Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ Event Nets More Than $850K to Encourage Kids to Stay in School

Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ Event Nets More Than $850K to Encourage Kids to Stay in School

Colleen Walker, Scott McClelland, Judy Tate

WONDERFULLY WHIMSICAL DÉCOR, colorful cocktail attire, and vivacious live music — what more could partygoers ask for? How about raising more than $850K for an important cause that impacts at-risk students all over Houston!


For its 45th annual gala, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Houston threw a fun and funky Alice in Wonderland-themed bash at the Post Oak Hotel. Chaired by Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam — with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate — the evening kicked off with a “Drink Me” cocktail reception complete with Queen of Hearts red roses.

The 600 guests filtered into the beautiful ballroom, welcomed by emcee Lisa Malosky. After an invocation by Chapelwood’s Rev. Wick Stuckey and remarks from CIS’s Judy Tate and Rey Saldana, a video celebrating the organization’s 45 years was shown. A group of students and school staff also spoke at the gala aout ho CIS has impacted their lives. CIS places at least one full-time student-support specialist — who offers counseling, academic support and health and human services — on the campus of more than 160 schools across Houston.

Dinner was delicious (braised short ribs, grilled shrimp, a fun “Eat Me” dessert!) and energized the crowd to move onto the dancefloor. Houston go-to Klockwork had galagoers dancing the night away.

Ann and Hughes Milam

Ben and Lacey Melancon

Brian Williard, Rachel Gower, Michael Broderick, Allison Gower, Lauren Dougherty

Carmen and Chris Golden

John and Cassie Milam and Lauren and John Brollier

Katie Decker, Lisa and Evan Lee

Katrina and J.C. Clemens

Leigh-Anne McQuitty, Lacey Dalcour-Salas

Michele McClinton, Matt Garcia-Prats, Joni Hine

Martha Barrera and Natalia Araujo

Parties

Jose and Carolina Quiros

OF THE MANY festive fetes over the weekend, the annual Boo Ball benefiting Ronald McDonald Houston may have been the biggest, most spook-tacular one! More than 700 costumed partygoers descended upon the Hilton Americas ballroom, where a haunted house — complete with photo opps and bubbly — awaited.
Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Mel Chin's 'Actual Size' billboard

IN A TIME when our nation’s politics seem hopelessly divisive, it may be surprising to learn that prison reform — including improving conditions inside prisons and enacting viable alternatives to incarceration — is a bipartisan issue. And it’s one that hits home for Houstonians.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment