Huge Crowd — Including Roller-Skating Divas — Brings Down the 'House' for Ronald McDonald

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power

AJ and Siobhan Gracely

GALA SEASON IS now in its prime, and Houston socialites are as busy as they've been in years! More than 700 gathered at the Hilton Americas hotel to toast 40 years of the city's Ronald McDonald House at a gala chaired by Allison and Dan Connally.

Founded by Liz Kelley, the organization provides care and long-term support for families going through treatment in the Med Center. Her son, Sean Kelley, who suffered from childhood cancer, was her inspiration, and made an appearance at the big event. Longtime patrons, including Emily and Holcombe Crosswell, Peggy and Dick East, Flo McGee, Marilyn and Louis Mogas, and Diane and John Riley, were presented with an award thanking them for their decades of support.

The party had all the usual activities, including silent and live auctions — the latter of which gave away an impossibly cute Australian Labradoodle to the highest bidder.

Before the Dry Water Band took to the stage, Board President Larry Hanrahan had everyone raise a glass to the occasion — and then confetti canons shot into the air and roller-skating dancers appeared, gliding around the room to the tune of "Dancing Queen."

The evening raised a million dollars to further Ronald McDonald House's mission to provide families a home away from home during trying times.