Shelby's Social Diary

Food trucks, rock climbing & a zip-line turn this Family Day into one toremember for Texas Children's

Zeina and Nijad Fares with their children Sara, Mia, Sonya and Nick chaired theoutdoor fun at the Houston Arboretum.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Charlie Hughes and his mom Joanna Hughes.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
Laura Jones with daughter Lily.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
Andrea and Harry Soper with their children Madison and Michael.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
Harper Grace Smith with her dad Jonathan Smith.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
The party tene was filled with colorful distractions.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
Kent and Debbie Chenevert with their youngsters Drew, Max and Emerson.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
Alan and Michelle Smit with daughters Kendal and Tiffany.
Photo by Travis Schiebel
A petting zoo was part of the afternoon fun.
Photo by Travis Schiebel

Pony rides, a petting zoo and carnival rides — oh my! That was just part of the entertainment at Texas Children's Hospital's Ambassadors Family Day at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. And despite intermittent showers, the kiddos and their parents kept the party spirits high.

Zeina and Nijad Fares chaired the outdoor party (thank goodness for that tent) that drew 485 for the springtime fun.

All those energy-burning distractions including the rock-climbing wall, the zip-line and the center's numerous trails, just right for hiking, worked up youngster and adult appetites that were happily sated by the offerings of five gourmet food trucks that included everything from waffles to burgers to pizza.

In all, there are 1,800 TCH ambassadors, who have raised $6.2 million for hospital programs since its founding in 2010. Family Fun Day benefited the local community through book donations to Texas Children’s Project Medical Homes.

Partaking in the family fun were Debbie and Kent Chenevert, Michael Fertitta, Nidhika Mehta, Michelle and Alan Smith, Andrea and Michael Soper, Beth Wolff and Laura and Steve Jones.

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Winter Dreamscape

Houston nonprofit toasts 35 years with festive North Pole fundraiser

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

If you listened closely, you could almost hear sleigh bells at the Four Seasons Houston, where Trees of Hope transformed a classic ballroom into a wintery dreamscape for its 35th anniversary gala. Themed “Hope Guides the Way – A Journey to the North Pole,” the beloved black-tie affair blended holiday magic with philanthropy, raising $631,000 to benefit the Children’s Critical Care Fund at Star of Hope.

The evening chaired by Lisa Battaglia and Joel Thompson, with support from a roomful of Houston’s big-hearted changemakers, doubled as a tribute to the nonprofit’s Life and Advisory Board Members, those behind-the-scenes elves who’ve powered Trees of Hope’s mission for decades.

Emcee Logan Thomas of Money for the Cause kept the energy high as guests sipped cocktails and sized up the main attraction: A holiday auction packed with eye-catching prizes. Think twinkling Christmas trees curated like runway models, including two donated by CrafTex, alongside baubles from Diamonds Direct, exclusive getaways, and original artwork. Yes, Santa himself made an appearance, lending extra jolly to an evening already brimming with cheer.

“We are honored to support Star of Hope’s Children’s Critical Care Fund and proud to mark 35 years of Trees of Hope making a difference,” said Lisa Barth, Trees of Hope president. That legacy is no small feat. The organization has gifted more than $11.9 million over the years, helping Houston’s most vulnerable children and families find light during dark times.

This year’s proceeds will fund critical programs at Star of Hope, Houston’s longest-standing mission for the homeless, ensuring that kids in crisis have access to stability, support, and a better shot at the future.

Seen on the scene were Kellie and Lee Brumbaugh, Carly West, Brooke Stuckey, Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, Blaire Johnson, Trisha and Alex Figaro, Dena and Omar Musfy, April and Enrique Cruz, Carissa and Hans Barcus, Adrienne and Michael Suttle, Kory and Geoff Blum, Doug Meikle, Whitney and Andrew Touchstone, Sara Black, DeeDee Marsh, Kelly Boyd, Sara Jane Wilson, Alina Schrom, Donna Grehn, Emily Goolsby, Lesha Elsenbrook, Jo Ann Petersen, Nancy Walker, Andrea Dulany, and Kathrin Yokubaitis.

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

fundraisers trees of hope