What: Tree of Life Gala.
Where: River Oaks Country Club.
The scoop: Nearly 400 guests turned out for the ninth annual Tree of Life Gala at River Oaks Country Club, chaired by Julieand Casey Doherty, alongside Catherine and Richard Zdunkewicz. Emceed by 99.1 FM radio personality Dana Tyson, the fun-filled event included wine and jewelry pulls, a delicious dinner and an array of desserts, and a live auction with items from golf and fishing excursions to a birthday party package with a baseball clinic for 20 conducted by Astros pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. and two 12-week black Labrador puppies, who the winning bidders named Nicky and Buster.
One of the precious pups was auctioned off twice, as the original high bidder donated it back, to boost the final proceeds by $6,000. In all, the gala brought in more than $280,000 for the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, a local nonprofit working to change mental health care in Texas.
Who: Seen in the crowd were Janelle Reid, Judy Ann McCartney, Brenda and Patrick Hicks, Rhonda Ward, Sara Eggleston, Mary Magness Hand, Audrey Omenson, Carla Dawson, Lauren Gow, Audrey Gow, Stephen Maeker, Christy Maeker, and Susan Finnegan.
Terrell Finnegan Branch hugs the 12-week black Labrador puppy.
