grand slam

Astros Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, and Josh Hader team up for charity

In a night filled with Houston pride and charitable spirit, Astros heavy hitters Kyle Tucker, José Altuve, and Josh Hader stepped up to the plate on Sept. 9 to host a star-studded event at the Post Oak Hotel. The trio turned a charitable evening into a grand slam for local causes, benefiting children, animals, and the Houston community.

The event featured live and silent auctions, a champagne wall, and some of Houston's finest. Tucker—the Astros' right fielder and current Roberto Clemente nominee—teamed up with Altuve and Hader to champion their respective foundations, raising a still-climbing total expected to surpass last year’s record of $600,000.

The big-league charity night had a lineup that would make any Astros fan cheer. Teammates like Ryan Pressly and Mauricio Dubon rallied in support, while emcees Julia Morales and Johnny Holloway kept the energy high. A hot-ticket auction item—a private catered dinner with Tucker, Altuve, and Hader — had bids swinging for the fences. Custom artwork honoring the Astros by local artist Skel and signed by legends like Craig Biggio added to the night's excitement.

Guests also had the chance to score big by throwing out the first pitch at an Astros game or sitting in the coveted Diamond Club seats. The event brought awareness to the Astros' charitable foundations, with Tucker’s support for hospice care, Altuve’s efforts through the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and Hader’s work with foster care organizations, including Covenant House and B.E.A.R. Adding to the night’s heart-tugging moments, puppies from local animal shelters were available for adoption, courtesy of the Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation’s commitment to pet rescue.

In the dugout and among the 550-plus teammates were Whitney and Jim Crane, Adrienne and Jared Crane, Samantha Scott, Kat Pressly, Nancy Herrara Dubon, Maria Hader, Dana Brown, Joe Espada, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Joe Casiano, Cherie and John Lindley, Jenna Lindley, Shelli and Steve Lindley, Matthew Lindley, Randy Bates, Shelley and Lee Boyer, Julie Friedman, Nick and Kristin Johnson, Lori Schultz, John Hohlt and Lindsey Leigh Hohlt, Donna and Norman Lewis, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Julie and Stephen Chen, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Michelle and Chris Durham, and Beth Wolff.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Kyle Tucker, Ryan Pressly, and Josh Hader.

fundraisers houston-astros

Safety First

Houston spirit shines as Crime Stoppers gala raises $2 million

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

Big hats met big-hearted giving at The Revaire as Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted its Second Annual “Raise ’Em Up for Texas” Gala, presented by Glenda and Russell Gordy and the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Family Fund

The evening unfolded like a Texas-sized toast guided by gala chairs Brooke Lee, Dana Barton, and Kristen Collins, and lifted further by strategic chairs Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff.

More than 460 guests filled the sprawling venue, welcomed first by a festive happy hour and a bustling silent auction. Master of ceremonies Johnny Bravo kicked things into gear as guests settled in, followed by remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, who championed the crowd’s shared commitment to keeping Houston safe.

Speaker Maurine Molak, co-founder of the David’s Legacy Foundation shared the story of her son, whose life was cut short at 16 after enduring relentless cyberbullying. She illuminated the gap in resources available to families at the time and the sweeping efforts that eventually led to David’s Law. Her partnership with Crime Stoppers through The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Million for Million campaign has already reached more than two million students, continuing David’s legacy by empowering young Texans to seek safety, support, and hope.

A surprise presentation of the Second McIngvale Family Humanitarian Award honored Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation for their community-wide compassion. Accepting on their behalf was Catarina Bill.

Then came a major announcement: The creation of a new Crime Stoppers Women’s Collective, a group of 50 women stepping into a leadership role for 2026, along with an ambitious push to educate 10 million Texas students and the launch of SafeSpace Student Hub, a digital platform designed to give students a confidential place to seek guidance.

Nobody’s Fool closed out the night with plenty of two-stepping as supporters lingered, celebrating a mission-driven evening that raised a record-breaking $2 million.

Showing up in full Texas spirit were Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Hallie Vanderhider, Sippy and Ajay Khurana, Tom Ramsey, Noe Diaz, Ben Katrib, Twila Carter, Willie Davis, Fred Flickinger, Mary Nan Huffman, Julian Ramirez, Alan Rosen, Terry Allbritton, Emily DeToto, Lori DeAngelo, Peyton Peebles, Aaron Burdette, Lance Long, Dan Simons, Carolyn Dozier, Ken Wise, Tiffany Herd, Eric and Lisa Elder, Alex and Tammy Janos, Kari Lynd, Natalie and Steve Mohtashami, Kyle and Erin Cummings, Snehal Amin and Adrienne Amin, Jessica Leeke, Carla and Tony Maarraoui, Karen and Lohn Zylicz, Frank and Jill Stagg, Robert and Dana Clay, Catherine and Peter Badger, Pam Connealy, Mayes and Macy Middleton, Megan and Walker Weston, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Seth and Hannah Siegel-Gardner, Anna Reger, Sheri Zucker, Trini Mendenhall, Phillip Royalty, Jeff Nadalo, Farida Abjani, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Omar Alaoui, Susan Boggio, Deborah Duncan, and Laura Ward.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

fundraisers crime stoppers houston