Brigitte Kalai, Margaret Alkek Williams, Alicia Smith, David Wuthrich
Chaired by Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, the gala honored luminaries Jeff Bagwell, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale — and raised a record-breaking haul of nearly $1.4 million. Highlights of the night included an unexpected additional donation of $300,000 from McIngvale, who gave an impassioned speech on the urgency of the cause; Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney made a similar surprise gift, matching Mattress Mack.
Iconic newsman Dave Ward, a longtime high-profile Crime Stoppers booster, made remarks via video. The 500 guests also heard from the families of recent crime victims in a “fireside chat” portion of the evening’s program, making the importance of the evening more profound.
Memorably, guests were welcome to take photos with the Astros’ Commissioner’s Trophy — the very symbol of the championship — made available by the endlessly generous Cranes.
Boldface names in the crowd included Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, Margaret Alkek Williams, Russell and Glenda Gordy, Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Tama Lundquist, Tena and Tyson Faust, Susan Boggio, Dancie Ware and Jim Ware, Laura Ward, Franco Valobra, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, District Attorney Kim Ogg, many other state and local officials, and members of the Zadok family, who gave generous prizes to goose bidding in the “paddles up” portion of the gala.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, Sheridan Williams, Jim McIngvale Matress Mack, Rania Mankarious
Jim Crane, Whitney Crane, Tissy Harding, Rusty Harding
Dror Zadok, Senator John Whitmire, Jonathan Zadok
Gala Chairs Sheridan and John Eddie Williams
Tena Faust, Marge Lundquist, Sandra Smith Cooper, Rania Mankarious, Tama Lundquist
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and Supporters
Justin Vickrey, Krislyn Vickrey, Esmat Ahmed, Hazem Ahmed
Susan Boggio
Ramy Mankarious, Rania Mankarious, Dror Zadok, Vivian King, Helene Zadok
Rania Mankarious, HPD Chief Troy Finner, Metro PD Chief Vera Bumpers
Jordan Seff
Vicki Rizzo and Mauri Oliver
From Your Site Articles
- Despite Last-Minute Venue Change, Fertitta’s ‘True Blue’ Gala Smashes Fundraising Records - Houston CityBook ›
- Mira Sorvino, Crime-Fighters Unite Against Human Trafficking, Bring in $1M at Glam Downtown Gala - Houston CityBook ›
- Fertitta's 'True Blue' Backyard Bash Raises $1M for Houston Police - Houston CityBook ›
- Cowboy Cool: Crime Stoppers’ Texas-Themed Gala Raises $2 Mil for Safer Streets in Houston - Houston CityBook ›
Xerxes Pundole, Chris Souders and Patrick Raborn
Nearly 500 patrons attended the tasting and competition, held at the Post Oak Hotel, where 12 of Houston’s top somms selected their favorite wines and were rated based on their choices, presentation and knowledge. Bludorn, Le Jardinier, Trattoria Sofia and March were among the restaurants represented.
The evening raised a record-breaking $420,000 for the Periwinkle Foundation, which funds programs for children, young adults and families who are fighting cancer and other critical illnesses.
Josh Karan and Ryan O. Harris
Quitman Smith, Cynthia Wolff and Gabriela Smith
Leah Garza and Lan Le
Mick and, Mary Jo Cantu, and Margie and Larry Wilson
Bryan and Suzanne Monk
Mark and Amy Thibodeaux
Kassie and Mike Lancaster
Elizabeth and Anthony Garcia
Lorri and Casey Vaughan
From Your Site Articles
- Pop and Pour! New Cali Food and Wine Festival Ropes in Texas Celeb Chefs, Spotlights Sonoma ›
- Posh Houston Restaurants Score Big in 2022 Wine Spectator Awards ›
- ‘Iron Sommelier’ Fundraiser Among Flurry of In-Person Charity Parties This Week ›
- Vinophiles Pour It On for Periwinkle Foundation, Crown New 'Iron Sommelier' - Houston CityBook ›