ZaZa Lunch Promises to 'Make a Difference' for Houston's East End

Daniel Ortiz
ZaZa Lunch Promises to 'Make a Difference' for Houston's East End

Barbara Van Postman, Phyllis Williams, Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Donna Chapman

THE HOTEL ZAZA ballroom hosted 250 generous supporters for the annual Making a Difference luncheon benefiting El Centro de Corazón.


Event chairs Kelli Cohen Fein and Barbara Van Postman, along with honorary chairs Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Leila Perrin, threw a great party for the nonprofit, which provides comprehensive healthcare services to low-income residents of Houston’s East End. El Centro sees more than 12,000 patients — most of whom live below the federal poverty level and are uninsured — each year.

Emcee Cyndy Garza Roberts kept the energy levels high as honorees Halliburton Charitable Foundation and the Honorable Ed Emmett and Gwen Emmett were announced. And El Centro CEO Marcie Mir gave remarks noting the recent passing of El Centro founder Mary Jo May, who was committed to providing accessible, affordable healthcare to those in need.

An interesting conversation between physicians Esmaeil Porsa and James McCarthy discussed how Covid changed healthcare, and the opportunities it created, too.

The event raised more than $161,000 for El Centro.

Anne Neeson and Hallie Vanderhider

Sippi Khurana and Rosemary Schatzman

Chelsea Collmer and Laurie Sanders

Lisa Gochman and Maggie Glaser

Rosemary Schatzman, Marilu Garza, Barbara Van Postman and Donna Chapman

Cyndy Garza Roberts and Gloria Zenteno

Cynthia Wolff and Beth Wolff

Diana Barrero-Burgos, Laura Jaramillo

Elizabeth Stein, Bill Baldwin and Denise Monteleone

Scott and Jennifer Allison

Parties

Kira (photo via @kirahtx)

SCHOOL IS STARTING, travel is slowing, and restaurants are in high gear for fall. When you’re ready to hit the town, here are a handful of newcomers including side by side gems from Levi Goode, more Japanese, and a sweet Insta-ready brasserie that has celebs talking and everyone else clicking.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Roka Akor's Summer Sushi Experience

AUGUST IS ALWAYS the hottest month of the year. Many Houstonians endure the dog days of summer by trying out a Houston Restaurant Week menu. And Greenway’s sushi hotspot Roka Akor has upped the game with three specially priced menus — and lots of chilled sashmi — to get through the last of the season!

Keep Reading Show less
Food