Buckle Up

Houstonians go all-in at fall Derby gala supporting seat belt awareness

Isn’t the Derby in May?

Kailee Mills Foundation Kentucky Derby fundraiser

Photo by Jacob Power

Kristen Yoho, Deidre Mannion, Edith Fisher, Kristi Campbell, and Dana Koger.

That was the initial thought floating through David Mills’ mind when planning this Kailee Mills Foundation (KMF) fall fundraiser. But as the evening unfolded at The Revaire, the theme hit its stride. Just like the Kentucky Derby, the race to save lives isn’t about who finishes fastest.

It’s about staying the course. Agree?

Almost 400 guests dressed in colorful blazers, floral dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and feathered fascinators flocked to the venue for the “Buckle Up Gala: Derby Race to Save Lives,” raising more than $360,000 for seat belt education programs, family assistance, and scholarships. The event honors the legacy of 16-year-old Kailee Mills, who was ejected from a car in 2017 after momentarily unbuckling her seat belt.

Attendees arrived to photo ops with Bubba and Bruce, two very patient horses who posed with revelers. Signature cocktails flowed as guests placed their bets on big board auction items, including a George Rodrigue Blue Dog painting, a 1970 Château Lafite Rothschild, and an over-the-top private dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire.

Co-chairs Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt welcomed the crowd, reiterating the foundation’s mission to turn personal tragedy into purpose. Emcees Caroline Collins of FOX26 and Johnny “Bravo” Holloway kept the pace brisk, as Christian Collins delivered the invocation and a video message from Mayor John Whitmire praised the group’s impact.

Dustin Creager, KMF board chair and first responder to Kailee’s crash, reminded the room why they were gathered. Honorees April Roberts and Lucretia and Kris Jones were recognized, with Roberts sharing how a seat belt saved her husband’s life 27 years ago while on duty in his police car. Matt O’Neill was named Volunteer of the Year, and Impact Speaker Sabrina Runyan recounted the foundation’s role in supporting her family after a devastating crash left her and her young daughters with serious injuries.

But the emotional peak came when Mills asked guests to lift a rose in honor of Kailee’s Angels—victims of fatal car crashes ranging in age from infants to adults in their 40s. Each name was printed on a sheet at every place setting. The silent tribute was a visual reminder of the stakes at hand.

The night wrapped with dancing, more bids, and renewed commitment to the foundation’s life-saving work.

On the scene were David and Wendy Mills, Rebecca Creager, Steve Johnson, Steve Spencer, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dr. Jacquie Baly and James Craig, Odilia and Owen Conflenti, Angela Hernandez, Ghada Ali, Saula and Paolo Valente, Hershey Grace, Scott Evans, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, Ken Webster Jr., Matt and Theresa May, Brandi and Charles Muras, Tanya and Steven Tondre, Tina and Ed Michael, Jess and Travis Dean, Marie and Rico Cano, Deidre and Brian Mannion, Dana and Jeremy Koger, Kristi and Michael Campbell, Dana and Michael Spencer, Stephanie and Nick Walker, Heather and Dale Shelton, Edith and Adam Fisher, Abby Jones, and Austin Grammer.

fundraisers kailee mills foundation

Raising the Barre

Chris Shepherd honored as Houston Ballet wows diners at annual dinner

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Rench Soriano, Alyssa Springer, Marianne Geagea, Lenni Burke, Sayako Toku, and Saul Newport.

A dozen diners once gathered around chef Chris Shepherd at Catalan on Washington for what felt like a charming experiment. Fast-forward to April 26, and Houston Ballet’s Raising the Barre arrived at Navy Blue in full bloom, now one of the city’s most coveted culinary tickets.

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Rench Soriano, Alyssa Springer, Marianne Geagea, Lenni Burke, Sayako Toku, and Saul Newport.

The sort of invitation where, once the next date is announced, seasoned regulars simply buy first and ask questions later.

More than 150 guests in cheerful spring attire filled the chic Rice Village eatery for the annual fête benefiting Houston Ballet. Co-chaired by Lenni and Bill Burke and Marianne and Joe Geagea, the evening honored Shepherd for his longstanding partnership with the ballet and years of helping this delicious institution pirouette forward. In a sentimental gesture, Shepherd held a photo from that very first gathering.

Because some of the best traditions begin modestly, then grow legs. Preferably in heels.

The now-signature format paired top chefs with Houston Ballet dancers to create a four-course dinner inspired by heritage, hometowns, and personal taste. Opening the menu, Chef Chris Williams teamed with Demi Soloist Rench Soriano for lumpia with talong-style black-eyed pea relish and house-made sweet and sour sauce, a tribute to Soriano’s Filipino roots and his father.

Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner with Soloist Sayako Toku, serving takoyaki arancini with roasted bone marrow — playful, rich, and rooted in Toku’s Japanese background. Chef Aaron Bludorn and Soloist Alyssa Springer delivered a surf and turf inspired by their shared West Coast ties. Dessert landed with a sweet wink courtesy of pastry chef Jared Adams, representing Rebecca Masson, paired with Corps de Ballet member Saul Newport. Their New Zealand-inspired Hokey Pokey Sundae was vanilla bean ice cream heaven with house-made honeycomb and honey caramel.

The event raised more than $100,000 in support of Houston Ballet’s performances, artistic excellence, and education initiatives. While Shepherd’s wife, Lindsey Brown, one of the original architects of the event’s concept, couldn’t be there in person, a few of us managed to say hello via FaceTime.

CultureMap seen were Sonja Kostich, Julie Kent, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Susan Binney, Michelle Jeffery, C.C. Conner, Jo Furr, Terry Wayne Jones, Jane DiPaolo, Marguerite Swartz, Mary Sage, Mitchell George and Stanley Curtis, Jr., Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce, Beth Muecke, Kristen Cannon, Dannika Simpson, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Ileana and Michael Treviño, Allison and Troy Thacker, Christine and David Underwood, Zoe Cadore, Gina Bahr and Anthony Bahr, Sasha Davis and Geoffry Oshman, and Akemi Saitoh.

fundraisers galas houston ballet anderson