Maybe the Holiday Shopping Card brought the Houston Astros good luck. After losing three straight games to the New York Yankees in the ALCS, the Astros headed home and star second baseman Jose Altuve headed to Highland Village Thursday where a kickoff party to tout the shopping card that benefits the American Cancer Society was going on.
And suddenly the team's fortunes changed as they swept the Yankees in the final two games to advance to the World Series on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Altuve, who happened to be picking up dinner at Escalantes in the shopping center when he noticed the event, joined Grammy-nominated singer Mary Griffin, American Idol alum Vincent Power, the Texans cheerleaders and mascot, Toro the Bull, Miss Teen Houston Yasmine Moussa, and Miss Houston Hannah Johannes to celebrate the launch with live music and a fireworks show.
Singer Bubba McNeely entertained the audience from a stage in the parking lot near the JCrew store while whimsical costumed characters and aerialists from J&D Entertainment kept guests in the holiday spirit. KPRC anchor Andy Cerota welcomed the crowd, who had the opportunity to do some shopping at stores who honor the Holiday Shopping Card.
With the card, shoppers can receive a 20 percent discount at more than 500 participating retailers between now and October 29. The card can be purchased for $75 online at www.holidayshoppingcard.org or at participating area merchants.
Victory, a volunteer fundraising branch of the American Cancer Society, has raised more than $15 million through the sale of the card over the last two decades.
Seen in the crowd were Bobby and Weezy Dees, Angel Rios and Richard Flowers, Brian Teichman and Andrew Cordes, Brad and Diana Wander, EJ Farhood, Don Langston, Hannah McNair, Raquel Lewis, Katherine Pulse, Sharon Hawkins, and Chris and Laurie DeClaire, with sons Patrick and Trent.
Brad Wander, Diana Wander, Jose Altuve, Brian Teichman, Andrew Cordes.
