Junior League’s Charity Ball Gathers Small Groups Together, Raises $600K

Junior League’s Charity Ball Gathers Small Groups Together, Raises $600K

Lauren Brown, Rachel Regan, Amanda Pritchett

PERHAPS ONE OF the final "virtual" events of the season, the Junior League of Houston's 73rd annual Charity Ball was also one of the most successful. While it's traditionally held over multiple evenings, this year's was hosted on a single night — but by multiple League members who invited small groups into their homes to stream the event.


Watch parties, like ones hosted by Junior League President Rachel Regan and member Beth Zdeblick, gave the gals an excuse to dress up and mingle in a safer way. Before the "Illuminate" ball began — the theme a nod to how the organization spotlights and spreads hope and volunteerism — a floral centerpiece along with candles, sparklers and a three-course dinner with wine and Champagne were dropped off on guests' doorsteps. Then everyone tuned in to the program, which kicked off with a video message highlighting the group's charity efforts and included testimony from community members who benefited from the Junior League's work over the last year.

The "big board" and silent auction were also virtual this year, of course — but that didn't put a damper on contributions. Items up for grabs included tropical vacations, beautiful baubles from Diamonds Direct and Tenenbaum Jewelers, cooking classes, and a clever "Best of Houston" date-nights-for-a-year package.

Together, attendees raised $600,000 for the organization; the funds will assist in serving the 34 nonprofit agencies with whom the Junior League works.

Alexandra Yates, Whitney Walsh, Amy Comiskey, Katie Hackedorn

Lauren Gates, Anat Zeidman

Trey & Julie Comiskey, Rachel & Mark Terpstra

The Salazar watch party

The Regan watch party table setting

Wendy Lewis Armstrong & Vince Armstrong, II

Marie & Kevin Newton

The Zdeblick watch party

Andrea Davidson, Rachel Regan, Marcie Berry, Keli Luce

Parties
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

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

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