Maddy and Patrick Moffitt and Christina and David McAllen
Event chairs Maddy and Patrick Moffitt and Christina and David McAllen were thrilled with the turnout of more than 350, who sipped mint juleps and sampled delicious fare while admiring the decor courtesy of The Events Company. In addition to Derby-adjacent games and bets, guests enjoyed silent and live auctions and a bourbon pull.
The afternoon honored Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with the Champion of Hope Award; Carol shared her grief journey from nearly 20 years ago when her husband passed. “Bo’s Place exists to offer support and community to those who have experienced the death of a loved one," said Bo's Place Executive Director Jennifer Boubel. "We are a non-profit, free-of-charge bereavement center that offers multiple grief support services for children, families, and adults, and provides education and resources for those who assist people in grief.”
The Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes benefit raised a whopping $362,000, the most ever for the event.
Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious
Cliff and Jordan Vaughn
Steve Boubel, Jennifer Boubel
Cyndy Garza and Thomas Roberts
Ellen and Jonathan Kopp
Stacey and Al Lindseth
Kathryn Swain, Heather Clark, Emily McAndrews
Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook
Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Tammie Johnson, Kristen Cannon
Glenda Demas, Rick Smith
Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, Gary Matocha
Emcee Linda Lorelle introduced the "A Place to Dream" video documenting the efforts of founder Oli Mohammed and city leaders to give furniture to Houston families in need. The evening's honorees included Youval Meicler of Texas Mattress Makers, and the late Ralph Marek, whose son Stan graciously accepted the award.
A live auction led by Johnny Bravo got the crowd excited, and musician Doug Montgomery kept the energy high all the way through dessert and coffee. A record-breaking $300,000 was raised for The Furniture Bank, which has since 2018 provided beds to more than 4,000 children in need.
Aaron and Jessica Glick
Syed and Kelsey Iman
Ben Marek, Neha Dubey
Stan Marek and Regina Rogers
Bob Gulitti, Lisa Gulitti
Oli Mohammed, Jeff Cummins, Harry Cummins
Kevin Gilliard and Frank Billingsley
Michele and Youval Meicler
Mike and Francie Willis
Laura Barnett, Daniel Cavazos
John Parsley, Mike Holland, Stan Marek, Brent Ballard
“Benefitting Camp H-Town, this much-anticipated evening is one of the city’s premier philanthropy events,” noted a rep for the hotel. The event raised a record $360,000.
More than a dozen chefs turned out for Celebrity Chefs Against Cancer, offering tasting-size delights, washed down with inventive cocktails and special wines from Maisons Marques & Domaines. Participating chefs included Bludorn’s Marie Ridle, Field & Tides’ Travis Lenig, Hando’s Man Nguyen, Nobie’s Martin Stayer, Roma’s Shannon Scott, Uchi’s Stephen Conklin, Uchiko’s Shaun King, Xochi’s Hugo Ortega and two chefs from the hotel — Jonathan Esparza of Toro Toro and Four Seasons Exec Pastry Cheff Krystin McCarley.
“Celebrity Chefs Against Cancer brings our incredible Houston community and the city’s top chefs together,” said Tom Segesta, general manager of the hotel. “In addition to being a fun and indulgent evening of amazing food, drink, connection, we raise a lot of money to provide these amazing and brave children with a summer camp experience created just for them.”
TV’s Miya Shay served as emcee for the event, and Johnny Bravo was the auctioneer, selling off such gems as a puppy, an original painting by Taft McWhorter, a five-night stay in an overwater bungalow suite at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, and a white gold, sapphire, and diamond pendant by Peter Martino.
Conducted in collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, the oncology camp provides kids who have been touched by cancer with a fun and safe sleep-away camp environment at no financial cost to the campers’ families.
- On a Perfect Spring Night, Hermann Park Fans Gather for Dinner Under the Stars ›
- At Foodie-Friendly Golf Tourney, Super Bowl Champ Owen Daniels Takes a Swing at Food Insecurity ›
- Have Food, Will Travel: From Austin to NYC, Here Are Fall Food and Wine Festivals Worth the Trek ›
- Top Chefs Serve Up Food Frenzy at Four Seasons, Support Camp for Kids Touched by Cancer ›
