Houston Hospice’s Butterfly Luncheon Spreads Its Wings, Raises $150K for Kids

Anthony Rathbun
Houston Hospice’s Butterfly Luncheon Spreads Its Wings, Raises $150K for Kids

Lisa Malosky, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson and Aida Matic

THE 21ST BUTTERFLY Luncheon, benefiting Houston Hospice and its pediatric Butterfly Program, featured a moving testimony by Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson, a former Miss America and a hospice nurse.


Introduced by emcee Lisa Malosky, Rafko-Wilson took the mic at the Junior League of Houston, where more than 200 supporters gathered on a sunny Friday afternoon. She spoke about her experiences as a nurse, and what it was like starting a hospice care service in her hometown of Monroe, Mich. Her stories had the audience in tears, both from laughter and from crying.

The event garnered $150,000 that will go directly to the Houston Hospice Butterfly Program, which cares for children ages two to 18 who have life-limiting conditions.

Joyce Salhoot, Rana McClelland, and Al and Nancy Gatmaitan

Judy Bristol, Eileen Abu-Rish and Sally Lukatz

Sue White and Rose Cullen

Nyla Nahas and Medina Hassansie

Jill Johnson and Nancy Thurington

Linda Olvera and Ruthie McGilbert

Cheryl Sorenson and Cynthia McGowen

Meg Horne and Becky Nahas

Ann Becker, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson and Debra Kahn

Lisa Malosky

Parties
Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Beth Muecke, Justin Garcia

HANDSOME HOUSTON ARTIST Justin Garcia held a homecoming of sorts at Downtown’s Z on 23. He’s been on a world tour with Orphaned Starfish Foundation, the nonprofit that helps orphans, survivors of trafficking, and refugees break their cycles of abuse and poverty. Garcia is traveling to all 80 of the foundation’s programs around the world, creating unique art pieces that aim to capture each program's unique feel with color, shape and words.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Diana Madero, Thea Pheasey, Alejandra Peterman, Hillary Jebbitt

EIGHT CHEFS, THIRTY years — and one big dinner! Urban Harvest rang in its fourth decade of community gardens, farmers markets and food access at their annual farm-to-table dinner cooked up by some of the most notable chefs in town.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties