What year was your organization launched? 1938
What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.
March of Dimes funded research that led to the development of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin in the 1950s. The vaccine was a major factor in eliminating polio from the United States.
Today, March of Dimes focuses on improving the health of mothers and babies regardless of race, gender, wealth, or geography. Our mission is to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Through advocacy, education, research, and support programs, March of Dimes works to ensure every baby gets the best possible start.
How have you impacted the community? March of Dimes works across the Greater Houston area to further our work to end preventable maternal health risks and deaths and ending preventable preterm birth and infant death. Each year, we bring comfort and care to more than 25,000 families and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through our NICU Family Support Program at three area hospitals. In 2023, March of Dimes invested $5.7 million in active research grants to end preventable maternal and infant death, to discover the causes of preterm birth and to achieve birth equity for all mothers, regardless of race or class. This winter, the organization will launch the first ever Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center in Texas in collaboration with Memorial Hermann Health System that will address access to care issues for women and babies in underserved areas right here in Harris County.
Tell us about your big event. Signature Chefs brings together culinary talent from across Houston for an unforgettable evening that raises critical funds to support the health of moms and babies. This year’s event is co-chaired by longtime friends of March of Dimes, Kristen J. Cannon and Mignon Gill, and will be held at The Revaire on Thursday, November 14th. Guests can expect tasting stations from renowned local chefs, signature cocktails, curated auction with exclusive items and experiences, and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We are thrilled to have some of Houston’s top chefs and restaurants represented including A Fare Extraordinaire, Eunice, Le Jardinier, MaKiin, Navy Blue and many more!
Join us this November for an evening of fine dining and philanthropy to advance March of Dimes mission. Visit our event website for more information and to purchase your table today!
www.signaturechefs.org/Houston
How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? In 2023, our local Houston market engaged more than 800 mission, corporate and individual volunteers. The Houston staff team is comprised of 12 dynamic individuals that focus on fundraising, mission impact and volunteer engagement.
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Go Inside Houston Ballet's 'Golden' Evening that Raised $1.65M!
Dave Rossman and Melissa Taylor
Mar. 4, 2025
Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious
EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.
This year’s event was inspired by Stanton Welch’s adaptation of Raymonda, a story about Raymonda and the sinister plot by the queen’s advisor to tear her love apart. Gold drapes and vibrant florals inspired by the "Peacock Ballroom" in Raymonda set the tone for the cocktail hour, and galagoers perused silent-auction items like a trip to New York Fashion Week, a chance to be a Houston Rockets ball boy (or girl!), and more.
In the Grand Foyer, Richard Flowers and The Events Company created a lavish and luxe scene with layers of lace and velvet, a black-and-white dance floor and striking chandeliers. Everyone savored the dinner courtesy of City Kitchen, and applauded the night's honorees, Deborah and Edward Koehler, who established a scholarship fund in honor of the inimitable principal dancer Lauren Anderson.
Suddenly, though, 21 ballet dancers stormed the dance floor for a surprise performance set to Harry Styles' "Golden," choreographed by Demi Soloist Jack Wolff and featuring former Principal dancer Lauren Anderson. After gold streamers rained from the sky, guests joined the packed dance floor and boogied to the tunes of party band Stratosphere. The night raised more than $1.65M for the Houston Ballet.
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
Co-Chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, Co-Chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Ann and Murphy Graham
Troy and Allison Thacker
Dancers Harper Watters and Karina Gonzalez with Ballet supporters
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones
Daniel Irion, Marguerite Swartz, and Kirk Kveton
Gary and Susan Binney
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Suprise Performance to Harry Styles' "Golden"
Henry and Andrea Medina
Steven and Mignon Gill
Henry and Jean May, Stanton Welch
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens
Sharon Roark, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Leslie Alston
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, Sasha Davis
Margaret and Jonathan Cox
Kristy Bradshaw, Alicia Smith, Melissa Juneau
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- A Sparkling Night: Ballet Ball Returns to Wortham with ‘Jewels’ Theme, Collects $1.4 Million ›
- Recalling Royal Bashes and Crown Princes of Old Europe, Ballet Ball Dazzles, Raises $1.6 Mil ›
- Virtual ‘Home Edition’ Ballet Ball Stars Ballet Dancers Gone Disco! ›
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At Posh Tony’s Fete, Baly’s New Doctorate and Life of Service Honored
Alejandro Olivares
Mar. 5, 2025
Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck
THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”
And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.
Baly’s doctoral research focused on improving retention and graduation rates for African American college students through mentorship, financial resources, and cultural support.
The doc’s accomplishments in and out of the classroom are impressive, many in the crowd noted. Chair of the Harris County Women’s Commission and a UH prof, Baly has helped secure millions in funding for Texas universities and well as nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society and the YMCA.
Spotted in the crowd: Rosemary Schatzman, Terri Wang, Yvonne Cormier, Julie Baker Finck, Alice Mao Brams, Dexter McCoy, Lesley Briones, Justice Kevin Jewell, Susanna Dokupil, Tonya McLaughlin, Donae Contessa Chramosta, Beth Wolff, Bruce Padilla, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke, Cheryl Byington, Kim Padgett and Frank Billingsly.
Pitsami Norm, Terri Wang and Thanh Svahn
Mary Sage and Beth Wolff
Kevin Jewell
Terri Wang, James Craig and Rosemary Schatzman
Yvonne Cormier
Alex De Aguiar Reuter, Ann Ayre and Daniel Iron
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