parties

Have Faith! In Troubled Times, Interfaith Gala Lifts Spirits, Raises Funds

Have Faith! In Troubled Times, Interfaith Gala Lifts Spirits, Raises Funds

Brigitte Kalai, Casey Curry, Susan Boggio

ONE OF THE most heartfelt and moving balls of the year — the gala for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston— was a splendid success. And, given the tense state of world affairs, its message of unity and peace was deeply appreciated.

Featuring and multi-faith invocation, including uplifting words from leaders in the city’s Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities and others, the annual event raised nearly $750,000 to support the organization’s various services. These include Meals on Wheels and an “Animeals” program that feeds pets for in-need shut-ins.

The event began with jazz band “Brass Animals” making a lively second line through the “mocktail” hour at the Hilton Americas in Downtown. “During the reception, guests were treated to live art demonstrations including Sana Mirza creating Thuluth style calligraphy, illuminating the arabesque in gold,” added a rep for the event’s organizers. “Nazli Cizmeci presented the art of Ebru, the Turkish practice of paper marbling.” A dinner of chicken marsala and seared seabass followed, with a vegetarian option of portobello mushroom with saag paneer.

Honorees for the evening — Pastors Juanita and Rudy Rasmus of St. John’s United Methodist Church, and dedicated philanthropists and volunteers Susan and Dan Boggio — were lavished with well-deserved praise.

Co-chairs for the evening included Karen and Jay Harberg, and Tehmina and Faisal Masud; Brigitte and Bashar Kalai served as honorary chairs. VIP guests included Kathy Flanagan, David Leebron, Y. Ping Sun, Beth Wolff, Casey Curry, Paul-David Van Atta, Gregg Harrison, Tama Lundquist, Tena Lundquist Faust, Amy Pierce, Robert Sakowitz, Philamena and Arthur Baird, and Karen Labat of Shell USA.


Christina Jones and Dr Kathy Flanagan

Dr. Faisal and Tehmina Masud with Karen and Jay Harberg

Jill and Mark Eddings

Rudy and Juanita Rasmus with Christina and Stacy Jones

Vican and Stephanie Sun

Nihala Zakaria and Mandy Kao

Susanne and Randall Evans

Parties
promoted

With Expertise in Blondes, Extensions and More, the Janelle Alexis Team Is a Go-To Salon

Al Torres
With Expertise in Blondes, Extensions and More, the Janelle Alexis Team Is a Go-To Salon

YOU CAN'T LIMIT Janelle to one title – Hairdresser. Her career and business has been established and built on a strong foundation. Using her two business degrees + one more in-process, this enables Janelle and the team to deliver not only a customer-focused experience, but a foundationally solid business. There is much more than meets the eye, and in sharing a little bit about Janelle, she was not only an international hair extension educator for over 14 years, but brings extensive expertise to blondes. She rounds this out with her previously launched namesake cosmetic line, which is a perfect complement to her belief that “Beauty is our Business”.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less