There are few, if any, homes in River Oaks lovelier than the French-flavored abode of Terri and John Havens and the couple has been more than generous in sharing their chateau splendor with numerous non-profits. The most recent gathering was for sponsors of the Celebration of Reading, a cocktail gathering that held a special surprise for Barbara Bush.
It was, after all, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the literacy fundraiser, now chaired by Maria and Neil Bush, and the 25th anniversary of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
As guests including Annette and George Strake and Soraya and Scott McClelland mingled on the terrace on the beautiful spring night, the Havens and their friends Kim and Chuck Watson prepared their surprise — an $80,000 check for her literacy foundation. The families presented the check to the former first lady in a brief ceremony that had the gathering cheering including Celebration of Reading presenting authors Eric Blehm and Christina Baker Kline.
Applauding this generous effort that helped move the fundraiser toward $3 million were Roxanne and Tim Neumann, Nathalie and Charles Roff, Kara and Ray Childress, Betty and John Hrncir, P.C. Havens, Sidney Faust, Rhonda and Michael Graff, Joanie and Don Haley, Cathy and Rivie Cary, Paige Fertitta, Karen Thompson and Deanna Barton.
Terri Havens, from left, Barbara Bush and John Havens.
