Summer 2018: On Location
Check out behind the scenes of the swimwear shoot at H-Town's most expensive home on the market.
Jun. 5, 2018
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.
Lisa Rich, Jessica Givens, Coco Lu
BETWEEN AN EXCITING raffle and runway show, Homemade Hope's fash bash at Tootsies was a truly tasteful success! More than 160 well heeled attendees also enjoyed browsing the season's most stylish offerings and chatting with Homemade Hope's executive director, Blair Bentley Ozenbaugh, about its mission to support at-risk children via mentoring and culinary lessons.
Festive balloons wrapped the store, courtesy of Topped Off, and Johnny Bravo kept the beats spinning all evening long — and emceed the fashion show! It featured community leaders and Homemade Hope supporters strutting their stuff in the latest looks from Tootsies and Festari for Men.
Following the runway presentation, Johnny Bravo announced winners of raffle prizes — tickets to see Luke Bryan at the Rodeo, a Tootsies shopping spree, and Astros' Diamond Club seats were highly coveted items! More than $75,000 was raised to further Homemade Hope's mission.
Tiffany Halik, Trent Kelley, Laurie Cacioppo
Adam Greer
Bart and Beverly Bentley
Scarlett Hankey and Brooke Bentley Gunst
Calvin Krall and Monica Patel
Oliver Stevenson and Mary Lou Pringle
Michelle Leal, Rome Street
Blair Bentley and Brooke Bentley Gunst
Chelsea Collmer and Laurie Sanders
Lisa Woods
Debbie and Rudy Festari
Brittany Owen
Linda Bischoff, Alex Heins, Ryan Thanos
Kendall Monroe, Katie Tsuru
Julie Thomas, Kathleen Graf, lila Sherifan
Ellecia Knolle
Haniyeh Mirdamadi and Young Son
Heidi Feller, Sandy Patout
Heidi Feller, Sandy Patout
Jessica Givens, Melissa McDavid, Rae Solberg
Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark
IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.
The theme was Monet’s garden and the grand foyer was transformed into a picturesque lush scene with floral archways and a lifesize lilypond painting with an archway. Dazzling guests took photos and mingled during the cocktail hour that featured passed sipping tequila from Casa Dragones — because why not?
The ballroom was as posh and verdant as the foyer with large wooden gazebos flanking the rows of tables topped with extravagant boutiques of pink roses and various hues of hydrangeas and greenery.
The Post Oak Hotel’s Executive Chef Jean-Luc Royere created a three-course French-inspired meal for the occasion including a French country salad, filet mignon served alongside potato gratin and Grand Marnier pain perdu for dessert. Following dinner, revelers danced the night away to Q the Band.
This ball was chaired by Zane & Brady Carruth and Brittany & Adam Clark and honored Cora Sue Mach with Houston Symphony’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Franco Valobra as Houston Symphony’s Community Honoree.
Betty and Jesse Tutor
Barbara Burger and Gary Ginstling
Margaret Alkek Williams
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Bob and Joan Duff
Chris and Kristy Bradshaw
Daniel Irion, Karen Payne and Kirk Kveton
Eric and Lisa Lindsey
Alice Mao and Matt Brams
Edward and Rini Ziegler
Elia and Michael Gabbanelli
Jim and Dancie Ware
Jonathan and Ann Ayre
Lisa and Eric Lindsey
Tammie and Charles Johnson