party watch

Houstonians give back for the global good at the Aga Khan Foundation Gala

What:Aga Khan Foundation’s 2018 Houston Gala

Where: Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Scoop: More than 200 guests joined gala co-chairs Honorable Erum Jivani-Gillani and Saul and Lisa Valentin, and sponsor the Greater Houston Retail Association (GHRA), at the Aga Khan Foundation’s Houston Banquet. The sold-out gala brought together key civic, community, and philanthropic members to raise more than $200,000 for and awareness of the Aga Khan Foundation.

Founded in 1967, the Aga Khan Foundation, or AKF, is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest international development organizations. The Foundation partners with local communities in some of the most remote places in Africa and Asia to build better futures together.

The crowd enjoyed entertainment from Delhi-based rock group, Zikrr Band, with support from local deejay, DJ Zee. ESPN 97.5's Houston’s Raheel Ramzanali emceed the evening that brought attention to AKF’s work across the globe.

Who: The Honorable Alexis Andres, Consul General of France; Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau; Fahim Somani; Isiah Carey; Pooja Lodhia;Aga Khan Foundation CEO Aleem Walji; President of His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States Murad Ajani; Brad Parsons; Patrick Albro; Faiza Khoja; AKF Southwest vice chair Aly Valiani; Alim Adatia; Alisha Adatia; Raheel Ramzanali; The Honorable Erum Jivani-Gillani; Saul and Lisa Valentin; Khuram Virani; Jatin and Megna Patel; Liza Masloff Carlos; Tajddin Momin; and Firdous Ali.

Sebastien Boileau, Julia Lev, Liza Masloff Carlos and gala guest.

Photo courtesy of the Aga Khan Gala

Sebastien Boileau, Julia Lev, Liza Masloff Carlos and gala guest.

fundraisers

raising glasses

Wine and dine raises spirits for Houston's Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities wine and dine fundraiser 2024

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

An evening of fine dining and philanthropy unfolded at The Revaire for the 2024 Wine and Dine Dinner, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on November 16. With wine glasses in hand and wallets wide open, the stylish and pious savored a night dedicated to lifting up the most vulnerable in the community.

Co-chairs Mikki Hebl and David E. Harvey, Jr., alongside Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, welcomed the crowd, which included His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who blessed the meal. The highlight? A four-course feast by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with wines selected to enhance each bite.

An interactive twist with the secret sip challenge surely added a playful element. Attendees worked together to identify the mystery wine — a 2015 Merite Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia’s Wrattonbully region.

But the night wasn’t just about indulgence. The live auction, emceed by Johnny Bravo, and a moving “fund a need” segment inspired oenophiles to dig deep for Catholic Charities’ programs. Last year, the organization served people in need 358,000 times across Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, providing essentials like food, housing assistance, and legal aid for immigrants.

Generous support came from sponsors like the Hildebrand Foundation, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Cuenod Families.

Wining and dining were Alicia Reggie Freysinger, Cynthia Nunes Colbert, Penny and Paul Layne, Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung, Ashley and Doug Plaeger, Sandi and Jim Lemming, Carol and Paul Beck, Louise and Bob Parsley, Avalyn Langemeier, Suzanne Werner, Amie Springmeyer, Lori Hessel, Ginger Niemann, Peggy Idstein, Karina and Mark Amelang,and Ellen and Jim Ginty.

Photo by Johnny Than

Alicia Reggie Freysinger, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Catholic Charities President Cynthia Nunes Colbert.

catholic charities of the archdiocese of galveston-houston fundraisers