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Praise for patriotism
The Operation American Heroes Foundation awarded Robin Young-Ellis, pictured (middle) with Gordon Fox (left) and John Carloss (right), the Soaring Patriotic American Eagle Founder’s Award. In 2008, Young-Ellis founded Salute to our Troops Houston, an annual event honoring the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces. The event has grown from 500 active duty and reserve military troops and their families to 2,300. In 2011, Young-Ellis gave her program to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and she helped start its first Armed Forces Appreciation Committee.
An Amazing fundraiser
Lifelong friends Susan Williamson and Dana Strake (pictured, from left) co-chaired a luncheon to remember, raising a record-breaking $289,000 for Amazing Place, a daytime memory-care program for adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Dr. Gustavo Román of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center, well known in the neurological field, gave a presentation on ways to keep brains healthy. Strake is a longtime volunteer at Amazing Place. She started many years ago leading a Bible study for the participants. (Photo: www.AlexandersPortraits.com)
Heart of the ball
Chairs Bobbie and John Nau got the ball rolling on the American Heart Association’s 2012 Houston Heart Ball with a kick-off party at their Silver Eagle Distributors facility. Attendees sipped cocktails and got sneak peeks at auction items that will be offered at the Feb. 11 ball, including six landscape paintings by Texas artists and six 2012 Sewell Houston dealership vehicles, valued at a whopping $65,000 each. The Naus have a lofty goal of raising $1.8 million for heart-disease research, education and awareness. Pictured are John and Bobbie Nau (left and right) with medical honoree Roberta Bogaev of the Texas Heart Institute (middle). (Photo: Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design)
A veteran’s day
Grady Middle School hit the right note in honoring veterans on Veteran’s Day with a program presented by the school band under the direction of Leif Hall. After a procession of colors by the Girl Scouts under Eve Buckler’s leadership, students Sendy Granados, Gisselle Lizama, Shawn Thomas (pictured), Jamie Spain and Nina Bell read poetic messages of appreciation. Guest of honor Tom Mitchell, director of the U.S. Veterans Initiative-Houston, encouraged students to honor vets through community service. Gifts were presented to vets in attendance, Taps was played, and the Girl Scouts retired the colors. Throughout the program, the Advanced Band Clarinet Ensemble and Advanced Band performed melodies.
Celebrating Samaritans
A record number of Krist Samaritan Center supporters turned out for the organization’s annual gala and signature fundraising event, A Samaritan Celebration. The gala at the River Oaks Country Club honored Margaret Alkek Williams, Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Southwest Airlines with The Samaritan Spirit Award for their significant contributions to human health and growth. Through donations and auctions, the event raised more than $300,000 for the center’s counseling assistance fund that provides counseling and mental-health services on a sliding-fee scale. Pictured (from left) are honorees Vic Zachary of Southwest Airlines, Alkek Williams and Hall.
A success for dresses
A crowd of 500 Houstonians with a flair for fashion and philanthropy, including (pictured, from left) Jennifer Sickler, Marla Poirot and Cristina Solomon, gathered at A Night Out, benefiting Dress for Success Houston. The Gardere Wynne Sewell law firm served as sponsor and helped raise nearly $152,000 thanks to the leadership of event chair Rachel Powitzky Steely, a firm partner and member of Dress for Success Houston’s Corporate Guild. With the proceeds, the organization can purchase 500 business suits for women who need them and help fund professional-development programs to support more than 4,000 women. (Photo: Kim Coffman)
Center stage
For her performance as a supporter, the Society for the Performing Arts presented Patsy Fourticq with the 2011 Ann Sakowitz Performing Arts Advocate Award during its 15th annual luncheon on the Jones Hall stage. The event featured Tiger Mom Amy Chua as guest speaker. The 320 guests enjoyed a champagne reception before lunch and decadent mini cupcakes prepared by Jackson Hicks. This year’s luncheon raised $155,000 to benefit SPA’s education and outreach programs. Pictured (from left) are Chua, Fourticq, chair Karen Pulaski and June Christensen, SPA executive director. Also in the crowd were Greg and Gregory Fourticq, Diane Lokey Farb, Tana Wood, Dena Prasher, Terry Wayne Jones, Jay Jones, Chree Boydstun, Katy Caldwell, Kari Gonzales, Debra Grierson, Laura Baird, Kikki Wilson, Roz Pactor, Rosemary Schatzman, Arvia Few and Soraya McClelland.
Charity chat
Thirty-two Houston notables and about 300 of their fans discussed fashion, food, energy, technology, art and meteorology at the Art of Conversation Luncheon chaired by Cindi Rose and Mady Kades to benefit City ArtWorks. ArtWorks funds afterschool visual-art classes for 3,000 children in 50 schools. Deborah Duncan, Frank Billingsley, Molly Glentzer, Shelby Hodge, Bill Stubbs, Dominic Walsh, Jan Carson, Arturo Boada and Rick Barongi were some of the leaders who chatted for charity. Committee members included Patsy Andrews, Sharon Brier, April Gauss and Barbara Hammer. Pictured (at bottom of page, from left) are Marc Ostrofsky, Lynn Wyatt and Tina Marie Jones. (Photo: Herb Hochman)
Ultimate wedding
Thanks to their virtual friends and fans, newly engaged Tyler McQueen and Annie Blaylock are getting their dream wedding from a rock-star group of wedding vendors. With 38 percent of the Facebook vote, the couple won the Entwined 2012 Ultimate Wedding Giveaway Contest. The couple, who have been dating for five years, will marry in March in Fischer in the Hill Country. While McQueen, who graduated from Episcopal High, and Blaylock, who graduated from Lamar High, will personalize the wedding with their style and color preferences, the vendors will take care of everything else, including the cost, allowing the couple to relax and enjoy their wedding.
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