Summer Social

Wine for good: Stylish do-gooders endure Houston's summer heat to help school-dreaming kids

While many of the city's philanthropists balk at the arrival of Houston summer — because perspiration and couture don't mix well — a group of good-doers are mindful that their worries are nothing in comparison to the stress of many parents during the respite from the school year. Education materials and school uniforms don't come cheap.

SEARCH Homeless Services, with the support of chairs Lisa and Stephen Johnson, is on a mission to outfit 1,000 children and their siblings with everything they need to thrive. The Fourth Annual Back To School with SEARCH gathering at Jerry Lasco's The Tasting Room in Uptown Park on Monday launched a month-long fundraising campaign that ensures the children served by the organization have the tools to concentrate on learning — and not what they don't have.

Donations were made by purchasing $20 vouchers that underwrite the cost of one uniform and are also redeemable for food at any Tasting Room location. Some of the 200 guests opted for wine by the glass — accompanied by a lovely spread of cheese and charcuterie — with a portion of the proceeds feeding SEARCH's piggy bank.

Back To School with SEARCH, sponsored by Boyar Miller and The Tasting Room, continues through July 29.

While toasting to new beginnings in the bar's newest party room — where Lady L Boutique resided prior to merging with its Houston Galleria location — executive director Thao Costis loved that the inaugural day cashed in $6,000 of the $20,000 goal.

Sipping and mingling were BoyarMiller chairman Chris Hanslik, Jennifer and Brent Howard, Bill Boyar, Katy Mayell Ellis, Welcome Wilson, Welcome Wilson Jr., Diane Barber and Karen Niemeier, Doug Parker, Shelly Cyprus, Gary Gibson, Chaz Klaes, Karma Burford and David Arnold, Lauren Kaufman Blachman and Dolores Wilkenfeld.

Yvette Hill, left, and Pilar McNear at Back to School with SEARCH at The Tasting Room.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Yvette Hill, left, and Pilar McNear at Back to School with SEARCH at The Tasting Room.

unspecified

Paws and Purpose

Lavish brunch party raises nearly $1M for Houston’s homeless animals

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Tena Faust, Major John Whitmire, Tama Lundquist, and Kirby Metocha.

Brunch with a purpose? Count Houston PetSet in.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Tena Faust, Major John Whitmire, Tama Lundquist, and Kirby Metocha.

The beloved nonprofit swapped its traditional evening gala for a sunshine-filled fête, and the crowd clearly approved. Held September 28 at chic social hub Le Tesserae, “Le Brunch” shimmered with mimosas, music, and energy, all to support Houston’s fight against animal homelessness.

The inaugural daytime event, co-chaired by Kirby Matocha Edmund alongside PetSet co-presidents Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust, drew a who’s who of Houston’s philanthropic set. Special guest Billy Bob Thornton and his band The Boxmasters delivered a rollicking set that had guests trading polite applause for full-on toe-tapping. Emcee Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston, kept spirits bright and the program flowing with her signature warmth and wit.

From classic brunch couture to photo-ready smiles, the scene blended laid-back glam with serious fundraising muscle.

And that muscle made an impact. Nearly $1 million was raised to fund PetSet’s critical grant program, which supports rescue groups and shelters across Texas. Last year, the nonprofit distributed more than $400,000 to nearly 100 local partners.

With its lively new format and near seven-figure success, “Le Brunch” might just become Houston’s next great giving tradition, with a side of croissants and good company.

Among the crowd of animal advocates were Mayor John Whitmire and Senator Joan Huffman, joined by Jan Duncan, Courtney Hopson, Mario Castillo, Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Devinder and Gina Bhatia, Rachelle and Jeff Ball, Honorable Lyndon and Marilyn Rose, Baily Dalton-Binion, Nancy Mathe, Ellen Weitz, Brittany Shattuck, Mary Doughtie, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Marge Lundquist, Sandra Smith, Shima Zangeneh, and Sue Smith.

fundraisers