Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K

Daniel Ortiz
Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K

Zach and Margot Davis with Alana and Greg Highberger

FOR FOUR DECADES, the aptly named Trees for Houston has been planting and protecting trees all over the city. Its annual Root Ball event celebrated the milestone anniversary while raising an impressive $520,000 for the organization.


Chaired by Rudeina Baasiri and Debbie Gregg, the al fresco gala had a "patio-chic" dress code, which was apropos for the breezy spring night. Refreshing apps like blackberry crostini and a Bayou Breeze cocktail — renamed Tree Breeze for the night — welcomed the 425 guests, who participated in a wine and spirits pull before a gourmet dinner. Attendees also enjoyed live tunes courtesy of the Tin Man Band.

A successful paddle raise contributed to the night's total till of $525,000, which will go toward Trees for Houston's mission to plant more than 70,000 trees annually in the region. Later this year, the organization will move into a stunning new headquarters that includes a tree farm and education center.

Debbie Gregg and Rudeina Baasiri

Sallie Alcorn and Lisa Helfman

Austin Bocciardi, Jamie Heiland, John David Barnes and Kyle Kern

Megan Keefe, Heather Rentrop, and Laura and Josh Lock

Bernie and Stacy Garcia

Garett and Kim Dietrich, Cheryl Huffman and Brian Chambers

Lashawndra Proctor and Trevence Mitchell

Chloe and Reed Schmergel

Don Howell and Letty Knapp

Joe and Cathy Cleary, Joey and Maddie Cleary, and Randi Koenig

Jessica Roman, Julia Armada, Anal Agha and Stef Adams

Amy Peck and Jordan Fein

Carrie and Chris Estes

Gloria Bounds and Tim Yurick

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

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.

Keep Reading Show less

Casey Axelrod, Stacey White, Christy Robinson, Laura Lewis and Mia Oliva

PETE BELL'S COTTON Holdings company, known for never doing anything halfway when it comes to parties, celebrated the return of the of the A&M-UT football game after a 13-year hiatus with the most lavish tailgating more gridiron fans have ever seen.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture

David Cordua

FOODIES WITH BIG hearts were in heaven at the annual Signature Chefs restaurants expo and fundraising dinner benefitting the March of Dimes. Held at The Revaire and chaired by Kristen J. Cannon and Mignon Gill, the event took in some $425,000 in support of healthier mothers and children.

Keep Reading Show less