90–troy-ounce crystallized gold specimen from the Beta Hunt Gold Mine in Western Australia, with a $850,000 starting bid. A Chanel brooch centered on a GIA-certified yellow sapphire had a starting bid of $180,000, while a dazzling pair of earrings featuring Paraiba tourmaline, Mahenge pink spinel, and diamonds was valued between $800,000 and $1.2 million. The crown jewel of the display? “Rocks in a Box,” a museum-quality curated mineral collection assembled by HMNS curators selling for $1.8 million.

Need a ride? We got you. A 1965 Jaguar XKE Series 1 4.2 Coupe donated by Stephanie and Frank Tsuru was up for grabs.

Gulf Coast Entertainment’s Justin and The SwingBeats Quartet filled cocktail hour with jazz standards and retro pop. Later, diners gathered in Morian Hall of Paleontology and the Morian Overlook for a multi-course meal of elevated Southern fare.

After dinner, the celebration shifted into high gear in the Grand Entry Hall. Joystix Entertainment transformed the space into a retro arcade with glowing pinball machines, Donkey Kong cabinets, and pool tables. Flamingo showgirls by J&D Entertainment strutted through the crowd. Guests danced to live music, sipped milkshakes, nibbled late-night mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and even tried their luck at claw machines filled with gemstones and minerals.

The affair became the most successful gala in the museum’s history, raising $3.6 million to support educational programs, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives.

Orbiting the scene were Mary and Ron Neal, Patty and T. Mark Kelly, Caroline and Jack Williams, Nancy and David Pustka, Cynde and Chris Stravros, Mary Helen and Pete Bowden, Meg and Dick Weekley, Al Walker, Joella and Steve Mach, Monica and Fox Benton, Lisa and Mike O’Leary, and Chandos and Ike Epley, alongside many of Houston’s leading philanthropists and community supporters.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Will Lee, Britton Daugbjerg, Ella Fertitta, and Jason Fertitta.