Tootsies was, for once, more about baseball fans than fashionistas, as a fab crowd of Astro lovers gathered at the shopping mecca to hobnob with some of their favorite players. Beloved pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., MVP second baseman José Altuve, and three-time Golden Glove winner Dallas Keuchel hosted the event to raise money for a variety of causes close to their hearts, including The Sunshine Kids and McCuller’s own foundation, which promotes pet rescue and adoptions. Other ’Stros in attendance included Carlos Correa, George Springer and Justin Verlander, along with Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. In the end, the sluggers and their supporters — like Judge Ed Emmett, Terri and John Havens and Vivian Wise — raised $360, 000. Now that’s a homerun!
Fall Philanthropy Report: Spindletop Community Impact Partners Engages and Supports At-Risk Youth
What is your mission? Spindletop Community Impact Partners, Inc. enhances the lives of at-risk youth through funding and volunteering from the energy industry, while promoting fellowship and networking among its participants.
What are you most proud of? Spindletop is proud to support 35 non-profit organizations in Houston, all aligned with our four pillars: Educate, Empower, Protect, and Nurture. Together, we work to create brighter, healthier, and more fulfilling futures for Houston’s at-risk children.
At the heart of our success are more than 60 corporate sponsors and supporters from the energy industry, who provide both financial support and volunteer time. Since 2018, the Spindletop Army has grown to more than 500 dedicated volunteers, ensuring impactful projects for Houston’s youth are executed with great care, enthusiasm and precision.
How have you impacted the community? At Spindletop, we strive to make a lasting impact on the greater Houston community by connecting at-risk youth with programs that educate, empower, protect, and nurture them throughout their lives.
Our four giving pillars guide this mission:
1. Educate: Bolstering foundational educational resources to ensure success at all levels of schooling.
2. Empower: Fostering confidence and life skills that support social and emotional development.
3. Protect: Advocating for children’s safety and overall well-being in the community.
4. Nurture: Providing support for healthcare and wellness to individuals facing illness or special needs.
Spindletop provides critical funding to worthy causes that span across these pillars, including Bo’s Place, BridgeYear, Camp For All, Kids’ Meals, Texas Center for the Missing and more. For the full list, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/SCIPWWD24
Tell us about your big event. The Spindletop Holiday Ball is the premier holiday event in the energy industry, capturing the merriment of the holiday season all the while raising more than $1 million annually to support Houston’s at-risk children.
This year, we will celebrate the 50th Annual Spindletop Holiday Ball, Seas and Greetings, on Thursday, December 12. Guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening under the sea as we honor industry leaders and their contributions to the community as a whole. Highlights of the evening include a dance performance by Ensemble Theatre, a Holiday Toy Drive with toys collected by our holiday “elves” from Girls Inc. of Greater Houston and a beautiful poinsettia tree cultivated by citizens of The Brookwood Community - all Spindletop non-profit partners. The evening is capped off with dancing to the musical stylings of Password.
If you or your corporation are interested in supporting this year’s Spindletop Holiday Ball, please contact Spindletop Executive Director Lia Vallone at info@spindletophouston.org.
Amalfi Ristorante Invites Wine Lovers to Explore Campania with a Special Six-Course Dinner
THIS WEDNESDAY, AMALFI Ristorante will transport guests to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Italy’s Campania region, home to the glamorous island of Capri, with a six-course dinner. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, will be paired with wines from Agricola Bellaria Winery, one of Campania’s most celebrated estates.
Founded by Antonio Pepe, a third-generation grape-grower, Agricola Bellaria began its journey in 2002 as an olive oil producer before expanding into wine production in 2008. Today, the winery has earned accolades from competitions, including Decanter, the International Wine Challenge in London, and the Los Angeles Wine Competition. Pepe himself will be on hand to share the story behind the winery and its award-winning wines.
For his part, Chef Ferrara grew up on the Amalfi coast as the youngest of seven children, and often helped his mother in the kitchen. He experience spans the globe, including a stint at the Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin.
On the menu, expect hand-cut fresh pasta, suckling pig and strip loin from a wood-burning oven. Tickets are $155/person; reservations can be made by calling 713.532.2201
Thousands Turn Up to Kick Off the Nutcracker Market at a Pair of Fab Fashion-Show Fetes
A PAIR OF fashion-show events kicked off the annual Nutcracker Market in support of the Houston Ballet.
The Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon hit the runway at NRG Center first, with Ileana Treviño and Beth Zdeblick as chairs and TV’s Deborah Duncan as emcee, raising more than $450,000. Nearly 1,500 guests turned up for the stylish affair.
“Amidst a dreamy backdrop of whites and cream, guests dined stage-side while models donning Sachin & Babi designs — courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue — dazzled on the runway,” noted a rep for event organizers. “Contemporary yet classic pieces set an idyllic backdrop as a solo violinist executed a series of effervescent tunes, delivering a mix of spirited pop.”
The following day, Macy’s took center stage, for another fashionista fest drawing nearly 1,500 and raising about $375,000. Michelle Barrett, Sarah Davidson and Michelle Jeffery served as chair, with another Houston TV personality, Amy Davis, stepping in as emcee.
“Models glided down the runway in a blur of cream and gold to the holiday classic ‘Snow,’ which was followed by the contrasting bright and vibrant ensembles from the Disney collection,” said a rep. “Mickey Mouse even joined in on the fun, dancing down the catwalk to ‘Hey, Mickey!’ Another delight was the tribute to ‘Wicked,’ where models showcased their best Glinda- and Elphaba-inspired looks.”
The Nutcracker Market provides support for Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship programs. Since its inception in 1981, Nutcracker Market has raised more than $90.5 million for the Ballet.
Saks guests included Tracey Williford, Megan Kessler, Beth Zdeblick, Ileana Treviño, Sharon Erskine, Heidi Turney, Kristy Bradshaw, Lindsey Brown, Julie Kent, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Martha Finger, Mignon Gill, Shawn Stephens, Blair Kessler, Jo Furr, C.C. Conner, Chita Kraft and Ann Bean. Macy’s welcomed Michelle Barrett, Sarah Davidson, Michelle Jeffery, Cheryl Zane, Amy Davis, Gary Hudgins, Susan Binney, Melissa Reihle, Jennifer Kushner and Tina Raham Stewart.
Allison Chavez, Devorah Rose and Chea Kelly at Saks show
Debbie Christ, Renee Humphrey, Katrina Anrim and Tina Raham-Stewart at Saks show
Sarah Lane and Lisa Sharp at the Macy's show
Models at the Macy's show
Deborah Elias, Laurette Veres and Jessica Rossman at Saks
Megan Kessler, Sarah Davidson and Camille Wieprecht at Macy's show
Wendy Burks, Renee Humphrey and Anne Graham at the Macy's show