Yo-Pros Go ‘Mad’ for a Cause, Raise $300,000 for Childhood Literacy

Yo-Pros Go ‘Mad’ for a Cause, Raise $300,000 for Childhood Literacy

Erin Koetter, Lauren Stanfill, Joselyn Tego, Megan Carrasco, and Kimi Minor

YOUNG SUPPORTERS OF the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation gathered at Hotel ZaZa for the sixth annual Storybook Gala.


This year's event was truly enchanting, themed "An Evening in Wonderland" and kicking off with a VIP cocktail hour inspired by the Queen of Hearts. In the ballroom, events-décor group Art Attack created a magical forest with fairy lights, butterflies and mushrooms, and characters including Alice, Rabbit and the Mad Hatter took pics with guests all night.

The nearly 400 young professionals participated in both live and silent auctions, touting items like a Peloton and tons of jewelry, while noshing on bites like lamb "lollipops" and grilled elote at various food stations.

Featured speaker Cathy Garcia-Prats spoke about her school, the San Francisco Nativity Academy of Houston, and how the Barbara Bush Foundation has so positively impacted her community. She also recounted the school's need for a new library, which led to a paddle-raising session that garnered more than $40,000 for the cause.

Afterward, Drywater Band took to the stage, playing hits that had the crowd dancing all night long.

The evening raised nearly $300,000 for the Foundation's childhood literacy initiatives.

Ashley Sloan, Disney Harris, and Camille Connelly

Aysel and Zeeshan Amin

Brian Coyle and Andrea Henry

Catherine Houchins and Allie Jarreau

Christine and Trevor Garfield

Diana Kurteshi and Farris Shenaq

John and Laura Goodrum, Catherine and Sean Tobin

Kate Orsini, Jessica Hyams, Rachel Richards, Tori Tolbert

Megan and Joshua Carrasco

Remy Remeikaite and Devin Bogert

Rory and Kayla Tolunay

Ryan and Meredith Cicatello

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

Houston Arboretum

WE ALL LOVE a Rodeo, but sometimes we need options for events that have a different energy, speed — and crowd size. Check out some artsy, unique happenings around Houston in March!

Keep Reading Show less

Dr. Edward Lee and Nuveau

DR. EDWARD LEE believes in bringing the most advance treatment options to his patients at Nuveau. At the River Oaks practice, he performs the latest nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures, such as BOTOX and fillers, various laser treatments, and other nonsurgical treatmetns such as CoolSculpting and EmSculpt. He also does facelifts, upper and lower blepharoplasty, brow lift, and rhinoplasty for facial rejuvenation. Plus, he can achieve natural results with breast augmentation and breast lift surgery, as well as body contouring, such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, Brazilian butt lift and mommy makeovers.

Keep Reading Show less