a bite for crime stoppers
Houstonians who make the city safer honored at annual awards ceremony
What: Crime Stoppers Heroes Awards Luncheon
Where: Royal Sonesta Hotel
The scoop: More than 430 guests joined Crime Stoppers of Houston at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for their annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon. The event honored and celebrated community members who have made Houston and surrounding counties a safer place to live, work, learn, and play.
The gathering, which serves as a vital fundraiser for Crime Stoppers, raised more than $145,000 to directly fund the critical crime prevention programs and public safety initiatives delivered by the non-profit in our communities and schools.
Dana Tyson, host of Sunny 99.1 Morning Show lent her support as the mistress of ceremonies and led the festivities, which included opening remarks from Houston media icon Dave Ward, a blessing from Sister Jane Meyer with St. Agnes Academy, followed by remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious.
The luncheon presented distinguished awards to Constable Ted Heap, Harris County Precinct 5, Senator Joan Huffman, Former Crime Stoppers Chairman Fenner Weller, Senator John Whitmire, Representative John Zerwas, M.D., Alan Helfman of the Helfman dealerships, Scott Aronstein, president of Connectivity Source, and Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, The Vintage Contessa.
Alan Helfman announced that he was gifting Crime Stoppers a brand new 2018 Dodge Ram. This gift will allow their ‘Safe School Institute’ team to continue to grow and serve many more children.
Civic and law enforcement officials in attendance included Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston Director of Homeland Security George Buenik, Commissioner Jack Cagle, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, FBI Special Agent in Charge Perrye Turner, Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen, Pasadena Police Assistant Chief K. Wingerson, Houston Police Department Lieutenant Tiffany Jefferson, Harris County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Tim Navarre,Harris County Fire Marshall Laurie Christensen,Council members Jack Christie, Michael Kubosh, Mike Knox and Brenda Stardig, and Senator John Whitmire.
Also seen were Russell Gordy, Fred Zeidman, Dave and Laura Ward,Crime Stoppers chairman Hazem Ahmed, Lauren and Reese Weller, Hillary and Blake Helfman, Steve Mach, Jerri Duddlesten Moore, Charlene Slack, Vicki Rizzo, Brigitte Kalai, Sippi Khurana, Maha Rasheed, Susan Boggio, Tama Lundquist, Tena Faust, Mandy Kao, Joy Sewing, Ugo Tombolini, Twila Carter, Jeff Vaden, BJ and Joe Hudson, Sherri Zucker and Brittany Zucker, Melissa Davis, John Crapitto, Yvette Webb, Linda Adkins, Austin Arceneaux and Jacquie Baly.