It was a jolly rollicking evening at Ibiza when owners Charles Clark and Grant Cooper opened the doors to their midtown eatery and put on a festive party for supporters of the 24th annual Joyful Toyful. Guests arrived to schmooze in the restaurant's party room filled with 4,000 toys and with knowledge that each of the five charities would receive a minimum donation of $18,000.
Thanks to the Ibiza team, food, wine and service were donated to the cause — no small commitment when feeding more than 160 guests. Putting it all together Monday night were Ibiza general manager Jeff Conger, events manager Cody Hughes and executive sous chef Kenneth Burke, standing in for Clark, who was stranded in New York due to the snowy East Coast weather.
The merry band, a few in Santa hats, dined on tasty dinner of fresh arugula and spinach salad, Wagyu beef short ribs with white cheddar grits and a yummy assortment of bite-sized desserts. The latter washed down with Noval Black Port.
Rather than designate specific chairs for this year's fundraiser, the Joyful Toyful board, under leadership of president Fred Wahrlich, organized the very merry evening. Among them were co-founder Andy Delery, Janet Wahrlich, Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Kim Padgett, Chris Kase, Edie Saville, Susan and David Marks, Richard Dole, Grace Givens, Mark Faigen and Channel 13 KTRK's Tom Koch, who served as emcee.
The toys and proceeds are making their way to Boys & Girls Harbor, Casa de Esperanza de Los Niños, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, The Forge for Families and Volunteer Houston.
Joining in this jingle bell rocking party were Franelle Rogers, Celina Hellmund, Jerry Martin, Shelley Reeves, Mark Stevens, Amy Robinette and Hal Martin, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Peggy and Erik Carrington, Sheryl and Joel Androphy, Doreen and Frank Crappito and Kim Rolland.
Joyful Toyful elves load the truck with the 4,000 toys that will be distributed to five charities.
