ICONIC FRENCH SHOE DESIGNER Christian Louboutin, known for his signature red soles, opens his first boutique in Houston this month at the Galleria. The 2,250 square foot space, located near Neiman Marcus and next door to MaxMara and Miu Miu, will feature the brand’s signature red carpet throughout. The area designated for women features a blue-lacquered façade, on which multicolored studs create a camouflage pattern; shoes and accessories are displayed in custom metal gates calling to mind a western motif. Meanwhile, the men’s shopping area features lots of leather, gray lacquer panels and a gray-patterned rug, evoking a more masculine ambiance. The latest shoe and handbag offerings from fall/winter 2016, including a spectacular Fireworks collection for men and women, will be on display when the store opens. christianlouboutin.com
Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’
Oct. 8, 2024
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.
What is your mission? Easter Seals Greater Houston is the only organization in the greater Houston area providing comprehensive services to individuals with all types of disabilities, veterans and their families. We impact where people need us the most – school, work, home, and in the community. Enhancing education, advancing health, expanding employment, and elevating the community.
Why did you launch the organization? Easter Seals was originally launched as the school district location for children with disabilities before the ADA was passed in the 70’s. Once ADA legislation was passed, the agency evolved into life changing services and programs serving babies, children and adults with all types of disabilities and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.
What are you most proud of? Easter Seals’ services focus on improving the physical, educational, cognitive, mental and financial health of our clients so they can live as fully participating members of our community. Even though we are very efficient, with over $.91 of every dollar used for direct client assistance, we have still been able to consistently expand services to fill gaps in services for an underserved population.
How have you impacted the community? Each year, we serve close to 15,000 families in Harris and surrounding counties, most living below poverty simply due to medical bills and caregiving issues; our programs not only address our direct client’s need for therapy, school, camps and more; but those of the family through respite, financial education, mental health services and emergency assistance.
Tell us about your big event. Easter Seals is excited to announce our 14th annual “Walk With Me Houston” Family fun walk on April 12, 2025, at the Houston Zoo presented by Prosperity Bank and attended by over 4,000 donors, sponsors, volunteers and clients. Following the walk, is an after-party with children’s activities, music, food, drinks and more. WalkWithMeHouston.org
How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? 250 and more than 200.
How much have you raised since you launched? In the past 20 years, Easter Seals has grown an average of 7% a year-in spite of economic downturns, government funding cuts and the fact that less than 3% of all charitable giving goes to organizations serving people with disabilities. That growth came through a combination of community support-from government funding, the United Way, individual donors, foundations and corporations so that our babies, children and adults receive the services they desperately need without worrying about the cost or their lack of insurance.
What are your major challenges? In spite of medical advancements and the power of technology to improve the lives of veterans and people with disabilities, the need for our services continues to grow-and with that the challenge of raising the funds necessary to support those expanded services grows.
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Kathryn Lott, Guy Hagstette and Barry Mandel
EVERY TWO YEARS, some of Houston's best-known names and most generous patrons descend upon Downtown's Discovery Green park for a night of dinner, dancing and art-admiring.
This year, the Kinders, Tudors and several former or current mayors joined the crowd of 500-plus at the butterfly-themed event, which took flight with an al fresco cocktail hour on the Brown Promenade. The signature Monarch Margaritas were a hit, and were especially enjoyable under the wings of Atlas by Jen Lewin, the park's winter art installation.
The party continued under a glam tent erected on the lush lawn. Illuminated butterflies fluttered gracefully above, and Encore Strings along with harpist Alex Martinez provided a dreamy soundtrack as the black-tie-clad galagoers filtered into the space.
Emcee Derrick Shore kept things lively, and current Discovery Green president Kathryn Lott gave a meaningful tribute to a past president, Guy Hagstette, who was the night's honoree. “The gala is a celebration of the metamorphosis that transformed a parking lot into a gorgeous outdoor cultural center and green space,” said Lott. “The evening is also a celebration of transformations that take place over generations with the new president honoring the first president alongside the children and grandchildren of the park’s founders.”
Chaired by sisters-in-law Kara Kinder Vidal and Maria Vidal Morales, the night also included tunes by Skyrocket! and a live painting moment by Taft McWhorter; his work was among many of the coveted auction items that contributed to the evening's total till, which topped $1 million. Talk about flying high!
Anat and Jay Zeidman
Tommy Pepper, Kathryn Lott
Cody and Kusum Patel
Thomas Kent, Lauren Griffith
Curtis Flowers, Andrea Ashford
Taft McWhorter
Derrick Shore, Brandon Bourque
Skyrocket
Laura Murillo, Sandra Smith-Cooper
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Eduardo Morales, Maria Vidal Morales, Kara Kinder Vidal, Ulises Vidal
Roxann Neumann, Kara Neumann, Tim Neumann
Jaime Loera, George Johnston
Jay and Allie Fields
Portia and Chris Hopkins
Joe and Bri Martin
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Paula and David Law
Michael and Ellie Francisco
Nancy and Rich Kinder
Mark Sullivan, Greg Fourticq, Patsy Fourticq
Melanie Camp, Anthony Yanez, Rebecca Yanez, Nicole Jones, Nick Jones
From Your Site Articles
- New Playground at Discovery Green Finally Unveiled ›
- From Paul Wall to Putt-Putt, Here's What's Happening at Discovery Green This Spring ›
- With Live Tunes and Theme Parties, the Rink Is Ready to Roll at Discovery Green ›
- At Chic Gala Under a Chandeliered Tent, a Surprise $2 Mil Donation Was Discovery Green's 15th Birthday Gift ›
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Brasserie 19
THE RODEO OFFICIALLY opens on March 4, but Houston restaurants have already started saddling up with specials! So boot-scoot on over to one of these restaurants to savor the Texas tradition.
Bayou Heights Bier Garten
To celebrate its two-year anniversary, Bayou Heights Bier Garten is throwing a good ol’ country hoe down on February 22! The party begins at 5pm and festivities include a raffle for Rodeo tickets, a custom cowboy hat pop-up, line dancing and two-stepping lessons, a live performance by Good Time Muffin, and a mechanical bull.
The Pit Room
On Go Texan Day, next Friday, Feb. 28, both the Montrose and the Memorial locations of the Michelin-recognized smokehouse will have live music, petting zoos, a crawfish boil and, for a little taste of the Rodeo carnival, cotton candy!
Eunice
This Upper Kirby Cajun haunt isserving a hearty Cowboy Ribeye for Go Texan Day. It’s topped with crawfish butter, wild mushrooms and potatoes that blends both Texas and Louisiana flavors.
Plume
Want to keep the party going after Go Texan Day? Kick off Rodeo season with a high-energy brunch at the hip Heights cocktail lounge! On March 2, Plume hosts a Western brunch with a DJ and brand new brunch offerings.
Brasserie 19
The always scene-y happy hour at Brasserie 19 is going western for Rodeo! From March 4-23, find new offerings like smoked-turkey-leg croquettes, and venison sloppy Joe sliders. Plus, sip on seasonal offerings like the Gold Rush, Rodeo Mule and Aqua de Vaquer. It’s a perfect spot to pre-game the Rodeo because Brasserie 19 has partnered with Alto to offer 15 percent off rides to and from B19 — just use code BRASSERIE19.
Relish Restaurant & Bar
Enjoy carnival food without trekking to NRG! The River Oaks and Town & Country locations are offering new menu items like mini corn dogs, pulled park sandwich and the rodeo burger with house-ground beef, cheddar, shoestring onions and Relish BBQ sauce. Take a long lunch and enjoy the new beverages like Space City Cowboy with bourbon, blackberry, mint, lemon and maple; or the Rodeo Rita with Mezcal, tequila, lime, blood orange and bitters. These specials are available daily, 11am-5:30pm, from March 4-23.
Pier 6
During Rodeo season, there’s more than seafood at this coastal kitchen! In honor of HLSR, Executive Chef Joe Cervantez is serving up 16-ounce Prime bone-in ribeye with blue crab au gratin potatoes, grilled asparagus salad and bearnaise sauce.
Emma Jane
The normally proper tea house is getting a month-long country makeover. Every Thursday from Feb. 27-March 23, Emma Jane is hosting a special menu for tea service with fried chicken and caviar. Who could resist?
Kolache Shoppe
Need more brisket? Kolache Shoppe is stuffing its pastry confections with the smoked meat from Pinkerton’s and Killen’s BBQ. The result is the brisket-egg-cheddar-jalapeño kolache, available all of March!
Molina’s Cantina
March 2-23, all locations are firing up Jalapeño Chicken Fried Steak for the rodeo! Think top round steak, flavored with taco seasoning, that’s fried until extra crispy and covered with spicy gravy. Yee-haw!
Kazzan Ramen & Bar
Yes, even ramen is getting in the cowboy spirit! The Heights-area ramen shop is offering 10 percent off March 4 through March 23 to guests who arrive in Western attire.
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