NOLA Spirit

Energetic Houston Wish Ball delivers heartfelt moments and $1.8M

The Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana’s 2026 Wish Ball, aptly themed Miracles Among Magnolias, unfolded at The Post Oak Hotel. Chairs Kristin Palmer and Barry Palmer leaned into their Louisiana roots, adding a dash of New Orleans spirit.

Think an energetic second line procession to a menu that nodded to the Gulf Coast’s rich culinary tradition. The inaugural presenting sponsor, Kaneka, helped anchor the evening, while longtime supporter Valero was honored for its continued commitment.

A particularly poignant moment arrived when guests watched a recorded Zoom call from the height of COVID, when the Palmers first connected with a wish child who had taken up DJing. When asked his wish, his response — simply, to not have cancer — stilled the room. It was this introspective moment that reminded everyone exactly why they supported this organization.

Throughout the program, wish children shared stories that were sobering and uplifting. Honoree Owen Gray, recognized as the inaugural local recipient of the Monty Starblazer Award, earned a standing ovation following personal remarks that traced the lasting impact of his wish into adulthood.

Leave it to Johnny Bravo — with kid Fitz by his side — to raise more than $450,000 in less than 10 minutes. The live auction followed with spirited bidding wars, from a Mardi Gras ride with Kern Studios’ Krewe of Orpheus to an intimate dinner prepared by Chef Eric Cook at the home of Frances and Tony Buzbee, and a Golden Nugget Lake Charles getaway complete with a helicopter ride. A Champagne parade featuring Le Chemin du Roi — 50 Cent’s champagne that won Grand Champion Best of Show at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — added a celebratory note before the dance floor filled for the after-party.

The gala, thanks to a strong crowd of 700, raised nearly $1.8 million.

Summoning their magnolia magic were Ed and Genevieve Razim, Mary and Stephen Schneidau, Greg Miller, Kay and Tommy Austin, Beth and Dan Bellow, Claudia and Brad Freels, Naimeh Salem, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Joanna Marks and Frank Edgerly, Kat and Ryan Pressly, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Kim and Mike Weill, Mignon and Steve Gill, Chelsea Collmer, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Hannah and Billy Helm, Bonnie and Jeff Houston, Julie Roberts, Heather and Don Hrap, Theresa Roemer, Wendy and David Vitter, Charity and David Stone, Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield, Yulia and Daniel Penny, Victoria Way, Lisa Modica, and Mark Reed.

Photo by Jacob Power

Frank Edgerly and Joanna Marks, Kat and Ryan Pressly.

fundraisers gala make a wish

Very Good Lighting

Houston museum's glowing art-world fête sparked bidding and dancing

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston CAMH Party 2026

Photo by Jenny Antill

David McGee, Kate Criner Bellin, Georgie Bellin, Susie Criner, Campbell and Annie Eifler, and Sanford Criner.

The upstairs Brown Foundation Gallery at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) morphed into a lantern-lit fever dream as CAMH Party 2026 unfolded in full black-tie splendor.

Photo by Jenny Antill

David McGee, Kate Criner Bellin, Georgie Bellin, Susie Criner, Campbell and Annie Eifler, and Sanford Criner.

More than 300 guests floated through the immersive scene designed by Rebecca Johnson of Bergner & Johnson Designs, where glowing orange, pink, and light green lanterns offered something between a contemporary art installation and a chic late-night garden party.

Co-directors Ryan N. Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján welcomed supporters and honored longtime patrons and former trustees Sissy and Denny Kempner, whose four decades of dedication to the museum served as the evening’s north star. Chairs Susie and Sanford Criner alongside Cece and Mack Fowler kept the night humming as guests sipped cocktails, mingled among auction works, and sized up a limited-edition print by artist Francesca Fuchs created exclusively for the event. Additional works by artists including Carrie Mae Weems, Nari Ward, and Tomashi Jackson reminded attendees that this was still, at its core, an art-world affair enticing art collectors.

One with very good lighting and even better tailoring.

Charity auctioneer Ruth Mason Mauldin took command of the room as bidding wars erupted over works by artists including Mel Chin and Mario Ayala. Once the final paddle dropped, DJ MAV and Gulf Coast Entertainment shifted the mood from polished philanthropy to dance-floor diplomacy.

The museum raised more than $900,000, making it one of the most successful fundraising evenings in CAMH history.

On full party mode were Alexandra and David Pruner, Elisa Stude Pye, Leslie Elkins Sasser, Kirby Liu and Chris McCarthy, Franci Neely, Louise Jamail, Mary Ann and Mark Miller, John Guess and Melanie Lawson, Page Kempner and Chris Johns-Krull, Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, Poppi Massey, Lauren Rottet, Chris Goins and Josh Pazda, Danielle S. O’Bannon, Catherine Anspon and John Walker, Divya and Chris Brown, Robert Pruitt and Ebony McFarland, and Michael Mandola.

fundraisers musuems contemporary art museum houston