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    Party Watch

    Welcome to the jungle: Partygoers have a wild time at glow-in-the-dark gala for literacy

    Marcy de Luna
    Sep 25, 2017 | 12:10 pm

    A sold-out crowd of 250 took a walk on the wild side at the third annual Jungle Book Gala, held in the lush setting of glass-enclosed event space, The Dunlavy at Buffalo Bayou Park.

     

    Along with dancing late into the night to tunes spun by DJ Ivan, guests mingled with a stilt walker clad in a zebra costume while sipping cocktails and enjoying light bites.

     

    The fun-filled evening, presented by Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Young Professionals Group along with co-chairs Alexa Bode and William Finnorn and honorary chair Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus, was all for a good cause: The event raised more than $80,000 for the purchase of new home libraries for children affected by Hurricane Harvey.

     

    Guests at the black tie affair added a pop of vibrant color thanks to glow-in-the-dark necklaces handed out, each representing a home library purchased on the night.

     

    Proceeds from a silent auction with items ranging from an exotic seven-day trip to Costa Rica to footballs signed by Texans Whitney Mercilus and J.J. Watt, contributed to the total amount raised.

     

    The focus of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation is to improve the quality of life for Houston residents through the power of literacy, and the organization’s Young Professionals Group goal is to engage the next generation of Houston’s leaders in the literacy cause.

     

    Spotted at the soiree were: Maria Bush, Wilner and Yvrose Mercilus, Wade Smith, Lucas Somoza, Nick Lovitt, Matt Vandever, Michael Mandola, Brittany Guarglia, Lauren and Roy Sweeney, Courtney Blackburn, Sally and Ed Thayer, Fidel Garza, Madeline Matthews, and Kimberly Lombardino.

     

    Nick Lovitt, Fidel Garza, Madeline Matthews, Michael Mandola.

    Houston, Jungle Book Gala, Sept. 2017, Nick Lovitt, Fidel Garza, Madeline Matthews, Michael Mandola
      
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Nick Lovitt, Fidel Garza, Madeline Matthews, Michael Mandola.
    fundraisers
    news/society

    Stories Preserved

    Texas stories shine at record-setting San Jacinto fundraiser

    Joel Luks
    Jul 8, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    San Jacinto Museum fundraiser dinner 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    The Pitt Family (Sarita Francis , Stephen Pitt, Sr , Stephen Pitt, Jr, and Allegra Hawkins) with Mike Lamb and Sarita Hixon.

    Timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, the San Jacinto Day Dinner gathered history buffs, philanthropists, and community leaders for an evening of reflection and celebration at the Houston Country Club.

    As the San Jacinto Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, the April dinner set a new record, raising more than $300,000 in support of the museum’s operations and educational programming.

    The evening honored two standout contributors to Texas historical preservation. Brandon Seale received the inaugural Brandon Seale Award, which recognized his impactful work in sharing Texas stories through writing, scholarship, and public history. Seale also delivered the evening’s keynote, offering thoughtful insight into the forces that shaped the state, blending humor, historical depth, and storytelling to forge a compelling connection between past and present.

    The Pitt Family was also celebrated for their enduring support of the museum and their commitment to preserving the state’s historical legacy. Their recognition underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to protect and promote Texas’ complex narrative.

    Among those in attendance were Coble Jorgensen, Mike Lamb, Nancy Burch, Sarah J. Pitt, Sarita and Jake Francis, Allegra and Hunter Hawkins, Stephen Pitt Jr., Stephen Pitt Sr., Katie and Paul Barnhart, Anne and Stephen Brollier, Mia Brous, Kimberly and Austin Davis, Rachel and Austin Gilbert, Windi and David Grimes, Coble and Jeff Jorgensen, Lisa and Will Mathis, Kathleen and Townes Pressler, and Carson and Arthur Seelingson.

    San Jacinto Museum fundraiser dinner 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    The Pitt Family (Sarita Francis , Stephen Pitt, Sr , Stephen Pitt, Jr, and Allegra Hawkins) with Mike Lamb and Sarita Hixon.

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