Shelby's Social Diary

Houston's most generous people: National Philanthropy Day honors the Bayou City's world changers

The true measure of Houston's philanthropic momentum is witnessed each fall with the annual National Philanthropy Day "Changing the World" awards luncheon. Wednesday's event was no exception with more than 1,000 filling the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom to honor some of the city's most generous giving individuals and organizations.

The spotlight first shown on Maureen Hackett, who over the weekend was named the 2014 Outstanding Philanthropist in North America at the National Philanthropy Honors award dinner in Washington D.C. A generous leader in local and national philanthropy, Hackett was nominated for the award by M. Anne Murphy of Dini Spheris, Lisa Kennedy of The Kennedy Collaborative and Deborah Lackey of Memorial Hermann Foundation. With announcement of the honors, she received a standing ovation.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals hosts the award presentations in chapters across the country and nationally.

Barbara and Corby Robertson also received a standing ovation as they received the Maurice Hirsch Award for Philanthropy. "We're fortunate to live in a community like Houston," Corby said, "that has a large giving spirit." On presenting the award Dr. Paul Klotman, Baylor College of Medicine CEO, noted, "Philanthropy is a tradition with this family. It's part of their DNA."

With Channel 13 KTRK morning news anchor Tom Koch serving as master of ceremonies, the following awards were presented:

To Mary and Will Williams, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers; to the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Houston Business Journal Outstanding Large Corporation; to West Houston Subura, Houston Business Journal Outstanding Small Corporation;

To the Houston Symphony, Outstanding Fundraising Program of More Than $250,000; to Bikers Against Breast Cancer, Outstanding Fundraising Program of Less Than $250,000; Cut-N-Shoot Texas Chapter Harley Owners Group, Outstanding Community Service Organization; to KPRC, Outstanding Media and to Betsy Clardy of UTMB Health, the Byron Welch Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Among the many notable philanthropists on hand were Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Ernie and Janet Cockrell, Beth Robertson and Steve Pearce, Nancy Ruez, Joella and Steve Mach, Cam Canion, Lynda and David Underwood, Howard Tellepsen, Regina Rogers, Martha Turner, Marc Shapiro and Steve Lufburrow and Association of Fundraising Professionals — Houston chapter president Angela Young.

James and Kathleen Jennings.

Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com

James and Kathleen Jennings.

unspecified

Safety First

Houston spirit shines as Crime Stoppers gala raises $2 million

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

Big hats met big-hearted giving at The Revaire as Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted its Second Annual “Raise ’Em Up for Texas” Gala, presented by Glenda and Russell Gordy and the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Family Fund

The evening unfolded like a Texas-sized toast guided by gala chairs Brooke Lee, Dana Barton, and Kristen Collins, and lifted further by strategic chairs Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff.

More than 460 guests filled the sprawling venue, welcomed first by a festive happy hour and a bustling silent auction. Master of ceremonies Johnny Bravo kicked things into gear as guests settled in, followed by remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, who championed the crowd’s shared commitment to keeping Houston safe.

Speaker Maurine Molak, co-founder of the David’s Legacy Foundation shared the story of her son, whose life was cut short at 16 after enduring relentless cyberbullying. She illuminated the gap in resources available to families at the time and the sweeping efforts that eventually led to David’s Law. Her partnership with Crime Stoppers through The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Million for Million campaign has already reached more than two million students, continuing David’s legacy by empowering young Texans to seek safety, support, and hope.

A surprise presentation of the Second McIngvale Family Humanitarian Award honored Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation for their community-wide compassion. Accepting on their behalf was Catarina Bill.

Then came a major announcement: The creation of a new Crime Stoppers Women’s Collective, a group of 50 women stepping into a leadership role for 2026, along with an ambitious push to educate 10 million Texas students and the launch of SafeSpace Student Hub, a digital platform designed to give students a confidential place to seek guidance.

Nobody’s Fool closed out the night with plenty of two-stepping as supporters lingered, celebrating a mission-driven evening that raised a record-breaking $2 million.

Showing up in full Texas spirit were Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Hallie Vanderhider, Sippy and Ajay Khurana, Tom Ramsey, Noe Diaz, Ben Katrib, Twila Carter, Willie Davis, Fred Flickinger, Mary Nan Huffman, Julian Ramirez, Alan Rosen, Terry Allbritton, Emily DeToto, Lori DeAngelo, Peyton Peebles, Aaron Burdette, Lance Long, Dan Simons, Carolyn Dozier, Ken Wise, Tiffany Herd, Eric and Lisa Elder, Alex and Tammy Janos, Kari Lynd, Natalie and Steve Mohtashami, Kyle and Erin Cummings, Snehal Amin and Adrienne Amin, Jessica Leeke, Carla and Tony Maarraoui, Karen and Lohn Zylicz, Frank and Jill Stagg, Robert and Dana Clay, Catherine and Peter Badger, Pam Connealy, Mayes and Macy Middleton, Megan and Walker Weston, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Seth and Hannah Siegel-Gardner, Anna Reger, Sheri Zucker, Trini Mendenhall, Phillip Royalty, Jeff Nadalo, Farida Abjani, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Omar Alaoui, Susan Boggio, Deborah Duncan, and Laura Ward.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

fundraisers crime stoppers houston