Shelby's Social Diary

$100 glasses of champagne, diamond dreams and a glam catwalk raise $600,000 to fight a fierce beast

The recent "Catwalk for a Cure," always a glam evening, could have been dubbed "Beauty and the Beast," beauty being the lavish fashions by Marchesa and the jewels from Tenenbaum & Co. The beast? Sarcoma cancer.

Though nothing could taint the sophisticated razzle-dazzle of the evening, the mission of raising funds for the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation was never far from the forefront as the evening's honorees were a survivor, a doctor and a patient currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Guests also loved the 8-foot long Tenenbaum ice bar where for $100 guests could get a numbered glass of Veuve Cliquot and a chance to win a diamond valued at $10,000.

Spirits ran high in the Royal Sonesta ballroom where The Events Co. brought in a giant crystal chandelier and Tenenbaum's Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black not only decorated the chairs with sparkling bling but also the tabletops with diamond collections as centerpieces. Guests also loved the 8-foot long Tenenbaum ice bar where for $100 guests could get a numbered Tenenbaum glass of Veuve Clicquot and a chance to win a diamond valued at $10,000.

Special guests, courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, were Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, who enlivened the ballroom with a show of their exquisite gowns.

Applause, applause to chairs Lindley and Jason Arnoldy and Francine and Westy Ballard as well as to ASCF founder Missy Bellinger. The evening raised more than $600,000 for research into the cancer. Key players included emcee Deborah Duncan and auctioneer Jeff Smith.

In the spotlight on this evening were Celebration of Survivorship honoree Lauri Mauldin, Commitment to Care award recipient Dr. Dejka Araujo and Commitment to the Cause award recipients Alexandra and Brady Knight, the latter award presented by the couple's close friend Greggory Burk. In a moving presentation Brady Knight courageously shared his wife's latest chapter in the sarcoma journey.

Sarcoma survivors walking the runway in a celebratory conclusion to the night were Amanda Hawes, David Solomon, Dr. Stephen Fadem and Caroline Richards. Their victories were honored with a standing ovation from the crowd that included James Bellinger, Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Rosemarie Johnson, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Kathryn Smith, Lisa and Michael Holthouse and John and Becca Cason Thrash.

The event had a floral theme.

17 Marchesa fashions at Catwalk for a Cure November 2014

Photo by © Priscilla Dickson

The event had a floral theme.

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NOLA Spirit

Energetic Houston Wish Ball delivers heartfelt moments and $1.8M

Photo by Jacob Power

Frank Edgerly and Joanna Marks, Kat and Ryan Pressly.

The Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana’s 2026 Wish Ball, aptly themed Miracles Among Magnolias, unfolded at The Post Oak Hotel. Chairs Kristin Palmer and Barry Palmer leaned into their Louisiana roots, adding a dash of New Orleans spirit.

Think an energetic second line procession to a menu that nodded to the Gulf Coast’s rich culinary tradition. The inaugural presenting sponsor, Kaneka, helped anchor the evening, while longtime supporter Valero was honored for its continued commitment.

A particularly poignant moment arrived when guests watched a recorded Zoom call from the height of COVID, when the Palmers first connected with a wish child who had taken up DJing. When asked his wish, his response — simply, to not have cancer — stilled the room. It was this introspective moment that reminded everyone exactly why they supported this organization.

Throughout the program, wish children shared stories that were sobering and uplifting. Honoree Owen Gray, recognized as the inaugural local recipient of the Monty Starblazer Award, earned a standing ovation following personal remarks that traced the lasting impact of his wish into adulthood.

Leave it to Johnny Bravo — with kid Fitz by his side — to raise more than $450,000 in less than 10 minutes. The live auction followed with spirited bidding wars, from a Mardi Gras ride with Kern Studios’ Krewe of Orpheus to an intimate dinner prepared by Chef Eric Cook at the home of Frances and Tony Buzbee, and a Golden Nugget Lake Charles getaway complete with a helicopter ride. A Champagne parade featuring Le Chemin du Roi — 50 Cent’s champagne that won Grand Champion Best of Show at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — added a celebratory note before the dance floor filled for the after-party.

The gala, thanks to a strong crowd of 700, raised nearly $1.8 million.

Summoning their magnolia magic were Ed and Genevieve Razim, Mary and Stephen Schneidau, Greg Miller, Kay and Tommy Austin, Beth and Dan Bellow, Claudia and Brad Freels, Naimeh Salem, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Joanna Marks and Frank Edgerly, Kat and Ryan Pressly, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Kim and Mike Weill, Mignon and Steve Gill, Chelsea Collmer, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Hannah and Billy Helm, Bonnie and Jeff Houston, Julie Roberts, Heather and Don Hrap, Theresa Roemer, Wendy and David Vitter, Charity and David Stone, Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield, Yulia and Daniel Penny, Victoria Way, Lisa Modica, and Mark Reed.

Photo by Jacob Power

Frank Edgerly and Joanna Marks, Kat and Ryan Pressly.

fundraisers gala make a wish