Party Watch

James Bond 007 gala helps Halo House get close to goal of new housing for cancer patients

What: Halo House 007th Annual Gala.

Where: The Ballroom at Bayou Place.

The scoop: To celebrate its seventh annual fundraiser, the Halo House Foundation featured a James Bond theme complete with an Aston Martin on display, courtesy of Star Motors, and a number of Page Parkes models as glamorous Bond models in black evening gowns. Architect John Dazey served as a debonaire master of ceremonies, with references to such Bond hits as Diamonds are Forever.

"You are as precious as diamonds and always in our Halo hearts," Dazey told the crowd of more than 600 who jammed the event space.

Former president of MD Anderson Cancer Center president John Mendelsohn and his wife Anne were honored for their decades of community leadership in the fight against cancer while Michael Morgan, chairman of The Morgan Group, was given the 2017 HALO Award for his work in the foundation's capital campaign to build a 33-unit complex to provide housing for cancer patients undergoing treatment in Houston.

Nearly $12 million has been raised for the facility which will be constructed near the Texas Medical Center at Corder and Almeda. The gala brought in $475,000, leaving around $500,000 left to be raised to meet the goal. Construction is scheduled to begin in January.

The permanent facility has been a longtime dream of Dr. Nathan Fowler, an oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center,who recalled how the gala has grown since the first fundraiser with a group of friends and supporters at a Houston bar six years ago. Since Fowler came up with the idea to provide affordable housing for cancer patients in 2009, Halo House has been operating 10 leased apartments, available for eligible patients for $20 per day.

In silent auction bidding, an autographed framed photo of the legendary Muhammad Ali was the big seller at $4,000 while accommodations at the luxurious Dancing Bear Aspen resort went for $11,000. Afterwards, guests danced the night away to the music of the David Caceres Band.

Who: Spotted in the crowd were Halo House executive director Kathleen Fowler, event co-chairs Dena Wilson and Sheila Tanner, auction chair Kim Maulin, board member Shazi Khan, capital campaign co-chairs Pat and Rebecca Clinch, Megan Cornelison, Fran and Lou Kleinman, Nick O'Kane, Jerry and Chris Cardillo, Shannon Langrand-Emal, Lindsey Honari, Angela Fowler, Liz Sorensen, and Dave Riddle and Kevin Begnaud.

Guests fill the dance floor at the Halo House 007th Annual Gala.

Killy Photography

Guests fill the dance floor at the Halo House 007th Annual Gala.

galas

Sky’s The Limit

Hot air balloons lift spirits at Houston mental health nonprofit's gala

Photo by Dave Rossman

Co-chairs Will and Caroline Brown; Virginia and Cramer Williams.

With dreamy hot air balloons drifting overhead and a mission firmly grounded in impact, Communities In Schools of Houston’s Soaring to New Heights Gala lifted off at The Post Oak Hotel on April 9. More than 550 guests gathered for an evening that paired playful elegance with a powerful purpose: Raising $603,000 to support local students navigating real-world challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Co-chairs Will and Caroline Brown; Virginia and Cramer Williams.

Co-chaired by Caroline and Will Brown and Virginia and Cramer Williams, the evening honored longtime Communities In Schools champion Jan Redford, whose 46-year commitment to the organization was celebrated with warmth and gratitude. Guests began with a spirited cocktail hour before moving into the grand ballroom for dinner and a program emceed by Lisa Malosky.

The mood was celebratory, but the message was clear: Communities In Schools is a lifeline for students. CEO Lisa Descant emphasized the organization’s impact across 135 campuses and its role as the largest provider of school-based mental health services in Harris County, reaching more than 143,000 students each year.

Special guest Linda Gale White, former First Lady of Texas and a steadfast Communities In Schools supporter, was on hand, as was Joseph Patty of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, who offered a blessing.

The program featured moving testimonials from staff and students. Mandy Kolbaba, Madison Wimmer, Alma Nava, Melody Hall, and Julia Barnwell-Joseph shared stories of academic triumphs, emotional resilience, and transformational support. Standout moments included Marisabel, once homeless and now college-bound for psychology, and Joshua, a Lone Star College graduate heading to UH with an eye on politics.

Funds raised will help the organization continue surrounding students with the community and care they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Present were Omar Reid, Bob Gower, Judy Tate, Margot Cater, Bill Kroger, Pat Rosenberg, Cody Biller, Jennifer Espey, Allison Gower, Maynard Holt, Suzie Johnson, Deanna Jones, Cathy Malone, Cassie Milam, Jill Ramshaw, Brian Salazar, David Sambrooks, Suzanne Stiles, William Walker, Elizabeth Young, Diana and Russell Hawkins, Terri Lacy and Jim Baird, Ginny and L.E. Simmons, Sue White, and many more.

communities in schools fundraisers