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.
