Million Dollar Luncheon

Million dollar luncheon with Mayor and Astros star is a fab freebie for charity's supporters

When Houston Children's Charity founding executive director Laura Ward began planning the organization's 20th anniversary celebration, she wanted it to be a thank you to those who had helped the charity aid more than 1.5 million children and assist more than 300 agencies in its two decades. A freebie was declared.

With generous underwriting from the Hyatt Regency Downtown (where the gala has been held each of those 20 years), Ward was able to pull off a midday miracle. More than 500 guests poured into the hotel ballroom for a three-course lunch, a full court press of thank you's and the promise of a $1 million gift to Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers. And guests didn't have to pay a thing.

Mayor Sylvester Turner presented board chair Tilman Fertitta, board president Penny Loyd and Ward with a proclamation declaring it Houston Children's Charity Day. Houston Astro Carlos Correa, recipient of the Shining Star Award, added his plaudits to praise for HCC.

"HCC takes care of many needs for children," Correa told the gathering, "but the one that I felt was most special and where my work could help the largest amount children was A Better Night’s Sleep.”

Fertitta and his wife, Paige, received the Landry's Inc. Corporate Commitment Award in a long string of honors that included the Voice of Children Award to ABC-13 news anchor Dave Ward, the Lifetime of Giving Award to Sue and Lester Smith, the Spirit of Service Award to John Nau III and Silver Eagle Distributors, the Heart of Houston Award to Trini Mendenhall, the Media Champion Award to Dancie Ware, the Guardian Angels Award to Maria Moncada Alaoui and Tommy Kuranoff of BMW, and the Dedicated Support to Tom Netting of the Hyatt Regency.

Longtime HCC volunteer Carol Sawyer was presented the Making A Difference Award.

Charitable supporters included Dr. David Poplack, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Gary Becker and Tama Lundquist, Paul Loyd, Diane Lokey Farb, Grant Guthrie, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dan D'Armond, Donna Vallone, Susan Sarofim, Wayne Smith and Denny Lyons, Kristina Somerville, Tyson and Tena Lundquist Faust.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Penny Loyd, Laura Ward, Tilman Fertitta.

Photo by Pete Baatz

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Penny Loyd, Laura Ward, Tilman Fertitta.

luncheons

Buckle Up

Houstonians go all-in at fall Derby gala supporting seat belt awareness

Kailee Mills Foundation Kentucky Derby fundraiser

Photo by Jacob Power

Kristen Yoho, Deidre Mannion, Edith Fisher, Kristi Campbell, and Dana Koger.

Isn’t the Derby in May?

Photo by Jacob Power

Kristen Yoho, Deidre Mannion, Edith Fisher, Kristi Campbell, and Dana Koger.

That was the initial thought floating through David Mills’ mind when planning this Kailee Mills Foundation (KMF) fall fundraiser. But as the evening unfolded at The Revaire, the theme hit its stride. Just like the Kentucky Derby, the race to save lives isn’t about who finishes fastest.

It’s about staying the course. Agree?

Almost 400 guests dressed in colorful blazers, floral dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and feathered fascinators flocked to the venue for the “Buckle Up Gala: Derby Race to Save Lives,” raising more than $360,000 for seat belt education programs, family assistance, and scholarships. The event honors the legacy of 16-year-old Kailee Mills, who was ejected from a car in 2017 after momentarily unbuckling her seat belt.

Attendees arrived to photo ops with Bubba and Bruce, two very patient horses who posed with revelers. Signature cocktails flowed as guests placed their bets on big board auction items, including a George Rodrigue Blue Dog painting, a 1970 Château Lafite Rothschild, and an over-the-top private dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire.

Co-chairs Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt welcomed the crowd, reiterating the foundation’s mission to turn personal tragedy into purpose. Emcees Caroline Collins of FOX26 and Johnny “Bravo” Holloway kept the pace brisk, as Christian Collins delivered the invocation and a video message from Mayor John Whitmire praised the group’s impact.

Dustin Creager, KMF board chair and first responder to Kailee’s crash, reminded the room why they were gathered. Honorees April Roberts and Lucretia and Kris Jones were recognized, with Roberts sharing how a seat belt saved her husband’s life 27 years ago while on duty in his police car. Matt O’Neill was named Volunteer of the Year, and Impact Speaker Sabrina Runyan recounted the foundation’s role in supporting her family after a devastating crash left her and her young daughters with serious injuries.

But the emotional peak came when Mills asked guests to lift a rose in honor of Kailee’s Angels—victims of fatal car crashes ranging in age from infants to adults in their 40s. Each name was printed on a sheet at every place setting. The silent tribute was a visual reminder of the stakes at hand.

The night wrapped with dancing, more bids, and renewed commitment to the foundation’s life-saving work.

On the scene were David and Wendy Mills, Rebecca Creager, Steve Johnson, Steve Spencer, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dr. Jacquie Baly and James Craig, Odilia and Owen Conflenti, Angela Hernandez, Ghada Ali, Saula and Paolo Valente, Hershey Grace, Scott Evans, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, Ken Webster Jr., Matt and Theresa May, Brandi and Charles Muras, Tanya and Steven Tondre, Tina and Ed Michael, Jess and Travis Dean, Marie and Rico Cano, Deidre and Brian Mannion, Dana and Jeremy Koger, Kristi and Michael Campbell, Dana and Michael Spencer, Stephanie and Nick Walker, Heather and Dale Shelton, Edith and Adam Fisher, Abby Jones, and Austin Grammer.

fundraisers kailee mills foundation