Texans at the Table

Plenty of beef and beefcake as Houston Texans Team Luncheon kicks off exciting football season

It's seldom that you get all of the Houston Texans and all of their coaches together in any place other than the locker room or the team plane. But once a year the Team Luncheon does just that when it's a total Texan turnout along with team sponsors and invited fans.

The 13th annual fundraiser, hosted by Amegy Bank of Texas, filled the ballroom of the Omni Houston Hotel on Tuesday with the beefy players, coaches and sponsors, raising $250,000 for the Houston Texans Foundation.

The mood was, of course, upbeat with optimism served along with a healthy lunch. "We're looking forward to a great year," Texans owner Bob McNair told the gathering. "We are excited about the direction of this team."

Coach Bill O'Brien also spoke promising, "We are going to give you guys a very competitive, good football team this year."

Each table was headlined by a Texans player and lucky the folks who were seated with linebacker Whitney Mercilus. For that player was recipient of the Spirit of the Bull award, recognized for his commitment to excellence on the field and in the community.

Joining the team, coaches, cheerleaders, and Toro were Scott McLean, Hannah and Cal McNair, Janice McNair, Gary Petersen, Trini Mendenhall, Bill Hurt, Grey Tyler, Corey Moore, Karen Winston, Marc Vandemeer and just about everyone but TV ad star J.J. Watt.

Bob McNair presents Whitney Mercilus with the Spirit of the Bull award.

Texans Team Luncheon 8/16 Bob McNair, Whitney Mercilus

Bob McNair presents Whitney Mercilus with the Spirit of the Bull award.

fundraisers houston-texans

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