Shelby's Social Diary
Good works elicit tears and joy, of course, at Tootsies fashion lunch
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Jewelry designer Jill Reno, right, tries one of her necklaces on Lori Claypoolat Tootsies.Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
- Photo by Gary Fountain
Social stars Susan Plank and Ursaline Hamilton rounded up the first fine-feathered posse of the season (we're pretending that summer is over) at Tootsies on Thursday for the Dec My Room benefit lunch.
It was a midday gathering featuring air kisses, post-holiday reunions, fall fashion and tears all around.
The sentimental moments came when Plank discussed how she and Shelly Barineau first launched their non-profit that decorates and personalizes the hospital rooms of seriously ill children. For the past two and a half years, Plank and Barineau have headed the special entity that has transformed more than 200 otherwise cold hospital rooms into childhood fantasies at Texas Children's Cancer Center and in Mattel Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Next month, the two are taking their program to Sloan Kettering in New York.
The most touching and therefore weepiest moment came when Hamilton surprised Plank with a visit from the very first young patient whose room she had decorated — J.B. Glennon of Austin. He had been in Texas Children's for a bone marrow transplant.
Planks' daughter Kendall had suggested that the family do something to make the youngster feel at home during his Houston hospital stay. This first effort was so gratifying that Plank, with the help of Barineau, formed Dec My Room, enlisting donors and volunteers to take on the joyful commitment.
Overall, it was an upbeat midday schmooze for a room full of well-dressed ladies who were wild about the gazpacho and pasta primavera from Michael Cordua Catering.
Applause, applause all around to the JE and LE Mabee Foundation, which covered the costs of the event therefore sending all monies to the charity. Same for Tootsies owner Mickey Rosmarin, who dedicated 15 percent of everything sold that day to the non-profit. And the ladies were gushing over the $50 gift card that came in the goodie bags.