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    Million Dollar Luncheon

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

    Shelby Hodge
    Oct 4, 2016 | 10:00 am

    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
    news/society

    Ode to Heidi

    Versailles-themed luncheon celebrates Houston nonprofit's record season

    Joel Luks
    Jul 4, 2025 | 11:30 am
    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
    Photo by Jacob Powers
    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    She dreamed aloud of goals so high, With passion shining in her eye.

    Houston Symphony League Versailles luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Powers

    Angelica Ximenes Chapman, Tracy Faulkner, Mahzad Mohajer, Fatimeh Mehdi, and Parissa Mohajer.

    So began the tribute to Heidi Rockecharlie, president of the Houston Symphony League, during the annual President’s Luncheon. Held in the shimmering ballroom of Lakeside Country Club, the event — this year themed Bienvenue à Versailles — blended regal French flourishes with a heartfelt spirit, and capped a record-breaking season with flourish and flair.

    League supporters turned out in full fashionable force, with chairs Beth Wolff and Saula Valente orchestrating a picturesque après-midi amid lavender-and-white floral candelabras by Simply Saula. The atmosphere struck a delicate chord: Equal parts elegance and intimacy. Guests laughed, mingled, and clinked glasses, while the hosts alternated verses from a custom-written poem that honored Rockecharlie’s tenure. It was both lighthearted and lyrical, just like its muse.

    She led with heart, with fire, with flair. And left her legacy everywhere.

    The highlight, as always, came with the president’s address, when Rockecharlie shared the year’s financial gift to the Symphony: A donation of more than $193,000 net of expenses.

    That figure is thanks to a series of strategic moves under Rockecharlie’s leadership: A cost-cutting sponsorship program, expansion of the league’s icon event, and a fresh push for membership.

    She said, “Let’s grow, let’s aim anew.” And guess what? That dream came true

    She then passed the baton to incoming president Leslie Nossaman, who previewed her board and vision for the upcoming term. And Donna Mello, 2024's Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year, introduced this year's honoree, Susan Osterberg.

    The celebration closed with an avalanche of gratitude and gifts. Rockecharlie received a magnum of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne by 50 Cent, a Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs scarf, and a crystal award featuring artwork from the Icon event.

    Among those in the crowd were Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider, Ellie Francisco, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Alicia Maguire Smith, Heidi Turney, Andrew Cordes, Kathi Rovere, Diane Gendel, Sharon Brier, Jerre Parsons Williams, Diane Roederer, Susan Binney, Kinga Ferguson, Elizabeth Condit, Helen Shaffer, Mary Sage, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett, Nick Rockecharlie, Yoon Smith, and Danny Nguyen.

    houston symphonyfundraisers
    news/society
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