Shelby's Social Diary

A 10-foot tall antler tree sells for $20,000 — and that's just part of a$750,000 haul for Trees of Hope

Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com

The Corinthian was awash in the spirt of the holidays Saturday night when Trees of Hope took over with its annual black-tie gala featuring scores of enticing holiday decorations in the most delightful silent auction of the year. From a Baccarat tree decorated in crystal snowflakes, prisms and shooting stars to a Hook 'em Horns confection, the offerings stirred the holiday cheer.

With 460 guests in a bidding frenzy, the 10-foot tall tree made of shed deer antlers (perfect for that South Texas ranch) went for a whopping $20,000. Each year, the tree is contributed by Frio County FFA and 4H clubs. That five-figure purchase brought the total raised on this festive evening to more than $750,000 for the Star of Hope Mission.

It was a major haul that had gala chairs Leigh Smith and Terry Prather, honorary chair Lynn Wyatt (who assisted with the paddles-up appeal) and Trees of Hope board chair DeeDee Marsh beyond happy. Taking bows as auction co-chairs were Mary Rothwell (whose mother-in-law Charlotte Rowell arranged for the antler tree), Carol Buckley and Michelle Stewart.

It was a specially happy occasion for two others — Elizabeth Nelson and Drew Kanaly had been married at noon and joined the Trees of Hope party to celebrate.

Wining, dining and dancing to the sounds of Skyrocket were Reggie Smith, Jim Prather, Faith and Lee Majors, Jenny and David Moore, Randa and Charlie Williams, Kelley and Steve Lubanko, Wallis Marsh, Tissy and Rusty Hardin, Judy and David Steiner, Kelli and John Weinzierl, Jennifer and David Ducote and Star of Hope CEO Hank Rush.

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legacy and lyrics

High notes and higher hopes put Houston's Omega House in the spotlight

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Deborah Duncan, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Charlene Flash, and Alicia Smith.

For Avenue 360, it was time to get back in the gala game with Voices for Hope — its first big fundraising celebration since the pandemic. This year’s event marked a lively return to in-person gatherings, joining the ranks of busy, bustling parties that have defined 2024.

The evening celebrated the legacy of Omega House, Texas’s residential hospice for AIDS patients.

Co-chaired by Alicia Smith and Brigitte Kalai, Voices for Hope revived an important tradition of honoring Omega House’s legacy of compassionate end-of-life care. The night opened with a cocktail reception emceed by Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan, during which guests entered raffles for luxurious prizes, including jewelry from Nini Jewels and Wayne Smith Jewels, a shopping spree at Tootsie’s, and a staycation at The Post Oak Hotel with a Porsche weekend rental.

About those voices: the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts choir’s charming performance of “Seasons of Love” set the evening’s emotional tone. Blues artist Luke Whitney continued with soulful melodies before America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Christina Wells brought down the house with dynamic interpretations of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “We Are Family.”

Houston’s social scribe Shelby Hodge gifted Wells her raffle prize, honoring the performer for her roles as a singer, nurse, and mother. The gala also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bering Omega Community Services, with board member Ken Bohan receiving the Harmony of the Heart Award. Omega House medical director Dr. Gus Krucke, director of dental services Dr. Mark Nichols, and director Sandy Stacy were honored with the Symphony of Service Award, with Stacy’s 30 years of service encouraging standing applause.

Spotted were Lance Smith, Bashar Kalai, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Leisa Holland Nelson, Farida Abjani, Shafik Rifaat, Maria and Omar Moncada Alaoui, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Michele Till, Anna Reger, Mandy Kao, Mark Folkes and Christopher Johnston, Brandon Weinbrenner and Mitchell Greco, Fady Armanious, and Tony Bradfield.