What: The 2019 Guardian of the Human Spirit Award luncheon
Where: Hilton-Americas Houston
The scoop: Some 850 attendees were on-hand as Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH) honored The Astros Foundation with the 2019 Guardian of the Human Spirit Award for their commitment to service and building an open-minded society.
Held at the Hilton Americas-Houston, the luncheon raised $615,000 to fund general operations and educational and outreach programs that raise awareness of the dangers of prejudice, hatred, and apathy using the lessons of the Holocaust. The 2019 award was accepted by Twila Carter, executive director of The Astros Foundation.
H-E-B president, Scott McClelland, kicked off the entertainment by engaging guests in the 7th-Inning Stretch and a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” He then moderated an informational conversation with Houston Astros executive advisor, Reid Ryan, and Astros legend and baseball Hall-of-Famer, Jeff Bagwell.
The Kosher menu included an entrée salad of blackened salmon on a bed of mixed greens, baby spinach, allspice macerated apricots, and candied walnuts with Israeli cous cous topped with a honey cider vinaigrette. Guests enjoyed swapping desserts of passion fruit white chocolate cake and chocolate pecan tart. Decorations and flowers were managed by Aztec and River Oaks Plant House, respectively. Flowers were repurposed via Flower Power to nursing homes and shelters, while Second Helpings utilized additional meals for people in need.
This year’s honorary chairs were Art Acevedo, Houston Police Chief; The Honorable Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge; and The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston. Luncheon chairs included prominent Houstonians Barbara and Michael Gamson, Patti and Mike Morgan, and Marcie and Bob Zlotnik. The host committee was chaired by Renee and Alan Helfman.
The Museum established the Guardian of the Human Spirit award in 1997 as a platform for acknowledging dedicated institutions and leaders who have worked to enhance the lives of others and to better humankind.
The Astros Foundation seeks to harness the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs, to recognize and honor our nation's military, promote childhood cancer awareness and efforts to reduce homelessness.
Who: Ginger Blanton; Tali and Eric Blumrosen; Laurie and Dr. Milton Boniuk; Nancy and Arthur Brand; Maria and Neil Bush; Pierce Bush; Rhona and Bruce Caress; Jose Cruz; Brad Deutser; Nancy and Jack Dinerstein; Denise and Steve Estrin; Kelly Cohen Fein and Martin Fein; Heidi and David Gerger; Sam and Barney Gershen; Paula Goldstein; Cheryl and Stephen Golub; Kathy and Marty Goossen; Walter Hecht; Shelly Hendry; Winell and Doug Herron; BJ and Buddy Herz; Barbara Hines; Laura Jaramillo; Carl Josehart and Sam Jacobson; Mady and Ken Kades; Gail and Dr. Milton Klein; Connie Kwan-Wong; Nicole and Glenn Lowenstein; Sunni and Gary Markowitz; Edith Mincberg; Trish Morille; Judy and Mark Mucasey; Carmen Ng; Regina Rogers; Jeri and Marc Shapiro; Joel Spira; HMH board chair, Benjamin Warren and Joy Warren; Flori and Guillermo Guefen; Jay Zeidman; and HMH CEO, Dr. Kelly J. Zúñiga, and Luis Zúñiga.
Houston Astros business advisor, Reid Ryan and luncheon chairs Patti and Mike Morgan.
