FANCIFUL FIESTA

Colorful, Brazilian-themed luncheon raises $550,000 for Houston's Latino community

The dazzling colors of Brazilian Carnival, samba dancers, a notable Latin American designer, and a brimming marketplace can only mean one thing: the annual Latin Women's Initiative (LWI) luncheon and fashion show.

The Hilton Americas Ballroom housed a sold-out crowd for the 22nd anniversary of the luncheon chaired by Jolene Trevino with honorary chair Rebecca Reyes. Over 900 guests, adorned in vibrant spring attire, gathered to celebrate the organization's mission to uplift nonprofits that provide critical services to Houston's Latino community.

The high-energy crowd started the day by sipping tequila from Houston-based Titanium and shopping. Once the luncheon began, KPRC 2's Daniella Guzamn emceed the event which included a fashion show led by Saks Fifth Avenue general manager Heidi Turney and a personal appearance by the featured designer Patricia Bonaldi.

Attendees were treated to a true runway production created by Lenny Matuszewski. The fashion show's backdrop consisted of massive LED screens with enticing scenes from Bonaldi's home country of Brazil. Models walked the runway accompanied by popular Latin music, and halfway through the fashion extravaganza, samba dancers took to the stage for a musical interlude that drew much applause and cheers from the crowd.

The luncheon and fashion show culminated in a raffle, offering a chance to win exquisite prizes and add to the event's bottom line, including a diamond tennis bracelet presented by Amy and Michelle Zadok. This year's occasion surpassed all expectations, raising a record-breaking $550,000, which will go a long way in supporting Avance, NewSpring, Small Places, Undies for Everyone, and Work Texas.

Per luncheon tradition, the afternoon closed out with a tequila toast as guests raised their glasses and celebrated fashion for a cause.

Among the fashionably clad supporters were Ceron, Rosi and Jorge Hernandez, Jessica Rossman, Gloria Bounds, Kat Pressly, Jan Mendenhall, Marcie Mir, Beckie Mir, Isela Garcia, Monica and Joaquin Jimenez, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Michele Leal, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Rosangela Capobianco, Whitney Crane, Winell Herron, Lisa Helfman, Chree Boydstun, Estella Cockrell, Vicky and John Dominguez, Alba Huerta, and Maritza Gonzales.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Sarah Cordua, Jacqueline Mendenahll, Lauren Ramirez, and Lisa Joubert

Painted with Purpose

21 Houston doctors trade scrubs for canvases at Arts of Healing gala

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

Turns out, creativity isn’t just for the canvas. It pulses through the hands of healers, too.

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

That was the spirit of The Arts of Healing Eighth Annual Gala, where physicians traded lab coats for aprons and oils to showcase their artistic prowess at The Post Oak Hotel on November 8.

Guests — close to 500 — were greeted by a floral fantasia courtesy of Blooming Gallery. A grand circular bar anchored the room, while a curated silent auction, wine pull, and an ultra-chic Valobra raffle for a diamond necklace tempted attendees. The centerpiece? Art by 21 physician-artists being honored that evening lining the entire ballroom.

Among the physicians celebrated for their contributions both in hospitals and on canvas were Dr. Shetal Amin, Dr. Deepak Bedi, Dr. Mark Dannenbaum, Dr. Meshann Fitzgerald, Dr. Matthew Goldman, Dr. Brandon Goodwin, Dr. Mollie Gordon, Dr. Maysoon Hamed, Dr. Emily Jamea, Dr. Henry Kuerer,Dr. JP LeFave, Dr. Dean Moore, Dr. Marlene Morales, Dr. Sehar Najamus, Dr. Eric Powitzky, Dr. Terrence Wadley, Dr. Cindy Williams, Dr. Jose Miguel Yamal, Dr. Sarrah Zadeh, and Dr. Isaac Raijman, who, alongside his wife, Lori Raijman, founded the Arts of Healing Foundation.

Co-chaired by Rachel and Warren Ellsworth IV and Natalie and Mark Bordman, the evening marked a fundraising high, collecting more than $560,000 to support The Arts of Healing and its Sunshine Kids Summer Camp collaboration. The initiative brings children facing cancer from across Texas together for creativity, connection, and joy.

A special musical cameo brought the house down when honoree Dr. Jeff Ross took the stage, trumpet in hand, for a guest appearance with Dry Water Band. The dance floor stayed thumping well into the night, a tribute to the spirit of creativity as medicine.

Summoning their inner Picassos were Sarah Collins, Michele and Youval Meicler, Kristen Collins, Betsy and Jimmy Montgomery, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Kristen Cannon, Cathleen Fishel, Stephanie Wilcox, Alexis Rosales, Faith Majors, Bethany Buchanan, Susan and Steve Beatte, Larry Doty, Vanessa and Chuck Ames, Dana Barton and Robert Clay, Rita Shuma, Jennifer Wisler, Dr. Rukmini Rednam, Dr. Victoria Chang, Dr. Danielle Antosh, Katie Tsuru, and Dr. Kathy Nguyen.

fundraisers