Honoring The Enforcer

Kelsey Grammer and Nate Bargatze honor Barbara Bush at Houston fundraiser

The 31st annual A Celebration of Reading was a storybook affair, gathering nearly 1,300 guests at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts on April 1. Hosted by Maria and Neil Bush, the evening honored the enduring legacy of First Lady Barbara Bush and commemorated what would have been her 100th birthday.

The result? A heartwarming night that raised more than $2.6 million for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's local efforts.

The evening opened with a poignant video message from former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, followed by the Texas A&M Singing Cadets delivering soul-stirring renditions of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "God Bless America." Neil Bush and son Pierce Bush welcomed attendees with touching tributes, highlighting Barbara Bush's enduring impact on literacy and family life.

New Legacy

In a fitting birthday salute, Neil Bush announced the launch of the Literacy Legacy Society, with Susan Baker as honorary chair and Deborah and Monte Stavis as co-chairs. The initiative aims to grow and sustain the foundation’s programs while celebrating Barbara Bush's vibrant legacy.

”This is a very special year for our family, as my Ganny will have celebrated her 100th birthday,” said Pierce Bush. “She was a source of inspiration and kindness to all who knew her. There is not a day that goes by that we do not think of her and miss her quick wit, friendship, and unconditional love.”

Authors on Stage

Literary luminaries took center stage throughout the evening, introduced by Ashley Bush LeFevre, Sarahbeth Bush, and Julian LeFevre. Historian H.W. Brands reflected on his childhood love of reading and the complexity of his work, America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War. Author Victoria Christopher Murray charmed the audience with stories of her early writing adventures and her passion for highlighting unsung heroines in history.

Actor Kelsey Grammer delivered a deeply personal and emotional reading from his new book Karen: A Brother Remembers, chronicling his late sister's life. Comedian Nate Bargatze closed out the author lineup with his signature "non-genius" humor, sharing hilarious anecdotes from his childhood and new memoir Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind.

Earlier in the day, the festivities kicked off with an intimate Authors’ Luncheon hosted at the River Oaks home of Terri and John Havens.

Among those spotted in the evening crowd were Steve and Barbie Prusak, Julie and Ron Finck, Lisa and Mark Jakel, Mark and Laurie Lashier, Brian and Shana Mandell, Alvin Abraham, Claudia Kreisle, David and Pat Jones, John and Betty Hrncir, Y. Ping Sun, Daniel Kalms, Steve and Michele Maislin, Satya and Naveen Pandrangi, Emily George, Colette and Minor Taylor, Preston and Allison Schulze, Gina and Joe Carroll, Danny Ward and Nancy Ames, Ernest Trevino and Steve Ulrich, Tony Bradfield, Ginger Blanton, Martha and Mark Carnes, Juliet Stipeche, and Pam Wells.

The celebration continues beyond the evening as media partner KPRC 2 will broadcast a one-hour, commercial-free version of the event on May 10, with a rebroadcast on June 7.

Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Celebration of Reading 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Kelsey Grammer.

fundraisers barbara bush barbara bush houston literacy foundation celebrities

Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

fundraisers celebrities