Whiskey, Custom Cowgirl Boots and Diamonds: These Fundraising Ladies Are in a League of Their Own

Priscilla Dickson and Daniel Ortiz
Whiskey, Custom Cowgirl Boots and Diamonds: These Fundraising Ladies Are in a League of Their Own

Amanda Boffone, Jane Johnston, Amy Comiskey, Mimi Forester, Julie Comiskey

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE’S annual Charity Ball was a true taste of Texas, hosting 600-plus members and their guests for the first large-scale event in two years.


From the comfort-food-chic fare — a la mac and cheese alongside a crab-topped filet, and finished off with a pecan ball and lemon ice box pie — to the décor, which included thousands of Texas wildflowers, the great state shone brightly. There was even a boot-polishing station and a whiskey-tasting setup courtesy of Giant Distillery.

A live auction raised $100,000 by flaunting items like a vacay to Belize, a tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, tickets to see George Strait, custom his-and-hers boots from Republic Boot Company, and jewelry galore. The Grooves and the Honky Tonk Revivalists jammed out as guests boot-scooted their way onto the dance floor.

The weekend’s till topped $900,000. Yee-haw!

Adam and Stephanie Massey with Brett and Kristen McDonald

Anne Sears and Jennifer Roberts

Walter Sassard and Ruchi Mukherjee

Sydney and Barry Goss

Rebecca Morgan, Emily Scott, Jennifer Weinstock, Valorie Colter and Mallory Williams

Megan and Luke Hotze

Mitra Woody, Jennifer Howard and Marcy de Luna

Ben and Katie Eisterhold

Eric and Lisa McCarthy

Faisal and Madison Tai

Honky Tonk Revivalists

The Grooves

Bethany and Ben Buchanan

Parties
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

THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

Keep Reading Show less
Party People