$100 Million And Counting

$100 million donors to cancer research get surprise of their life at gala

Seldom will you find oilman/philanthropist Lester Smith at a loss for words. But that's exactly what happened Saturday night when his daughter, Shelly Hendry, presented him the Lifetime of Hope Award at the 25th anniversary gala of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Sue and Lester Smith were honorees on the night full of surprises including the award presentation, which brought Lester — and then the entire Omni Hotel ballroom — to tears. The couple earned a standing ovation from the gathering of more than 350. Henceforth, the award will be known as the Lester and Sue Smith Lifetime of Hope Award.

Through the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, the couple has granted more than $100 million to organizations fighting cancer. They have established numerous clinics bearing their names including the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Smith Clinic at Harris Health System, and Smith Clinic at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. And they have provided more than their share of fun in the fundraising process.

Key players on the evening included gala chairs Jane and Ed Parker and Judy and Glenn Smith and co-chairs Tricia and Panos Georgiou, Trish and Andrew Hayes, and Jane and Stephen Marmion. Khambrel Marshall of KPRC Local 2 and Melissa Wilson of FOX 26 served as emcees.

The night's entertainment included a stirring dance routine by professional ballroom dancers Lucia Dargan and Tadeo Diaz, and dancing for everyone to the sounds of the David Caceres orchestra.

Joining the celebration wereKomen president and CEO Dr. Judith Salerno, Komen Houston executive director Dr. Adriana M. Higgins, Brian Hendry, Dr. Kent Osborn, Drs. Mary and Paul Klotman, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Diane and John Riley, Ann Cazalot, and Agnes and Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi.

Lester Smith, Sue Smith, Shelly Hendry, Brian Hendry.

Photo by Jacob Power

Lester Smith, Sue Smith, Shelly Hendry, Brian Hendry.

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers