Shelby's Social Diary

Shooting and the Wizard of Oz collide in a $715,000 day for Child Advocates

Photo by Kim Coffman
The crew from the Wizard of Oz led guests down the yellow brick road.
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman
Photo by Kim Coffman

Child Advocates enjoyed a double-barreled fundraiser last Saturday as the day began with a sporting clays tournament at American Shooting Centers and concluded with a Wizard of Oz-themed party at the Bayou City Event Center and with more than $715,000 to show for it.

As many as 400 guys and gals signed up for the shooting competition, sponsored by Spark Energy, that included two-man flush and multiple-trap flurry games, breakfast and lunch. Taking home top shooting honors were Eli English, Kate McConnico and the Spark Energy team comprised of Nathan Kroeker, Mel Parks, Ricky Wright, Zach Kienbaum and Brad Kidd.

There was ample time for those Child Advocates supporters to head home, change into party clothes and join the dinner dance for 850. The 20th anniversary sporting clays was chaired by Rhonda Brown and Tracy Eklund with Michelle Maresh chairing the "Emerald City" bash that evening. The fundraiser honored Apache Corp.

Key players in the day included shoot co-chairs Jeff Birmingham and Bernadette Alvarez, auction chairs Sheryl and Joel Androphy, team sales chair Rick Burnett, wine pull chairs Eddy De Los Santos and Dolly Dawson Thomas and volunteer chairs Becky Brusen and John Lupomech.

Following the yellow brick road were Kari and Mark Parsons, Janice and Charlie Hall, Donelle and Hill Dishman, Laura and Vineet Bhatia, Claudine and George Boutros, Vanessa and Perry Sendukas, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Kim and Scott David, Katie Cullen and Dolly Dawson and Jeff Thomas.

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raising glasses

Wine and dine raises spirits for Houston's Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities wine and dine fundraiser 2024

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

An evening of fine dining and philanthropy unfolded at The Revaire for the 2024 Wine and Dine Dinner, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on November 16. With wine glasses in hand and wallets wide open, the stylish and pious savored a night dedicated to lifting up the most vulnerable in the community.

Co-chairs Mikki Hebl and David E. Harvey, Jr., alongside Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, welcomed the crowd, which included His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who blessed the meal. The highlight? A four-course feast by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with wines selected to enhance each bite.

An interactive twist with the secret sip challenge surely added a playful element. Attendees worked together to identify the mystery wine — a 2015 Merite Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Wrattonbully region.

But the night wasn’t just about indulgence. The live auction, emceed by Johnny Bravo, and a moving “fund a need” segment inspired oenophiles to dig deep for Catholic Charities’ programs. Last year, the organization served people in need 358,000 times across Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, providing essentials like food, housing assistance, and legal aid for immigrants.

Generous support came from sponsors like the Hildebrand Foundation, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Cuenod Families.

Wining and dining were Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Penny and Paul Layne, Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung, Ashley and Doug Plaeger, Sandi and Jim Lemming, Carol and Paul Beck, Louise and Bob Parsley, Avalyn Langemeier, Suzanne Werner, Amie Springmeyer, Lori Hessel, Ginger Niemann, Peggy Idstein, Karina and Mark Amelang,and Ellen and Jim Ginty.

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston fundraisers