Lance McCullers Jr. and Houston ‘Sweethearts’ Feted at Saks Schmooze

Brigitte Kalai, Ghada Ali, Lance McCullers Jr. and Christine Johnson

OFF-DUTY ASTRO Lance McCullers Jr. was among those honored at the “Houston Sweethearts” event at Saks Fifth Avenue just before Valentine’s Day.

The truly heart-felt annual tradition, always held in early February, offers praise for generous community leaders, and support for the Mission of Yahweh. The annual event was created by Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts and Alicia Smith, who were all on hand for this year’s 13th annual celebration.

Pro pitcher McCullers’ fellow 2024 Sweethearts included his wife Tara, who couldn’t make the event as she was home tending to the couple’s new baby daughter, as well as Elsie Eckert, Scott Evans and Stacey Lindseth. The baseball star kindly schmoozed the gathered crowd of about 100.

The Houston Sweethearts Tea took place in Saks’ Designer Rotunda, with new GM Heidi Parkhurst Turney — returning to the Houston store after having served as its assistant manager in the past — offering a kind welcome. “I’m extremely happy to be back in Houston and surrounded by such an incredible group of people,” she gushed.

The Mission of Yahweh has been serving homeless women and children since 1961, according to organizers of the event. Charly Gay, the granddaughter of the founder of The Mission, was on hand to represent the beloved nonprofit. Other VIP guests included Betty Tutor, Brigitte Kalai, Sidney Faust, Cora Sue Mach, Lilly Andress, Christine Johnson, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Ann Ayre, Nini Hale, Cheryl Byington, Anna Dean, Beth Wolff, Donae Chramosta, Jacquie Baly, Ellie Francisco, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion.