Trees for Houston Puts Down Serious Roots, Toasts New Campus and $485K Till at Annual Ball

Trees for Houston Puts Down Serious Roots, Toasts New Campus and $485K Till at Annual Ball

Helen Winchell, Marti Grizzle, Brittany Franklin, Jensen Wessendorff

HUNDREDS OF TREE-LOVING Houstonians savored and celebrated the good life at the La Dolce Vita-themed, 30th-annual Root Ball benefiting Trees for Houston.


Fittingly taking place at The Forest Club, the party wasn't hindered by a bit of soggy weather arbor enthusiasts know rain contributes to healthy tree growth, after all!). It took inspiration from the Amalfi Coast, from the breezy-chic attire to bites like prosciutto-wrapped melon and drinks such as Aperol spritzes.There was a lot to recognize on this night: It's the organization's first big bash since moving to its sprawling new Kinder Campus and upping its annual tree-planting numbers to 70,000-plus.

After a cocktail hour spent browsing the wine and spirits pull and a raffle courtesy of Zadok Jewelers, guests moved to the clay court, transformed by a yellow-and-white-draped tent and a canopy of native trees. Dinner was an Italian spread of chicken caprese, gnocchi and more, and a moving video presentation and paddles-up fundraiser had gala-goers buzzing with excitement as they moved onto the dance floor. The Grooves Band entertained for the rest of the night, and upon departure, guests grabbed an olive tree to plant at home.

Kristopher and Christiane Stuart, and Carrie and Jerry Alexander

Sarah Dallimore, Roxy Yeoh

Gary and Debra O’Neil

Lindsey Carlson, John O’Rourke

Kara Przypyl McIver, Kristen Kupperman

Janice Gregory and Marc Tausend

Joey and Maddie Cleary

Brad Trentham, Lindsey Long

Ryan Dumais, Vanessa Ingrassia

Al Ortiz, Brian Blowers, Slgi Jolissaint, Rhiannon Lear

Austin Smith, Ashley Smith

Will Maywald, Lauren Lothringer

Pamela and Garrett Lindsey

Meredith Symonds, Tom Flaherty

Cyrus Jaganathan, Teresa Lopez

Katherine Pulse, Cheryl King

Jonathan and Kasey Scullion

Jennifer and Greg Coleman

Margaret McCarthy, Mark Gress

Jessie and Gloria Bounds

Katie and Tim Yurick

Katelyn and Trevor McIntosh

Parties
Theresa Roemer Is an Entrepreneur and Podcaster with Great Audience Connection

I AM AN accomplished philanthropist, esteemed motivational speaker, renowned fitness expert, and host of an engaging podcast UNHINGED. Through my diversified endeavors, I have established several successful ventures, including TR Beauty and The Vault, a private community catering to like-minded people. Additionally, I am the founder of Houston Style Icons, a platform dedicated to honoring and acknowledging Houstonian style, and Fashion Woodlands, an annual fashion show that I have meticulously curated. Furthermore, I actively engage with my audience through my YouTube channel, providing valuable content and insights.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places