Million Dollar Luncheon

Million dollar luncheon with Mayor and Astros star is a fab freebie for charity's supporters

When Houston Children's Charity founding executive director Laura Ward began planning the organization's 20th anniversary celebration, she wanted it to be a thank you to those who had helped the charity aid more than 1.5 million children and assist more than 300 agencies in its two decades. A freebie was declared.

With generous underwriting from the Hyatt Regency Downtown (where the gala has been held each of those 20 years), Ward was able to pull off a midday miracle. More than 500 guests poured into the hotel ballroom for a three-course lunch, a full court press of thank you's and the promise of a $1 million gift to Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers. And guests didn't have to pay a thing.

Mayor Sylvester Turner presented board chair Tilman Fertitta, board president Penny Loyd and Ward with a proclamation declaring it Houston Children's Charity Day. Houston Astro Carlos Correa, recipient of the Shining Star Award, added his plaudits to praise for HCC.

"HCC takes care of many needs for children," Correa told the gathering, "but the one that I felt was most special and where my work could help the largest amount children was A Better Night’s Sleep.”

Fertitta and his wife, Paige, received the Landry's Inc. Corporate Commitment Award in a long string of honors that included the Voice of Children Award to ABC-13 news anchor Dave Ward, the Lifetime of Giving Award to Sue and Lester Smith, the Spirit of Service Award to John Nau III and Silver Eagle Distributors, the Heart of Houston Award to Trini Mendenhall, the Media Champion Award to Dancie Ware, the Guardian Angels Award to Maria Moncada Alaoui and Tommy Kuranoff of BMW, and the Dedicated Support to Tom Netting of the Hyatt Regency.

Longtime HCC volunteer Carol Sawyer was presented the Making A Difference Award.

Charitable supporters included Dr. David Poplack, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Gary Becker and Tama Lundquist, Paul Loyd, Diane Lokey Farb, Grant Guthrie, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dan D'Armond, Donna Vallone, Susan Sarofim, Wayne Smith and Denny Lyons, Kristina Somerville, Tyson and Tena Lundquist Faust.

Emcee Shelby Hodge, Carol Sawyer.

Houston Children's Charity 20th anniversary, 9/16 Shelby Hodge, Carol Sawyer

Photo by Pete Baatz

Emcee Shelby Hodge, Carol Sawyer.

luncheons

Party Watch

Butterflies and margaritas mark Houston nonprofit's Galentine's luncheon

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jamie Grisson, Kendall Plank, Donna Lewis, Susan Plank, and Jill Lack.

What: Galentine’s Day for Dec My Room

Where: Tootsies and Armandos

The Scoop: Retail therapy met donations in style as more than 130 women kicked off Galentine’s festivities bright and early at Tootsies. The boutique opened its doors for a morning shopping fête featuring pop-ups and trunk shows, with jeweler Angela Mia’s designs quickly becoming the unofficial uniform of the day.

The crowd migrated to Armandos for a seated luncheon where skinny margs and sizzling fajitas kept spirits lively. Founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank mingled while chairs Jamie Grissom and Jill Lack toasted a record-setting afternoon. A short but meaningful program spotlighted Dec My Room’s expansion into more hospitals and the thousands of rooms transformed nationwide.

During the “Butterflies Up” appeal, guests lifted butterfly emblems as a nod to the nonprofit’s logo. Remarks from Kari Lown of Texas Children’s Hospital reinforced just how impactful personalized hospital rooms can be.

More than $125,000 were raised through tables, tickets, donations, and a raffle. After lunch, many floated back to Tootsies for one last look through the racks.

Who: Laurie Krohn, Stacey Lindseth, Donna Lewis, Denise Tinkham, Patrice Alinger, Britney Tribble, Kristin Blomquist, Clare Jackson Sullivan, Jennifer Pinkerton, Lesha Elsenbrook, Laurel Bashaw, Martha Adger Madgett, Tiffany LaRose, Maggie Garza, Jen Brice, Melissa Juneau, Jeannie Chandler, Julia Morales, Chelsea Collmer, Laurie Sanders, Donae Chramosta, Barbara Lack, Lara Lack, Yuni Paufiques, Kim Eschete, Veronica Roa, Kiki Wilson, Noel Wise, and Disney Harris.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jamie Grisson, Kendall Plank, Donna Lewis, Susan Plank, and Jill Lack.

fundraisers dec my room