Chaired by Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, the gala honored luminaries Jeff Bagwell, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale — and raised a record-breaking haul of nearly $1.4 million. Highlights of the night included an unexpected additional donation of $300,000 from McIngvale, who gave an impassioned speech on the urgency of the cause; Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney made a similar surprise gift, matching Mattress Mack.
Iconic newsman Dave Ward, a longtime high-profile Crime Stoppers booster, made remarks via video. The 500 guests also heard from the families of recent crime victims in a “fireside chat” portion of the evening’s program, making the importance of the evening more profound.
Memorably, guests were welcome to take photos with the Astros’ Commissioner’s Trophy — the very symbol of the championship — made available by the endlessly generous Cranes.
Boldface names in the crowd included Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, Margaret Alkek Williams, Russell and Glenda Gordy, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Tama Lundquist, Tena and Tyson Faust, Susan Boggio, Dancie Ware and Jim Ware, Laura Ward, Franco Valobra, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, District Attorney Kim Ogg, many other state and local officials, and members of the Zadok family, who gave generous prizes to goose bidding in the “paddles up” portion of the gala.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, Sheridan Williams, Jim McIngvale Matress Mack, Rania Mankarious
Jim Crane, Whitney Crane, Tissy Harding, Rusty Harding
Dror Zadok, Senator John Whitmire, Jonathan Zadok
Gala Chairs Sheridan and John Eddie Williams
Tena Faust, Marge Lundquist, Sandra Smith Cooper, Rania Mankarious, Tama Lundquist
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and Supporters
Justin Vickrey, Krislyn Vickrey, Esmat Ahmed, Hazem Ahmed
Susan Boggio
Ramy Mankarious, Rania Mankarious, Dror Zadok, Vivian King, Helene Zadok
Rania Mankarious, HPD Chief Troy Finner, Metro PD Chief Vera Bumpers
Jordan Seff
Vicki Rizzo and Mauri Oliver
Jeff Gremillion
Chris Becker
