Party Watch

Planned Parenthood celebrates one of most successful galas in its 99-year history

After months of being buffeted by right-wing critics, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast hosted one its largest and most successful galas ever at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Saturday night.

Ironically, one of the organization's fiercest critics, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson was holding a fundraiser in a meeting room at the hotel at the same time.

But that didn't deter more than 400 black tie guests from celebrating the organization's 99th anniversary with a "Generation to Generation" theme and affirming its commitment to offer comprehensive, affordable reproductive health care despite such opposition.

Normally the quiet one, honorary co-chair Matthew Burrus stepped in when his husband, Michael Pearce, unexpectedly became ill and had to miss the gala, and moved the audience with passionate remarks about the impact Planned Parenthood has had on the lives of his family, with support of stem cell research to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, ALS and diabetes.

Co-chair Anika Jackson also earned a thunderous ovation when recounting a personal story about the effect of Planned Parenthood services on her life.

"Unfortunately in your generation and the ones before you and in my generation and the ones that follow me, the fight has not been won," she said. "We are still fighting for access to basic health care services for people. We thank all of you for being for Planned Parenthood no matter what."

The rest of the evening wasn't nearly so serious as the black-tie crowd, including Mayor Annise Parker and first lady Kathy Hubbard, filled the dance floor to the dynamic tunes of Dysfunkshun Junction.

Also spotted in the crowd were co-chair Dena Winkler (she and Jackson wore matching gowns designed by David Peck), State Representative Gene Wu, Tammy Dowe, Kelly Amen, Rita Lucido, Staci Henderson and Dr. Quang Henderson, Farida Abjani, Edward Sanchez and Enid Sanchez, Dr. Roland Maldonado, Lainie Gordon and David Mincberg, Michele Mullin, and Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast president and CEO Melaney A. Linton.

Dena Winkler,Farida Abjani, Anika Jackson.

Photo by Todd Parker

Dena Winkler,Farida Abjani, Anika Jackson.

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Safety First

Houston spirit shines as Crime Stoppers gala raises $2 million

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

Big hats met big-hearted giving at The Revaire as Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted its Second Annual “Raise ’Em Up for Texas” Gala, presented by Glenda and Russell Gordy and the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Family Fund

The evening unfolded like a Texas-sized toast guided by gala chairs Brooke Lee, Dana Barton, and Kristen Collins, and lifted further by strategic chairs Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff.

More than 460 guests filled the sprawling venue, welcomed first by a festive happy hour and a bustling silent auction. Master of ceremonies Johnny Bravo kicked things into gear as guests settled in, followed by remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, who championed the crowd’s shared commitment to keeping Houston safe.

Speaker Maurine Molak, co-founder of the David’s Legacy Foundation shared the story of her son, whose life was cut short at 16 after enduring relentless cyberbullying. She illuminated the gap in resources available to families at the time and the sweeping efforts that eventually led to David’s Law. Her partnership with Crime Stoppers through The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Million for Million campaign has already reached more than two million students, continuing David’s legacy by empowering young Texans to seek safety, support, and hope.

A surprise presentation of the Second McIngvale Family Humanitarian Award honored Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation for their community-wide compassion. Accepting on their behalf was Catarina Bill.

Then came a major announcement: The creation of a new Crime Stoppers Women’s Collective, a group of 50 women stepping into a leadership role for 2026, along with an ambitious push to educate 10 million Texas students and the launch of SafeSpace Student Hub, a digital platform designed to give students a confidential place to seek guidance.

Nobody’s Fool closed out the night with plenty of two-stepping as supporters lingered, celebrating a mission-driven evening that raised a record-breaking $2 million.

Showing up in full Texas spirit were Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Hallie Vanderhider, Sippy and Ajay Khurana, Tom Ramsey, Noe Diaz, Ben Katrib, Twila Carter, Willie Davis, Fred Flickinger, Mary Nan Huffman, Julian Ramirez, Alan Rosen, Terry Allbritton, Emily DeToto, Lori DeAngelo, Peyton Peebles, Aaron Burdette, Lance Long, Dan Simons, Carolyn Dozier, Ken Wise, Tiffany Herd, Eric and Lisa Elder, Alex and Tammy Janos, Kari Lynd, Natalie and Steve Mohtashami, Kyle and Erin Cummings, Snehal Amin and Adrienne Amin, Jessica Leeke, Carla and Tony Maarraoui, Karen and Lohn Zylicz, Frank and Jill Stagg, Robert and Dana Clay, Catherine and Peter Badger, Pam Connealy, Mayes and Macy Middleton, Megan and Walker Weston, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Seth and Hannah Siegel-Gardner, Anna Reger, Sheri Zucker, Trini Mendenhall, Phillip Royalty, Jeff Nadalo, Farida Abjani, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Omar Alaoui, Susan Boggio, Deborah Duncan, and Laura Ward.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

fundraisers crime stoppers houston