A record-breaking charity year for Houston: More than two dozen million dollargalas set 2012 apart

In a year in which H-Town home sales went through the roof, unemployment plummeted and restaurants were packed, the non-profit arena benefited handsomely and no where was that more apparent than on the charity gala scene where no less than 26 benefits hit or surpassed the $1 million mark. A record for the heady social scene.

At the end of the spring season, CultureMap was first to report on the astonishing number of 21 charitable fundraising events that achieved the seven-figure milestone in the first half of 2012, the leader being Texas Children's Cancer Center's $32 million bash chaired (and underwritten) by oilman and phenomenal philanthropist Lester Smith and wife Sue Smith.

Following the summer hiatus of big league fundraisers, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston set the pace for the fall social calendar by bringing in $1.4 million at its October gala, chaired by MFAH board chair Cornelia Long. Slightly more than a month later, the MFAH One Great Night in November, chaired by Mike Linn, earned $1 million in art acquisitions for the museum.

Clearly, the ante has been upped for benefit chairs wishing to make a mark.

Only a few weeks after the museum's Grand Gala Ball, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs tasting event at the Hilton Americas-Houston brought in a national record of $1 million for the chef-focused fundraiser that is held in cities around the country. Kudos to chairs Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell and Ned and Laura Davenport.

One week later, the Helping a Hero gala honoring former President George W. Bush secured a whopping $3 million for its program of providing specially-outfitted homes for wounded veterans.

A few days later, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy led the Ronald McDonald House Boo Ball, a raucously fun costume party attended by 1,000, to a net of $1 million.

We can only hold our breath with anticipation of what 2013 will bring.