A group of distinguished and accomplished Houston gentlemen recently rocked M Penner’s runway in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 17 handsome heroes took to the catwalk in Uptown Park as part of the reveal of the Real Men Wear Pink kickoff, in which 60 local men have committed to raising a minimum $2,500 each.
More than 200 guests packed the show as the models, including Gow Media CEO David Gow, pulled off their best moves. After the show, co-chair Ben Rose went from suave host to auctioneer, boldly asking the enthusiastic crowd to help reach their $100,000 goal. A polite bidding battle ensued — many of the models joined in — with $10,000 raised on the spot for the American Cancer Society’s educational and research programs.
Before the event started, the campaign had already raised $75,000. With the sudden influx of donations, Rose and his mother-in-law (and co-chair) Leisa Holland-Nelson then upped the ante, raising the goal to $150,000. (As of October 1, the campaign has raised $91,872.) The gentleman who raises the most money during the month of October (some brave soles have pledged to wear pink every daily) will be crowned Man of the Year.
Those who want to spread the love can donate to the cause and hit up The Pink Party, which will raise funds and awareness for the Real Men Wear Pink/The American Cancer Society campaigns. The chic soiree will feature light bites, craft cocktails, and hot tunes at Shops at Arrive (formerly West Avenue).
The model men included Peter Remington, Brad Marks, Jason Cage, Benny Gates, Bill Baldwin, Bruce Padilla, Dan D’Armond, David Peck, Joe Davis, Joe Francisco, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, and Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.
Also in the crowd were Cyndy Garza Roberts, Monica and Joe Casiano, Shelly Reeves, Vicki Merwin, Ileana and Michael Trevino, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Tamara Klosz Bonar and Lenny Matuszewski, Lisa Appleby, Ginger Baldwin, and Fady Armanious.
Candidate Benny Gates.
