Here Comes The Sun

Houston Texans defensive end wins big at IW Marks Charity Challenge and brings special date

Houston Texans defensive end Christian Covington brought a very special "plus one" to the recent Guy’s Night Out party at IW Marks Jewelers. Covington won the IW Marks Love Mom Charity Challenge on behalf of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, his charity of choice during the month-long campaign, and celebrated the win with his mother, Natalie Covington, on his arm.

Covington, a long-time supporter of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, raised awareness for the organization he first experienced while a student at Rice University. After seeing the cancer struggle his friend and fellow student James Ragan went through, Covington dedicated his efforts to volunteering for the non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer by providing positive group activities, free of charge, and emotional support.

“To have met a man like him who was so brave and courageous during his time at Rice truly inspired me to become more involved with The Sunshine Kids. After his passing, I became even more so invested,” Covington said. “Each and every child that I've met has left an imprint on my heart that I know will not leave me for the rest of my days.”

He also chose the charity as a way to honor his mother, who has been a source of support and encouragement in his life. “I am just so thrilled to be able to do this for the kids and appreciate being involved in the charity challenge,” Covington said.

The IW Loves Mom Charity Challenge is an annual event spotlighting prominent Houstonians and the organizations they support. Fans are encouraged to vote daily on CultureMap during the month-long campaign and the winning charity receives a donation of $2,500 from Brad and Joanna Marks.

"Community is important to us and we are grateful for the opportunity to support Christian and the Sunshine Kids Foundation," Brad Marks said. "It's an annual tradition and we appreciate everyone who voted for all of the charities in the challenge. We're already looking forward to next year."

The evening was definitely a celebration of life’s finer things including luxury cars from Rolls Royce Houston and Post Oak Bentley of Houston, exclusive offerings by Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Hudson Baby Bourbon, plus rye cocktails. The Briar Shoppe was on hand with an array of rare cigars, and models decked out in diamonds from IW Marks Jewelers and summer dresses from Tootsies mingled in the crowd.

Those in the Guy's Night Out crowd included Austin Alves, Matt Hibbets, Marc Vandermeer, Michael Yafi, David Hartland, Kevin Loeffler, Scott Thelander, Jason Hebert, Preston Ludwig and Jennifer Wisler, Rita Suchma, and Jenni Cash from the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

Brad Marks, right, presented a check to Christian Covington, second from right, on behalf of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, Covington's charity of choice as part of the IW Marks Love Mom Charity Challenge.

$Christian Covington, Brad Marks Sunshine KidsGuy\u2019s Night Out party at IW Marks Jewelers$

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Brad Marks, right, presented a check to Christian Covington, second from right, on behalf of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, Covington's charity of choice as part of the IW Marks Love Mom Charity Challenge.

charity-challenge

Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

fundraisers celebrities