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Cool Kickoff: Juvenile Diabetes Group Promotes Spring Gala with Lovely Cocktail Party

Cool Kickoff: Juvenile Diabetes Group Promotes Spring Gala with Lovely Cocktail Party

James and Elizabeth Elder, Rick Byrd

RAINY WEATHER COULDN'T keep supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from kicking off their 2024 Promise Ball with good cheer and high hopes.

Gathering at the home of longtime supporters Freyja and Travis Lauritsen, so 60 guest enjoyed cocktails and a fabulous menu of bites from Masraff’s. Tuna Tartar tacos, truffled grilled cheese sandwiches, Wagyu meatballs or bacon-wrapped shrimp, anyone?

But, of course, the reason for the event wasn’t about the food. “Promise Ball chairs Jordan and Brian Amis shared their story of hope when JDRF came to their aid when their then 10-month-old son was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes,” said a rep for the org. The young man is now 15.

JDRF will celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of Houston’s highest netting fundraisers — the Promise Ball — Hilton Americas on Saturday, April 13, 2024. JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, the organization said, adding: “JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of diabetes from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence and a working plan to bring life-changing therapies from the lab to the T1D community.”

Linda and Bob Brown

Bob and Peggy Kruckemeyer, Angelique and Martin Montoya

Lindsay and Tyler Brochstein, Rick Byrd, Andrea and Michael Soper

John Shepherd, Rob Williams, Dan Feather

Monica Jefferson, Lia Nguyen, Teresa Trình

Rose and Chris Cerny

Christie Stewart, Blayne Bonham, Lindsay Brett

Don and Sue Sue Aron

Jordan and Brian Amis

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

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.

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Children’s Museum Supporters Go Goth-Glam at Million-Dollar Gala

Alexander's Fine Portraits

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.

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‘You’re the Inspiration’: Generous Donors Give $6.2 Mil to Kids’ Charity as Famous Band Takes Stage

Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group

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.

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