Mattress Mack and Jim Crane Give Surprise Gifts at Crime Stoppers’ Homerun Gala at Minute Maid

BASKING IN THE glow of the Astros World Series win just a week before, and even posing for the selfies with the championship trophy, supporters of Crime Stoppers of Houston gathered on the field at Minute Maid Park to raise funds for crime prevention programs and what the organization calls critically needed victim services.

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