Western Glam

Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball lassos $1.5 million for cancer research

It was a Texas-sized night of sequins, Stetsons, and serious fundraising as more than 1,200 guests boot-scooted into the Hilton Americas-Houston for the 38th Annual American Cancer Society Houston Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Stacey and Al Lindseth.

With a Lone Star Legends theme and Country icon Tanya Tucker, a two-time GRAMMY winner, headlining, the city’s biggest country-chic gala on September 20 lassoed more than $1.5 million for cancer research and patient support.

Chaired by Laurel Bashaw, Debbie Hance, and Robin Klaes, the sprawling ballroom was transformed into a Western hootenanny. Cowboy hats, including many custom creations by Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, bobbed through the crowd as guests tried their luck at casino tables, hollered during pig races, and queued up for the ever-popular Wine, Whiskey, and Spirits Pull. KHOU’s Chita Craft and Ilona Carson, along with 93Q Morning Show host Katelyn Maida, kept the night moving as emcees.

A rowdy round of Heads or Tails got boots stomping, while bidding wars erupted over prizes. Highlights included a 2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup Truck, courtesy of Beck & Masten Buick GMC, and a trip to Nashville for the CMA Awards complete with a custom Verdavainne gown.

After the giving, it was time for the grooving. Country icon Tanya Tucker, a two-time GRAMMY winner and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, brought down the house with her hits.

The evening also shined a spotlight on local champions of the cause: Community Honorees Trini Mendenhall-Royalty and Philip Royalty, Corporate Honoree Phillips 66, and Mission Impact Honoree H-E-B.

On the trail were Melinda and Keith Landsness, Danny Klaes, Britt Hance, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Katie and Seth Tsuru, Kylee and Ben Siaw, Dr. Andy Chen, Jenny and Matt Todd, Alicia Jansen, Leesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Heidi Rockecharlie, Barbara Van Postman, Chree Boydstun, Courtney Zavala, Janette and Jeff Marx, Maria and Cesar Martinez, Karen DeGeurin Remington, Laura and Ned Davenport, Jennifer and Chad Pinkerton, Elizabeth and Anthony DeLuca, Whitney Lawson, Cheryl Byington, and Kim Padgett.

fundraisers cattle barons ball

Red Carpet

Boo Ball’s Silver Screen Soirée shines bright for RMHC Houston

Ronald McDonald House Charities Boo Ball 2025

Photo by Jacob Power

Courtney Harmon, Margie Esse, Cristina Vetrano, Karen Labat, Ronald, Laura Thompson, Andrea Sivells, Tiffany Riggs, and Melissa Houser.

It was pure Hollywood glam — minus the traffic on Sunset. More than 700 guests rolled into the Hilton Americas on October 17 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston’s annual Boo Ball, this year dazzling as A Silver Screen Soirée. Think Cruella with her spotted entourage, ghostbusters on patrol, and a squad of dodgeballers ready for action.

Event chairs Courtney Harmon and Laura Thompson transformed the ballroom into a mini Tinseltown where movie icons mingled with cocktail stars.

Awards season came early as Karen Labat accepted the Corporate Partner of the Year Award on behalf of Shell USA, Margie Esse was crowned Volunteer of the Year, and Christian Diaz earned the Founders Award.

The silent auction — curated by Nora Jarrard, Elizabeth Galante, Zainab Khuwaja-Ali, and Alma Rosa Winkel — offered prizes worthy of an Oscar afterparty, while Kristen Cannon’s raffle and Awards Draw kept spirits sky-high. But when Ronald McDonald himself took the stage, the room turned electric. In just five minutes, more than $110,000 poured in as guests raised paddles to fund new family rooms and a celebration bell for Holcombe House.

CEO Cristina Vetrano and board president Shannon Hayes shared heartfelt thanks before Hybrid 7 Band cranked up the energy, packing the dance floor until the final encore.

By night’s end, the blockbuster evening raised nearly $900,000 to help provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children receiving care in the Texas Medical Center.

On the red carpet were Jennifer and Scott Allison, Chelsea Collmer, Laurie Sanders, Katie Tsuru, Julie and Stephen Chen, Michele and Bobby Marandi, Alice and JW Lodge, Kim and Scott Kazmir, Sarah and Grant Pinkerton, Emily Crosswell, Iryna and Ryan Herbst, Katherine Whaley and Chris Wadley, Seliece and Lee Womble, Emma and Seth Elsenbrook, Elyse and Drew Tolson, Marilyn Mogas, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Kate and Evan Elsenbrook, ZoAnn Dryer, Tiffany and Michael Gutierrez, and Cheryl and Stuart Brown.

Photo by Jacob Power

Courtney Harmon, Margie Esse, Cristina Vetrano, Karen Labat, Ronald, Laura Thompson, Andrea Sivells, Tiffany Riggs, and Melissa Houser.

fundraisers ronald mcdonald house