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.
