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    Philanthropy in bloom

    Seven Acres’ garden of giving flourishes with record-breaking Houston gala

    Joel Luks
    Feb 7, 2025 | 6:00 am

    The ballroom at Hilton Americas-Houston was in full bloom for the Generosity Grows, Join Our Garden gala benefiting Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. The evening on Jan. 26 celebrated the commitment to providing compassionate care for seniors.

    Seven Acres Senior Care 2025 gala

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    David and Andrea Stein.

    Longtime supporters Vicky and Michael Richker were the honorees, receiving the Joyce Proler Schechter Spirit of Life Award. Adding a personal touch to the moment, Michael Richker serenaded the crowd with a reworked rendition of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” giving it a Seven Acres twist. The award presentation was introduced by Elizabeth Warren, daughter of Vicky Richker, and Jonathan Richker, son of Michael Richker, alongside Joyce Proler Schechter herself.

    Guests were welcomed by emcees Linda Lorelle and Khambrel Marshall. For Lorelle, the event carried special significance, as her mother is a Seven Acres resident. During the cocktail hour, supporters sipped specialty martinis, snapped up auction items, and tried their luck at Heads or Tails, culminating in one lucky guest walking away with a $1,000 gift card to Dubin’s Fine Jewelry. The David Caceres Band kept the dance floor going, providing the perfect soundtrack for an evening of celebration.

    Event chairs Cindy and Gary Greenberg and Gail and Gary Swartz beamed as they took in the success of the fundraiser, while honorary chairs Rhona and Bruce Caress and auction chair Bonnie Winograd were also recognized for their contributions..

    The night also marked a new chapter for Seven Acres, as Michael Feinstein, president of the board, introduced Marsha Cayton as the new chief executive officer. By night’s end, more than $1.3 million had been raised to support Seven Acres’ mission thanks to 500-plus guests.

    Among those with compassionate hearts were Joyce and Arthur Schechter, Bruce Stein and family, Judy and Ronnie Yambra, Kaki and Larry Buck, Renee Wizig-Barrios and Alvaro Barrios, Barbara and Barry Lewis, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Beth Wolff, Scott Jacobson, LuAnn and Morton Katz, Linda and Andy Burger, Carl Josehart and Sam Jacobson, Sue Sue and Don Aron, and Varda and Jess Fields.

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    Fiery Fête

    Houston’s bravest set the night aflame at the Red Hot Gala

    Joel Luks
    Oct 23, 2025 | 12:00 pm
    Houston fire fighters red hot gala 2025
    Photo by Catchlight Group
    Meet the models in the 2026 Houston Fire Fighters' calendar.

    It was a night where courage met couture as guests turned up the heat at the Houston Fire Fighters “Red Hot Gala,” celebrating its eighth anniversary at the Royal Sonesta Houston. Benefiting the Houston Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the fiery fête honored Houston’s bravest while raising more than $500,000 before the first champagne cork even popped.

    Hosted by Patrick “Marty” Lancton and media maven Courtney Zavala, the evening balanced reverence with revelry, saluting everyday heroes in turnout gear instead of tuxedos.

    Gala chairs Elizabeth and Alan Stein led the charge, welcoming sponsors ExxonMobil’s Alvin Abraham, Bobbie Nau, and Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, along with dinner sponsor Edna Meyer-Nelson. The foundation’s 2025 Community Partner, United Airlines, received special recognition as Noemi Scantlebury accepted the award on behalf of the airline.

    A 12-foot faux bronze firefighter sculpture by artist Rodney Davis commanded attention, as did the crowd itself: A mix of gala glam and firehouse comfort. Some guests opted for sequined sparkle, while others kept it cool and casual. The program brimmed with emotion, especially during a video montage featuring firefighters waking up, saying goodbye to loved ones, and heading into uncertainty with quiet bravery. The room fell silent, then erupted in applause.

    Later, Elizabeth and Alan Stein were gifted personalized firefighter jackets before the heat truly rose during the 2026 Houston Firefighter Calendar reveal. For the fourth time, a female firefighter joined the lineup, and the crowd’s response was thunderous. Amid the cheers and flashes, the message remained clear: These men and women may look runway-ready, but they’re not entertainers.

    They’re heroes.

    The evening also featured a high-energy live auction led by Vincent Montalbano, with standout prizes including a Steak 48 dinner, United Polaris round-trip tickets, and a Snowmass adventure. Tony Bradfield of Tenenbaum Jewelers added sparkle with luxury drawings for Dom Pérignon and gift certificates up to $5,000.

    CultureMap seen were Pat Mann and Tim Phillips, Shantell and Brian Wischnewsky, Aimee and Jerry Bingham, Carolina Oliveira, Brigitte Kalai, Bill Baldwin, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Dee and James Darby, Cynthia Wolff, Alicia Smith, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke, Mayor John Whitmire, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, Carol and Bill Lawler, Tori and Ed DeCora, Houston Fire Chief Thomas Munoz, Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Dr. Ed Buckingham, Robert Tijerina, Texas State Representative Lacy Hull, George Dodge, Allison and Jack Jensen, Betty and Daniel DuBose, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Elyse Elsenbrook and Drew Tolson, Kate and Evan Elsenbrook, Michele and Youval Meicler, Joanna Marks, Lynden and Jacob Stein, Clay and Jay McKenna, Darrik Dillard, and Randi and Chris Boleman.

    Houston fire fighters red hot gala 2025

    Photo by Catchlight Group

    Meet the models in the 2026 Houston Fire Fighters' calendar.

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