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

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

Brigitte Kalai, Margaret Alkek Williams, Alicia Smith, David Wuthrich

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

Parties
Top Realtor Beth Wolff Says Her Career Took Off ‘When I Focused on Others’
How did you get where you are today? “Life is what happens while you’re making plans.” After graduating with a BBA from the University of Texas, I married, and was a stay-at-home mom. Divorcing when my children were just four and six, I became their sole supporter, and I chose real estate for the time flexibility and income potential. After four years working for another Broker, I founded my own company with one sales associate and 375 square feet. Little did I imagine this journey. Houston offers amazing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and persevere! I have watched the city mature with the addition of all the wonderful, talented people from around the country and around the world who have made Houston their home. It was once said that Houston had a “can do, cowboy capitalism attitude.”
Keep Reading Show less

Surf lessons are taught by handsome Australian instructors

THE PERSONAL SERVICE starts as soon as guests clear customs at the Maldives’ Malé Velana international airport. Visitors are whisked away in a speedboat to the Gili Lankanfushi resort, reminiscent of the opening scene of a new White Lotus season. While sipping a ginger juice, guests’ shoes are taken off and feet are cleaned. Then they’re handed back their belongings, in a bag labeled “No news, no shoes” — Gili’s mantra.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Listed by Kim Perdomo with the Perdomo Group, 290 Knipp was under contract after just five days.

IS A HEALTHY, balanced real estate market finally here? Per HAR data, the answer is ... kind of? Inventory is at the highest level since 2011, prices are holding steady, and the city and metro area continue to grow in population. Having lost population after Harvey and Covid, the city welcomes significant yet sustainable growth — and a housing market that can handle it.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate