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Legendary Apollo 13 astronaut joins hep Houstonians for $600,000 Be An Angel Gala

Mandy Weydeck, Dan Pastorini, Dr. Laura Shiplett

Mandy Weydeck, Dan Pastorini, and Dr. Laura Shiplett.

Photo courtesy of Be An Angel Gala

Cool cats and Pink Ladies packed The Revaire for the annual Be An Angel Awards Gala, which this year boasted a Grease theme. More than 400 guests showed up for the sock hop event decked out in bobby socks and tennis shoes, Pink Lady Sandy satin jackets, and polka dot dresses.

Reminiscing on old times, attendees perused the more than 80 silent auction items and snapped selfies of their epic costumes. Legendary Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise was spotted among the crowd.

As for the silent auction, the live event brought in more than $600,000 for Be An Angel, which aims to improve the quality of life for children with multiple disabilities or profound deafness by providing needed adaptive equipment and select services.

Hot items up for grabs included three European trips and a rare bottle of Old Van Winkle 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that sold for $11,000. The Wine & Whiskey Pull of more than 176 bottles sold out within 30 minutes.

Event chairs Dot and Walter Cunningham joined dinner chairs were The Honorable Dan Patrick and Mrs. Jan Patrick. Emcee Sam Malone introduced Be An Angel’s executive director, Marti Boone, who presented the 2022 Angel Award to Oticon, a technology company that provides hearing technology for the special needs children Be An Angel services. Oticon’s director, Dr. Laura Shiplet was on hand to accept the award.

After a sumptuous dinner, guests were treated to the swing and rockabilly stylings of the award-winning dance troupe Dance Force.

Seen getting their ’50s on were: Paul and Kristina Somerville, Dr. Laura Shiplett, Dr. Mandy Weydeck, Judy and Ron Girotto, Marissa and Chris Kiefer, Dan Pastorini and Pam Morse, Judy and Chuck Cauthorn, Bob and Michele Chiste, George and Jan Pilko, Ray and Veronica Solcher, Steve and Mary Schmidt, Joel and Sunshine Rogers, Ann and Ron Bennett, Jessica Forsdick, Bob and Glenna Leonard, Bruce and Beth Leonard, Cary and Veronica Benson, Ross and Lisa Astramecki, Chuck and Judy Cauthorn, and Jerry Dearing.

galas

Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers