Party Watch

Human rights organization celebrates opening of new Houston office

What: Cocktail reception marking the opening of Human Rights First Houston office.

Where: In the new offices at South Texas College of Law.

The 411: More than 120 business and media professionals, politicians and academics came out to celebrate the official opening of Human Rights First's Houston office. The independent advocacy and action organization pairs volunteer attorneys with refugees seeking asylum and aids them in navigating the complicated immigration court system. The opening of the new Houston location marks the organization's first expansion in more than 20 years. It also has offices in Washington D.C. and New York City.

Texas native Elisa Massimino, president and CEO of Human Rights First, welcomed the crowd, along with South Texas College of Law Dean Donald Guter and Human Rights First board member David Matthews. The Human Rights First Houston office has been up and running for about a month and the organization has trained more than 90 volunteer lawyers.

Who: Rice University president David Leebron and Y. Ping Sun,State Rep. Gene Wu, Ashley Kaper, E. William Barnett, Monty and Marla Briscoe, Christine LaFollette, Nancy MacKimm, Houston Rights First Board of Advoates members Allen Matusow, Peggy Matthews, Alan Crain, and GordonQuan, Patrica Guter, Sylvia Quan, Hawa Hassan, Omar Osman, Yani Keo, Benito Juarez, Azeb Yusef, Mary Hedahl and Rudeina Baasiri.

Elisa Massimino, from left, and David Matthews.

Elisa Massimino and David Matthews at Human Rights First office launch

Photo courtesy of Human Rights First

Elisa Massimino, from left, and David Matthews.

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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