Paws Up

Houston's Best in Snow gala raises $1 million for CAP’s furry friends

It was a doggone good time at the Best in Snow-themed Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) Celebrity Paws Gala, where Houston’s animal lovers showed up in style to celebrate and support the beloved nonprofit. Held on November 16 at the Post Oak Hotel, this wintery wonderland was a playful nod to the classic movie Best in Show and filled with all the sparkle of the season, thanks to co-chairs Angela Hernandez and Carson Brown.

Guests entered a scene fit for a winter fairy tale, with silver accents, icy blue hues, and holiday touches. Many attendees got into the spirit with shimmering outfits and fur-tastic accessories that matched the evening’s frosty glam. The festivities began at an ice bar sponsored by Sire Spirits, Branson Cognac, and Le Chemin du Roi, where espresso martinis had partygoers raising a toast and snapping plenty of photos to capture the moment.

CAP supporters participated in a Bourbon and Bubbles pull, a high-end raffle for a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium donated by West Houston Subaru, and a silent auction.

But the highlight was the celebrity parade of honorees and their darling pets, each taking a turn on the runway as the crowd cheered. Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Julianna Lowenberg served as CAP Junior Honorees, alongside fellow pet-loving luminaries like Ben Ackerley with Daphne and Meatball, Allison and Nick Boulle with Belle, Clark Caperton with Peyton, Andy Cerota with Maxwell, Dana and Blake Fertitta with Belle and Zoe, Brittany Hildebrand with Spec, Kirby and David Lodholz with Chucky, Dr. Monica Patel and Calvin Krall with Lucky, Daphne and Steve Savva with Jenga, and Megan and Keith Waldrop with Hank. Each had their portrait captured by Gittings Photography and featured on a specially curated gallery wall.

Tears and cheers filled the room when Bram Kohlhausen was awarded CAP’s Celebrity Canine Hero Award for his journey of recovery with his service dog, Chip, by his side. Other special honors included the CAP Cherished Companions award for Debbie Berman and Cassandra Carpentier, the Heart of Gold award for Ben Berg, the Hall of Fame nod for Carolyn Faulk, and the Share the Love Award for Andy Cordes and Gittings Photography, presented by Gloria and Frank Meszaros of West Houston Subaru. Topping off the honors, Naomi and David Schwartz received the prestigious Melcher Humanitarian of the Year award for their contributions to animal welfare.

The grand finale saw Cerota and his dog Maxwell crowned 2024 Celebrity Pets of the Year, with theFertitta’s Belle and Zoe as first runners-up.

Emcee Frank Billingsley kept the energy high as auctioneer Brittany Franklin inspired a flurry of bidding on live auction items and CAP’s signature paws up appeal. A playful opening video — a take on Best in Show — produced by Chris Swanson of Firefox Video, set a fun tone throughout the festivities.

The gala raised a record-breaking $1 million to fund CAP’s shelter and rescue efforts, providing homeless pets with a new leash on life.

In attendance: Sandi Mercado, Kappy Muenzer, Linda Lyons Ewing, Marilyn and George De Montrond, Meghan and Clint Conroy, Alicia and Eric Jansen, Nick Batesole, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Susan and Dan Boggio, Tamara and Dr. James Bonar, Sidney Faust, Danielle and Derek Gillespie, Marian and Austin Cornelius, Deborah and Ernesto Bautista, Christine Johnson, Jody Merritt, Nora and Bob Ackerly, Dean Putterman, Ed Finger, Dana Barton and Robert Clay, Paige Fertitta, Michael Fertitta, Kevin Gilliard, Roxanne Riefkohl, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Kamisha Mickey, Marcellus Upshaw, Frankie Demeris, Crystal Saldivar, and Nicki and Evan Keenan.

Citizens for Animal Protection celebrity gala 2024

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

David and Kirby Lodholz with Chucky.

galas fundraisers citizens for animal protection

Recipe for Success

Houston’s chicest support kids’ health at farm fashion show

Photo by Michelle Watson

Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

On a picture-perfect spring afternoon, Houston’s haute families traded their city stilettos for stylish wedges and sun hats at Hope Farms, where fashion met philanthropy at the Seventh Annual Fashion in the Fields Brunch and Fashion Show. With Japanese umbrellas dancing in the breeze and the scent of ranunculus and rose wafting from centerpiece watering cans, the event proved once again that cultivating health and style are not mutually exclusive.

The star of the show — aside from the petal-perfect runway looks — was the event’s uniquely multi-generational leadership. Elizabeth Phillips chaired the event alongside daughters Ariel Lopez and Brittany Faulk, with granddaughters Finley Lopez, Hallie Faulk, and Rose Faulk making it a family affair to remember. Sheree Frede, Sarah Phillips, and Sara DeJay Willis served as co-chairs, reinforcing the event’s legacy-minded ethos.

And legacy was the buzzword of the day.

“To see the next generation picking up the torch is deeply inspiring,” said Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar, who’s spent 19 years growing the organization’s mission to inspire children to eat fresh, nutritious food. That mission took center stage — quite literally — when a pack of pint-sized models dressed by Itsy Bitsy Boutique (and some dapper dads in M Penner) pranced down the runway to collective awws and camera flashes.

Photo by Michelle Watson

Founder Gracie Cavnar, center, with the participating chefs.

The main event unfolded with spring collections from presenting sponsors Mason’s Daughter, Sachin and Babi, and City Boots, punctuated by sustainable style highlights from Magpies and Peacocks. ABC13 Houston anchor and style savant Miya Shay emceed with flair, serving commentary as vibrant as the garments.

Of course, no fashion fête is complete without a fitting feast.

Guests noshed on a Michelin-pedigree brunch courtesy of a chef dream team: Tommy Laczynski (Barcelona Wine Bar), Barbara McKnight (Culinaire), JC Ricks (Dandelion Café), Drake Leonard (Eunice), Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), and Patti Delgado (The Original Ninfa’s). Glasses clinked over Down the Rabbit Hole cocktails, a botanical blend with carrot juice from Hope Farms and wines courtesy of 55 Seventy Private Member’s Club.

The day’s emotional high came during Paddles Up, raising scholarships for Hope Farms’ summer camps. Cynthia and Tony Petrello led the charge with a $5,000 gift to fund a dozen weeklong experiences for local kids. Raffle winners walked away with floral subscriptions, design consults, private cocktail classes, and fresh produce deliveries. The Foundation also honored Chef Kevin Bryant as Chef of the Year and Samuel Jackson as Volunteer of the Year for their unwavering commitment to sustainable food education.

Looking ahead, Lyndsey Zorich, a Foundation Advisory Board member and fashion entrepreneur, is already at work assembling next year’s dream team of stylish moms to chair the 2026 event.

Among the stylish crowd were Beth Harp, Gayla Gardner, Celina Hellmund, Anita and David Garten, Rudy Guerra, Veronica Neal, Sara Morgan and Oscar Brown, Laura and Etai Funk, and Gina Gaston Elie.

fundraisers fashion show recipe for success