Restless for the Cause

Carlos Correa hits for Houston Children's Charity and Jeff Bagwell applauds

Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa officially joined H-Town's philanthropic sports fraternity Thursday by partnering with Houston Children's Charity in a drive to provide beds and bedding for the estimated 2,000 area children who don't have that luxury.

"It's not only important to me to be good on the field but also to be a good person off the field," Correa told a small gathering at Vic & Anthony's steakhouse where the announcement was made. The 2015 American League Rookie of the Year recalled his humble beginnings in Puerto Rico saying, "I basically came from nothing so I identify with these kids."

Correa and his marketing representative, Frankie Higginbotham, joined HCC executive director Laura Ward in the announcement event attended by media, HCC board members and sponsors.

Higginbotham explained the fundraising program in which participants can pledge a dollar for every hit that Correa makes in 2016 and earn a special baseball Correa card.

Those pledging $2 for every hit receive a card and the "Restless for a Cause" logo T-shirt. For $3 per hit, the prize includes a logo cap, for $5 a logo duffle bag and for a $20 pledge for each hit, participants receive an autographed special edition Marucci bat and baseball card as well as the other perks, plus the opportunity for a meet-and-greet with Correa. Higginbotham noted that Correa could have as many as 200 hits this season which would mean a $4,000 commitment to HCC's "A Better Night's Sleep" program.

Notables in the midday mix included Astro star Jeff Bagwell who commented on Correa, "As I sit here, I am just proud of him. I cannot think of any better person that I'm more proud of to be a representative of the Astros than Carlos . . . My part is gone. Now to see Carlos, (Jose) Altuve and (George) Springer and all those guys come over, you guys are carrying the Astros to a whole new dimension."

A bonus for Houston Children's Charity — Correa has signed on as honorary chair of the November 5 gala at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Headlining Foreigner, the black-tie benefit will honor HCC board chairman Tilman Fertitta.

Houston Astros star Carlos Correa lends his talent to Houston Children's Charity.

Carlos Correa, Houston Children's Charity lunch, March 2016

Photo by Shelby Hodge

Houston Astros star Carlos Correa lends his talent to Houston Children's Charity.

celebrities luncheons fundraisers

Raising Expectations

3 nights of Michelin-starred cuisine fuel Houston nonprofit’s mission

Genuine Cup Hope and Opportunity Dinners 2026

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

Fine dining dished with purpose? We’ll have seconds, please.

The Genuine Cup’s second annual Hope and Opportunity Dinner Series brought three evenings of Spanish-inspired hospitality to Soleil June 11-13, raising $665,350 to expand employment pathways and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Co-founders Ignacio Torras and Lorna Ortiz welcomed approximately 300 guests across three sold-out dinners for a culinary collaboration featuring Spain’s celebrated Roca Brothers of El Celler de Can Roca alongside Houston chefs who lead four of the city’s six Michelin-starred restaurants — Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Musaafer), and Luis Roger (BCN).

Attendees began with Spanish-inspired bites and wine pairings before settling in for a multi-course tasting menu accompanied by Edward Grigassy’s live Spanish guitar performance, creating an evening that felt more Barcelona than Boulevard.

“This event is about more than raising funds — it’s about raising expectations,” said Torras. “Every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and be recognized for their talents. Through hospitality, sport, and community, we are creating pathways that help make that possible.”

The program spotlighted the Genuine Cup’s mission through remarks from Senator Ted Cruz, Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Robert Rule, whose story as a Genuine Cup athlete and Rocambolesc employee reinforced the importance of meaningful employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Throughout the dinners, members of the Genuine Cup community played active roles in the guest experience.

Funds will benefit the Genuine Cup, an international soccer tournament that will bring together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Houston from July 27 - August 1. In total, teams from 50 countries will participate in the event, which is being held at Rice Stadium.

On the scene were Anne and Karl Stern, Ivan Perez, Kathleen Sledge, Tony and Francis Buzbee, Daniel Briones, Albert and Anne Chao, Sammi and Mithu Malick, Michael and Megan Bartz, David and Laura Piccione, William and Constanza Restrepo, Neil and Elizabeth Chapman, Kyle and Erin Cummings, and Heidi and Senator Ted Cruz.

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

chefs fundraisers