Union Station was a sea of pink and red on April 16 during the Girls Inc of Greater HoustonA League of Their Own luncheon. Longtime supporters of the girl empowerment organization, Kat Pressly and her mother, Sue Rogers, were chairs of the sold-out affair.
Many Astros' wives and girlfriends, including Samantha Tucker, Reagan Bregman, Kara McCullers, Maria Hader, Lindsey Kessinger, Pam Espada, and Alexandra Rich, showed up in a big way to support one of their own. Their presence, along with famed Astros pitcher and husband to Kat, Ryan Pressly, helped hit a home run with a record-breaking day that included raising over $400,000 to benefit Girls Inc of Greater Houston (GIGH).
Astros sideline reporter Julia Morales emceed the afternoon's event and brought several key individuals up to the stage for recognition, including luncheon honoree Paula Harris, executive director of the Astros Foundation, and Corporate Champion award-winner Worley. The inaugural Melanie Gray Vanguard Award was given to Melissa Cook, LPC-S, who spoke to the crowd about her struggles with mental illness and the need to have more open conversations surrounding the topic and recovery. She also noted that teen girls need more support than ever because of the pressures around social media.
GIGH helps build safe spaces and foster long-term mentoring relationships for the girls they serve. They help to develop their strengths, learn lasting skills, and take charge of their futures. President and CEO Treopia Cannon gave heartfelt remarks on the mission of the organization and scholarship recipient, Zori Ozor, a junior in high school, spoke passionately about the impact Girls Inc has had on her life and her vision for the future.
Johnny Bravo took to the stage for a whirlwind five-minute appeal to boost the event's revenue. Bravo's efforts, silent auction items, and a stunning ring donated by Shaftel Diamonds helped push numbers higher than ever.
Notable attendees included Lance McCullers Jr., Grae Kessinger, Fady Armanious, Anita Sehgal, Shelli Lindley, Dana Barton, Lara Bell, Lisa Helfman, Twila Carter, Marian Harper, Mark Wawro, Laura and Juan Perez, Charles Rogers, Iris and Danny Shaftel, Jordan Seff, Cathy de la Mora, Daniella Hernandez, Chelsea Collmer, Kristen Collins, Chree Boydstun, Laurie Sanders, and Jeannie Garder.
Photo by Wilson Parish
Julia Morales, Twila Carter, and Treopia Cannon.
