Cyndi Lauper Rocks Out at Houston Children’s Charity’s ’80s-Glam Gala

Michelle Watson and Gary Matlz
Cyndi Lauper Rocks Out at Houston Children’s Charity’s ’80s-Glam Gala

Cyndi Lauper performs

ON FRIDAY, HOUSTON Children's Charity celebrated 25 years of providing area kids with clothing, furniture, toys and school supplies. Nearly 600 friends of the organization gathered at The Post Oak Hotel for a glam gala that raised a record-breaking $2.8 million for the cause.


"Time after time," one might say, the charity has given back to Houston's children — so it's only fitting that chairs Frances and Tony Buzbee and the board of directors invited Cyndi Lauper to headline the event. Inspired by the pop icon, the venue was outfitted by Richard Flowers with far-out floral arrangements and guests donned their bodacious '80s best in lieu of black-tie.

Silent auction items included diamonds, gourmet meals, vacations in Argentina and Montana, and more. Tenenbaum gave everyone a raffle "chip" for a chance to win jewelry; additional chips could be purchased with donations of $100 or more. And a live auction included a 2022 BMW 4 Series convertible!

The crowd also came together to donate a total of 22 new vans for the Houston Children's Charity Van Program, which provides transportation for families with children who have disabilities.

The crowd was large, but Covid mitigation efforts were in full effect, including air purification systems, temperature checks, and pre-event testing for all party staff.

Tony and Frances Buzbee

Mario Elia, Tamara Washington, Gina Gaston, Laura Ward

Fady Armanious

Ilene Allen, Doug Vrooman

Robert and Candice Horry, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell

Kevin Black, Tony Bradfield, Joanna and Brad Marks

Cal and Hannah McNair

April and Dr. Jorge Salazar

Morris and Toni Smith

Paige Fertitta, Lorraine Jacobs, Laura Mudd, Tammy Michaelis

Amy and Rob Pierce

Russell and Monica Ybarra

Parties
Reyna Group Owner Leads Real Estate Market with Passion and Excellence

MICHELLE REYNA WYMES, a distinguished name in the Houston real estate market, is the owner of the successful boutique brokerage, Reyna Group. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michelle has deep-rooted connections to the community she serves with dedication and pride.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

Keep Reading Show less