Spirit of Spring
Surprise half-million dollar gift wows crowd at benefit luncheon featuring top designer
Of all the things that the ladies might have expected from the Children's Assessment Center's annual "Spirit of Spring" fashion show and luncheon, it wasn't Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia delivering a check for $500,000, monies secured from the sheriff office's Asset Forfeiture Fund. But that's exactly what occurred.
Garcia delivered the larger-than-life check, the funds earmarked for CAC's capital campaign, and earned a standing ovation from the 460 supporters filling the ballroom of the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
That was icing on the cake for the event that raised $330,000 for CAC's role in healing children who are victims of sexual abuse. While the luncheon had its serious tone, including a speech bySasha Joseph Neulingeron his victimization by family members, there were high notes as well.
It was a sister act for chairs Joanna Hartland Marks, Hannah Hartland McNair and Monica Hartland Blaisdell. The beautiful trio led luncheon leadership that included auction chair Diane Caplan, emcee Dominique Sachse, auctioneer Stephen C. Lewis and CAC executive director Elaine Stolte.
Entertainment highlight of the luncheon was the Neiman Marcus fashion presentation, introduced by NM GM Bob Devlin, of designs by Dallas native Lela Rose, who flew in from New York for the show and the pop-up shot of her feminine fashions in the ballroom lobby.
Lending their support were Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson, Lisa Malosky, Heather Crosswell, Amy Lee, Beth Muecke, Vivian Wise, Ericka Bagwell, Kate Stukenburg, Elizabeth Petersen, Megan Sutton-Reed, Brady Crosswell, Cricket DeWalch, Rebecca Hixon and Amanda and Stan Abiassi.