A BIG CROWD turned up at the Post Oak Hotel for the Children at Risk gala, raising some $360,000 focused on “understanding and addressing the root causes of child poverty and inequality,” per its mission statement.

Fred Armisen of Saturday Night Live and Portlandia fame was the headliner, entertaining the crowd of 430 with offbeat comedy and musical bits.

Suzan and Jeremy Samuels and Beth Wolff served as event chairs for the Stand Up for Children event. Other big shots were on hand, including emcee Khambrel Marshall and honoree Sippi Khurana. “Khurana gave impassioned remarks that included statistics for Texas showing the importance of Children at Risk’s research and advocacy, pinpointing the areas needed for change in health, education and welfare of children,” said a rep for the event organizers. “Her 3 d-grade daughter Seva gave a beautiful invocation to start the evening.”

VIP guests included and Ed Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Ajay Khurana, Kristen Cannon, Alice and Matthew Brams, Shaina Perry and Jeremy Ross, Shawn and Donald Bowers, Amy and Rob Pierce, George Connelly, Evelyn Leightman, Katie and Seth Tsuru, and David Charles.

Cynthia Wolff, Henry Florsheim and Beth Wolff (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Bob and Ellen Sanborn (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Chris Schreck and Megan Schreck (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Julie Dickinson and David Charles (photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Jayne Johnston and Kristen Cannon (photo by Jacob Power)

Rainer Munzel, Ursula Munzel, Evelyn Leightman and George Connelly (photo by Daniel Ortiz)