Derby Day Bash at Polo Club Raises Record-Setting Amount for Bo's Place. Hats Off!

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Derby Day Bash at Polo Club Raises Record-Setting Amount for Bo's Place. Hats Off!

Emily Hanley and Whitney Sharman

IT MAY HAVE been hot on Saturday, but that couldn’t stop hat-wearing Houstonians from turning up at a posh Polo Club affair benefiting Bo’s Place.


More than 350 supporters attended the Kentucky Derby watch party, which included an auction, bourbon pull, shopping market and, of course, plenty of mint juleps. Chaired by Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with Sheridan and Robert Plumb, the afternoon raised a record-setting $345,000 for Bo’s Place, a nonprofit offering grief support services and resources to children and families in mourning.

The event — dubbed Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes — honored Rick Smith, the former Texans manager who stepped away from his career to care for his wife, Tiffany, who passed from breast cancer in 2019. After recognizing the good that Bo’s Place can do for the bereaved, he became a member of the Board of Directors.

In addition to picking a lucky horse (for each raffle ticket purchased, a guest could physically place their bet on the “racing wall”), attendees also got to try their luck at a game of heads or tails, and the winners received an IW Marks gift card.

Amy and Jon Heibel

Beth Muecke, Kendra Muecke and Milka Waterland

Tammy Johnson and Kendra Smith

Norman and Donna Lewis

Brent and Mariella DeJong, Ally and Martin Shell Van Koolwijk

Molly Ferguson and Jill Smith

Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious

Marc and Duyen Nguyen

Chita Craft and Stephen Lewis

Diana and John Tully

Larry and Lindy Neuhaus, Lauren and Rob Gray

Christina and David McAllen

Claudia and Hank Holmes, Kelli and John Weinzierl

People + Places
Fall Philanthropy Report: Be An Angel Improves Quality of Life for Children with Special Needs

What year was your organization launched? 1986 by a small group of committee community members that believed special needs children were not receiving basic life services.

Keep Reading Show less

Palmaïa The House of AïA

THIS SUMMER, LEBRINA Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, is taking her wisdom and joie de wellness to the jungle. Far beyond the walls of her beautiful spa, she’s aiming to create a quiet space for people to work on their personal growth in a community-centric atmosphere. She shares what participants will get out of the trip and why it’s important to take time for self-care in 2025.

Why is it important for people to “retreat”? Life can feel like a non-stop marathon, and sometimes we forget to just... breathe. Retreating offers a chance to step off the treadmill for a bit and hit the reset button. It's about giving your body and mind some much-needed TLC, allowing for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation. Beyond the personal perks, retreats often create a cool sense of community, connecting you with others on a similar path. By carving out space for self-reflection, you can recharge and return to your daily life with a clearer head and a bit more pep in your step.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back

Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn, and David Guion

VITA LIVING WELCOMED over 300 guests to its annual Pearls of Wisdom Fiesta at the River Oaks Country Club. This year’s dinner — themed Una Notte Italianaraised more than $207,000 in support of lifelong care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties