Shelby's Social Diary
"The Spirit of Spring" luncheon was a sweet success for the Children'sAssessment Center
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Where to begin? The Children's Assessment Center Foundation 12th annual spring luncheon at the Omni was filled with so many inspiring, entertaining and remarkable moments that choosing one over the other is a daunting task.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect was the $20,000 winning bid that Alejandro Simon made on the magnificent sapphire and pink diamond earrings from Valobra. That generosity came in salute to his wife, Pily Simon, who was luncheon honoree. Jeweler Franco Valobra joined auctioneer Stephen Lewis on stage for that amazing moment. Stephanie Perkins was high bidder on the only other live auction item, picking up the Guerlain hospitality opportunity in Paris for $6,000.
Speaking of Guerlain, the French fragrance firm's national specialist Marie Line Patry delivered an enchanting commentary on the 103-year-old firm while Saks Fifth Avenue presented a stunning fashion presentation coordinated with selected Guerlain perfumes. Applause, applause to Saks fashion director Sylvia Forsythe and fashion events producer Lenny Matuszewski, who together created the delightful show coordinating top designer creations with the aura of selected perfumes. Saks GM Terry Zmyslo was all smiles over the very positive reception to this totally different approach to a fashion show.
We can't say another word without congratulating luncheon chairs Kimberly DeLape, Alicia Smith and Deborah Duncan, who once again as emcee kept the sold-out audience rolling with her clever humor.
As if the turnout of terrific young women weren't enough to get this party energized, the intro song by Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Israel Houghton ignited the crowd which then was reluctant to settle down for CAC executive director Elaine Stolte, who had the serious message of CAC's efforts at stemming child abuse.
Contributing to the day's success were auction chairs Beth Bryant, Nancy Marcus Golden and Lindsey Love, raffle chairs Kim Moody and Rachel Regan, underwriter chairs Susan Boggio and Susan Willliams-Olguin and swag bag chairs Hershey Grace and Bruce Padilla. Add retired Houston Rocket Dikembe Mutombo as special guest who joined the chairs at their table. Leslie Alexander and the Rockets were major underwriters of the luncheon as was H-E-B.
Then there was the lovely collection of lunching ladies — Ericka Bagwell, Lora Clemmons, Megan Sutton-Reed, Becca Cason Thrash, Amy Lee, Lisa Holthouse, Lucinda Loya, Ursaline Hamilton, Mary Smith, Nidhika Mehta, Rosemarie Johnson, Neda Ladjevardian, Jennifer Roosth, Kelly Lubanko and so many others.
