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    so many reasons to smile

    Charismatic Chuck and Shazam star Zachary Levi champions life savers at Operation Smile gala

    Steven Devadanam
    Oct 4, 2023 | 3:05 pm

    Everyone knows attending galas and fundraisers can be a ball — literally. But after excitedly waving those auction paddles and politely settling up later, many often wonder what their gala gift actually funded.

    Talented Hollywood leading man-actor Zachary Levi, who visited Houston as the headliner and honoree for the recent Operation Smile gala, wondered the same when attending benefits and exploring charities to support. He settled on Operation Smile thanks to founders Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee’s straightforward pitch: a mere $240 provides life-changing cleft palate surgery to children across the world.

    “Unfortunately, there are many nonprofits or what would call themselves nonprofits, but they’re really for-profits — in the salaries that they’re paying the people that are running them,” the tall, dashing star of Shazam and Chuck told CultureMap at the gala.

    A life-changing Operation

    “So, when you find one like OpSmile,” he continued, “and you see integrity like Bill and Kathy McGee and everyone else they attract to OpSmile, you know that when you are putting money into this organization, it’s going to the right places. I’ve been on multiple medical missions with them and I have seen where that money goes.”

    Hard to find a better spokesman for Operation Smile — or, “OpSmile” as he calls it — than the multifaceted Levi (his hysterical David Bowie-wannabe villain in the Psych: The Movie is a must watch). In 13 years, he has raised more than $2 million and connected thousands of supporters, celebrities, and influencers to the game-changing, boots-on-the-ground nonprofit.

    His hands-on approach includes the Creating Smiles with Zachary Levi fundraising page, which he launched in 2016 to raise an additional $500,000 for Operation Smile. His work has paid off: Creating Smiles is now less than $10,000 short of its goal.

    “Look, this is a very quantifiable type of ask: $240. It’s something people can wrap their head around — and actually see change happening in real time — as opposed to, ‘Hey, gimme all this money to go fight world hunger and maybe get there. Gimme all this money to go help poverty — and maybe we get there. Gimme all this money to help the homeless — and maybe we get there.

    “This work is life changing,” he added. “It’s life changing for all of those lives that are literally being changed medically and people that we may never meet in our entire life.”

    Let’s see those smiles

    Levi’s exuberance set the tone for the energetic gala, which honored Levi and locals Amy and Rob Pierce, Christine Nguyen, and doctors Alice Mao and Matt Brams for their work with OpSmile. Ahead of the main program, guests sipped on cocktails, mingled, and bid on coveted items from the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, LLADRO, Veronica Beard, Lena’s Asian Kitchen, and Valobra Master Jewelers.

    Event co-chairs Sneha Merchant, a tireless OpSmile advocate, and Viet Hoang welcomed the hundreds who packed the Royal Sonesta ballroom and introduced co-founder Kathy Magee, who relayed some of the most memorable moments and accomplishments over OpSmile’s 41-year history. OpSmile’s work is transcendent: Since 1982, tens of thousands of children worldwide have benefitted from the surgeries, meaning a new life, acceptance, improved health, and success for future generations.

    Emcee Dr. Sippi Khurana, who travels the world with organizations such as UNICEF and OpSmile to help those in need of medical care and basic life assistance, kept the crowd on theme. “Let’s see those smiles,” she requested, flashing her own big grin. Khurana tugged at heartstrings when she called out key OpSmile figures and described what their smile means to her: “Amy Pierce,” she called out, “your smile gives me girl power…Sneha, your smile gives me the warmth of a sister…my husband Ajay, your smile ignites passion,” (cue the whoops), to her children, “your smiles give me pure joy” and to Kathy Magee, “your smile gives me hope for the future of these children.”

    “I was once like you...”

    Khurana then introduced a moving video documenting Merchant’s trip to Kerala, India with her 13-year-old son, Zaryan Merchant as they followed OpSmile teams performing crucial cleft palate surgeries on patients who are often forgotten in a country overflowing with impoverished patients in need and who fall onto the lowest rung of India’s social caste.

    Later, Zaryan — a remarkably gifted and effortlessly poised public speaker — described how accompanying a nine-year-old boy, Rahul, through his surgery pushed the Houston teen out of his comfort zone.

    “I was once like you,” he told the audience, “attending this gala, observing my parents donating money. But stepping into these villages and spending time with these children, I realized: they’re not strangers. They’re just normal kids who need a hug, someone to talk to, and most importantly, to be accepted in a society that sometimes casts them aside.”

    Energizer Bunny-level auctioneer Johnny Bravo, always a crowd favorite, led bidders on a live auction; a hotly contested item included Valobra Master Jewelers’ earrings and a double ski package for the Operation Smile Ski Challenge in Park City, Utah. Paddle-waving Houstonians raised more than $30,000 in the live auction alone.

    Meanwhile, young volunteers from St. Francis School handed out the signature Operation Smile teddy bears — an annual gala take-home prize for regular attendees — to eager donors.

    The very best ROI

    Later, Levi casually grabbed the mic and thanked patrons, saying he was “literally” honored to be there (very clever). “I have no skills in medicine,” he told the audience, adding that he “might cry.” He urged the audience to make an OpSmile trip, just to simply offer their own talents and witness the change that $240 can make in these children’s, and their families’, lives.

    “A lot of us hold onto our money, guys,” Levi said, going from celeb actor into inarguable pitchman and preacher, “because we think it has anything to do with our worth. I’m here to tell you right now — it doesn’t. Hopefully, it’s providing your family a great life, and I’m not knocking treating yourself, but understand at the end of the day, you’re not taking it with you. There are a lot of successful people here, and so I want you to know, the best ROI you can ever have is not more money coming in, it’s changing people’s lives.”

    For a gifted actor known for executing perfect lines, Levi’s line might just be the most impactful he ever delivers.

    Seen with big smiles in the crowd: Ajay Khurana, Nick Merchant, Mandy Kao, Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Dr. Jorge and April Salzar, Staci and Al Lindseth, Teresa Hoang and Michael Minh Vu, Naureen and Ahmad Malik, Arshad and Mona Ramji, Anna and John Reger, Debbie and Rudy Festari, and many more.

    Sneha Merchant Viet Hoang Zachary Levi.
      

    Photo by Johnny Than Photography

    Event co-chairs Sneha Merchant and Viet Hoang with Zachary Levi.

    news/society

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    Power and Style

    Fashion show and tequila toasts light up Latin Women’s Initiative lunch

    Joel Luks
    Jun 13, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
    Photo by Dave Rossman
    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    Houtson's Latin Women’s Initiative pulled off a tres chic triple threat — style, celebration, and serious giving — during its 30th anniversary luncheon and fashion show, drawing more than 850 supporters to the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom. The event blended culture, community, and catwalks into one spectacular midday affair.

    Event chairs April Ramirez Fabre and Julie Garza, alongside board president Jovanny Orellana, welcomed guests to a ballroom teeming with fashionistas, philanthropists, and a whole lot of Latin sass. The annual luncheon, show, and bustling marketplace marked a major milestone for the nonprofit, which has supported Houston’s Latin community for more than two decades. This year’s honorees, Lisset Garza and Naimeh Salem, were recognized for their years of dedicated support to the organization and beyond.

    Festivities kicked off early with a shopping marketplace that opened in the morning and quickly became standing room only. Stylish attendees sipped tequila samples from local brand Titanium Tequila while browsing vendors. A specialty cocktail bar and music from DJ Freddy B kept the energy festive. Event designer Johanna Terry delivered an elegant setting, infusing the ballroom with rich emerald green tones, a nod to the organization’s 30th anniversary, paired with lush florals.

    The program began with Orellana welcoming the crowd from a dramatic Y-shaped runway, as Mariachi Reyes de Mexico filled the room with music that hushed the crowd for a heartfelt invocation.

    Then came the moment every fashion lover waited for: Lo Mejor de Saks Primavera 2025 (The Best of Spring Saks 2025), a luxe runway show presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, led by Heidi Turney and Hasina Starks. Applause echoed as models and a few brave Houston firefighters showed off the season’s must-haves. But the true showstopper? Actor and TV host Julián Gil, who surprised the audience by strutting the runway himself, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. His appearance was generously sponsored by Salem.

    The catwalk came alive with Latin beats and massive LED screens flashing colorful visuals, thanks to a production team led by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar. Behind-the-scenes storytelling and videos, created by exclusive media partner Telemundo Houston, added a poignant layer to the spectacle.

    As guests settled in for lunch, anticipation built for the raffle, which included a dazzling diamond tennis necklace from Zadok Jewelers. Helene Zadok herself took the stage to crown the lucky winner. All that excitement translated into impact: the event raised more than $500,000 to benefit Justice Forward, Rebuilding Together Houston, Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus, El Centro de Corazon, and Naba Shoes for Kids.

    And what’s a Latin party without a proper toast?

    Guests clinked glasses in a tequila-fueled cheers to three decades of fashion for a cause, then danced the afternoon away to live music from Grupo Kache. The grand finale included more marketplace shopping and lite bites, with plans already announced for next year’s fête on May 1, 2026.

    Houston’s Latin glitterati showed up, including Ceron, Patricia Herrera, Leticia Fallick, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Vicky Dominguez, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna, Chree Boydstun, David Cordua, Frances Castañeda Dyess, Patricia Garcia, Alba Huerta, Daisy Mendoza, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Jackie Garcia, Cathryn Martinez, Mariangeles Orti, Vanessa Ramirez, Matty Restivo, Lisa Flores, Susan Dray, Marilu Garza, Conchita Reyes, Lorena Gomez, Lucia and Michael Cordua, and Leisa Holland-Nelson.

    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Dave Rossman

    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    fundraiserslatin women’s initiative
    news/society
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