Brief moments

Competitive spirit powers Houston charity's bingo night for kids

Bingo? Dismiss any conjured up perceptions of grannies with a chip on their shoulder, kvetching about their thankless families while struggling to read the numbers of their bingo cards from underneath their readers. This was a crowd of competitive dauber savants. God help you if you got it wrong and called Bingo when you should’ve been sipping on your bevvy and minding your biz.

This cheerful and amicable (yet high-stakes) gamer fundraiser was one where one could mention the unmentionables. Welcome to the 2024 edition of Bingo and Briefs, presented by CenterPoint Energy, supporting Undies for Everyone.

The laid-back atmosphere of the SPJST Lodge 88 in the Heights became a lively battleground, with 370 attendees raising $175,000. At the helm of this afternoon gathering was Rabbi Amy Weiss. This CEO and founder is also a 2022 CNN hero who solves an often invisible problem.

Players-cum-supporters showed up in force — no free space in the cafetorium — huddled around tables laden with candy, chips, and guacamole. The event setup, along with crowd favorite Tacos A Go Go, ensured that every player was well-fed and pepped up, primed to vie for one of the many prizes. Sponsors included HEB, TDECU, United Airlines, Reliant, and Lisset Garza.

“We’re thrilled to host Bingo and Briefs in such a relaxed setting, where friends can come together to support a simple yet vital mission,” remarked Megan Ryan, chair of Undies for Everyone. “Providing kids in need with new underwear is a small but meaningful way to help them thrive — and tonight, we’re doing that while having a bit of fun.”

The crowd’s energy was set ablaze as Jim Grace and Barry Mandel took on the roles of callers, guiding the participants through rounds of classic bingo. Winners included Nancy Rothfeder, Leah Shapiro, Tiffani Tatum, and Amit Misra, who joined others in celebrating their victories.

Between rounds, Stephanie Magers took the stage to lead a spirited game of Heads or Tails, with Rosie Hernandez ultimately claiming the prize, further thrilling the crowd.

The organization’s mission to provide children in poverty with basic dignity underwear struck a chord. Ryan shared a personal story of her journey with Undies for Everyone, from her early days as a Junior League member to witnessing the organization grow into a national powerhouse that distributed 1.6 million pairs of underwear to kids across the country this year.

Reflecting on the cause, Rabbi Weiss summed up the party’s unique charm, saying, “Our supporters love the casual atmosphere of Bingo and Briefs — it’s a chance to provide kids with basic dignity while relaxing in jeans. There’s nothing quite like it.”

Hoping for a big payout were Rabbi Oren Hayon, Rabbi Pamela Silk, Carey Kirkpatrick, Sally Anne Schmidt, Nicole Romano, Winnie Simmons, Nic Phillips, Barbara Loeser, Mimi Swartz, John Wilburn, Jill Jewett, Jason Ryan, Lainie Gordon, David Minceberg, Ilene Epstein, Allison Miller, Tyler Naquin, Scott Sawyer, Lee Haverman, and Will Brown.

Photo by Sheryl Lochridge/Your Best Shot Photography

The thrill of victory.

fundraiser undies for everyone

Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

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