CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool
Chaired by philanthropists Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, the magical evening supporting the valuable and impactful work of CIS of Houston begins at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour, then dinner and the program. Rounding out the event is live entertainment by the popular Houston-based band Klockwork. Guests can dance the night away, starting at 9pm.
The always diverse crowd makes for a dynamic event. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in “Wonderland Whimsy Cocktail” attire, with the goal of fun and festive. Cocktail attire is also a great option.
Don Friedell and emcee Lisa Malosky at a previous CIS Gala
Attendees at a previous CIS Gala
A full ballroom at a prior CIS Gala
CIS of Houston's Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School seniors
CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant and CIS of Houston Dir. of Development Donna Watkins with CareSource Foundation
Special guest at the 45th Anniversary Gala is Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National in Arlington, VA. During the program, guests will view a powerful video about the life-changing work of CIS Houston, in addition to hearing heartwarming testimonials, bringing a personal touch to the evening.
Funds raised from A Night in Wonderland will support the CIS mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Currently serving 163 campuses across Greater Houston, CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver comprehensive direct services including counseling, academic support and health and human services.
The chairs want to thank the event’s top-tier donors to date: Judy and Charles Tate; CenterPoint Energy; Sharon G. Dies; The Marie and James H. Galloway Foundation; Beth and Bob Gower; and Marathon Oil.
Tickets are going fast! They start at $500, and tables for 10 range from $5,000 through $50,000. Underwriting opportunities are still available.
Judy Tate (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Scott and Kirby McCool
Kit Detering, Cassie Milam, Carl Detering (photo by Jenny Antill)
Sharon G. Dies and Lauren Brollier
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Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson
More than 700 costumed revelers — Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, and more! — were greeted a magical-castle photo backdrop, and grabbed a glass of bubbly on their way into the main ballroom. Event chairs Jennifer and Scott Allison mingled with the creatively dressed guests and gala honorees Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Vuong Ho, Deric Jech and others. And the organization's CEO, Cristina Vetrano, gave remarks thanking guests for their support of their ongoing mission to provide the safety and comfort of "home" to seriously ill children and their families during long hospital stays.
In addition to a silent auction, a raffle and a "Baubles and Bottles" draw, a "paddles up" contest generated more than $185,000 in less than five minutes — plus a match of $150,000 from an anonymous donor. Johnny Bravo emceed this portion of the evening, which raised funds specifically for 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments for families who need extended stays in the Med Center.
Partiers packed the dance floor thanks to Radio Live, who kept the beats pumping all night long.
Aaron and Victoria Bludorn
Zac and Courtney Hamon
Angel and Amy Hinijosa
Ben and Bethany Buchanan
Will and Semmes Burns
Cristina Vetrano, Tom and Lesha Elsenbrook, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Tinkerbell
Crowd dancing and singing with the band
Tiffany Riggs, Angela Majors, Gracie Hernandez, Logan Harrison
Susan Blaney and ZoAnn Dreyer
Edward Sanchez and Kristen Cannon
Steve Genest, Peggy Micko, Peggy East, Dick East
Erica Bartlett, Matthew Begnaud
Frank and Natalie Vega
Gary and Judith King
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Dees
Ronald McDonald and Johnny Bravo
Jessica and Gray Lisenby
Kurt and Michelle Lyn
Mike and Susan Blaney
Laura Thompson
Nicole Mott, Michelle Marandi
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Buddy & Kylie Carruth, Margaret & Jay Magness
Chaired by Zane and Brady Carruth, the evening started with a ghoulish reception that included magicians and fortune tellers in the Equine Rescue Arena that was decorated to look like a haunted mansion — floating candles and ghost dancers included! The horse barn was open for photo ops, and some of the horses wore costumes to partake in the night’s festivities.
Emcee Deborah Duncan welcome the crowd before it was time for a spellbinding three-course dinner as TUTS dancers performed “I Put a Spell on You”. Bone-appetit!
The live auction included a game in the Buzbee Suite at Kyle Field; a night out with Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud; a weekend getaway for at a Galveston beach house; and the opportunity to experience a release of rehabilitated bald eagles.
After dinner, “cocktails, cuddles and cookies” were available in the dog and cat adoption area, where sweet pups and kittens were available for petting and holding. The fab-boo-lous evening raised $1.3 million for those animals in need.
Allison and Jim Bagley
Bill Boyce, Ray Echevarria, Bruce Lundstrom, Scott Davenport
Carl and Cindy Bohannon
Deborah Duncan & Duncan Horner
John and Terry Johnson
Kristen & Mike Kelly
Brady and Zane Carruth
Hannah Barker, Ashley Nguyen
Cathy and Larry Kelley
Chris & Susan Dray
Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon
Ryan & Katherine DeLongchamps