"Under the Big Top" was Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services most successful benefit gala to date with proceeds racing above the milestone $1 million mark.
The evening began in the foyer of the Westin Galleria Hotel ballroom where a colorful cast of circus characters — jugglers, magicians, stilt walkers and the like — mingled with guests as they bid on a vast array of silent and big board auction items. Adding to the circus theme was the costumed emcee, Courtney Zubowski Haas, who dressed as a ringmaster.
Taking bows as gala honorees were Karen and Buster Freedman, who received the Spirit of Life Award for their many years of support of Seven Acres and of the greater Houston community. Their close friend and community leader in his own right Marc Shapiro presented the awards while Seven Acres president Gary Swartz thanked participants including Cindy and Dennis Laviage of C&D Scrap Metal who generously donated a Fiat car for the raffle.
The event was chaired by Sandy and Lucky Burke and Andrea and David Stein with Jeri and Marc Shapiro and Bruce Stein serving as honorary chairs.
Tapping their toes to the sounds of the Richard Brown Orchestra were Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Susan Farb Morris and David Morris, Carole Fawcett and Michael Wiesenthal, Leslie and Malcolm Slatko, Sandy Rubin, Judy Yambra, and Vicky and Michael Richker.
Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services gala honorees Buster and Karen Friedman with Courtney Zubowski Haas, center, as emcee.
