Shelby's Social Diary

So many charity events, so little time

Joe Baraban, left, Phyllis Rauls and Joanne Naponic test their luck at the 14thAnnual Young Friends of Ronald McDonald House Oscar Night America.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Doug Foshee, from left, John Knox Jr. and Larry Heard were the big guns leadingSEARCH to a whopping success.
Nathalie and Charles Roff, left, shared duties as co-chairs of the Da Camera ofHouston gala with Carrie and Al Pepi.
Photo by Pin Lim
Parents and Families luncheon chairs Suzanna Brener de Stern, left, JessicaMeyer and Jennifer Stern were joined by husband/father Dr. Juan Stern.

A look at the social calendar for the month and you can tell that we are barreling toward spring break. It seems that every major charity is scheduling its spring luncheon and/or gala during the first two weeks of March. During week three of this month, we can rest our party clothes and tuxes while all the school kiddies and parents head for the slopes, the beaches or the ranch. But we've got a lot of party terrain to cover between now and then. Herewith a recap of major events that have taken place in recent days.

Going Hollywood

There was a touch of Academy Awards glamor at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Sunday night as the Young Friends of Ronald McDonald House supporters gathered more than 300 strong to walk the red carpet at the 14th annual Oscar Night America party. Naturally, the awards ceremony was broadcast on large projection screens. Casino games, live and silent auctions and interactive "predict the winners" contest provided further diversion as did the seated dinner and the Hollywood-style decor.

The party crowd included Katherine Avery, Jordan McPhail, Jennifer Malinoff, Danielle Wymer, Marlene Harrison, Jenny Dill, Emily Wang, Ryan Chase, and Channel 13 newswoman Jessica Willey, who served as emcee.

Big six-figure success

We love it when a luncheon tops the $500,000 mark in proceeds. Congratulations to SEARCH Homeless Services for its luncheon at the Hilton Americas Houston where the greenbacks rolled in beyond the $512,000 mark and the turnout was 850. No small fete in this economy.

Credit goes in large part to the deep-pocket connections of the key players including luncheon chairs Caroline and Larry Heard, CEO of Transwestern. Add underwriting chair John Knox Jr. to the mix and honoree Doug Foshee, chairman and CEO of El Paso Corp. It was a win-win for everyone and the whole thing ended promptly at the promised 1 p.m. closing. Three cheers for it all!

An off-beat bash

What fun! The theme of Da Camera of Houston's annual gala "The Nuvo Boho: The New Bohemians" set the stage for an evening of colorful entertainment that began with vocalist Danielle Reich and her "gypsy" swing trio, moved on to performances by musicians from Da Camera's Young Artist program during dinner and concluded with dancing to the disco funk sounds of Sam Dinkins III and Collector's Item.

Overseeing the party at the Bayou Club were co-chairs Carrie and Al Pepi and Nathalie and Charles Roff. In the mix were Claudia and David Hatcher, Chinhui and Eddie Allen, Nancy Allen, Elaine and Marvy Finger, Mimi and Robert Del Grande and Isabel and Ransom Lummis.

Not just for kids

The Children's Museum of Houston's 17th annual Parents and Families Luncheon played to a full house at River Oaks Country Club where 460 guests helped raise $150,000, a figure more typical of current charity luncheons. The event was chaired by the mother-daughters trio of Susana Brener de Stern, Jessica Stern Meyer and Jennifer Stern. Of course, proud pappa and hubby Dr. Juan Stern was on hand to lend his support.

Applauding guest speaker author Erin Gruwell were Courtney Hopson, Greggory Burk, Debbie Festari, Jennifer and Lance Gilliam, Nancy DeWalch and Melissa and Michael Mithoff.

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Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

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