parties

Houston 'Stands Up and Shows Up,' Crime Stoppers’ Gala Garners More than a Million

CatchLight Group
Houston 'Stands Up and Shows Up,' Crime Stoppers’ Gala Garners More than a Million

Jordan Seff, Brigitte Kalai, Hallie Vanderhider and Rania Mankarious

YET ANOTHER ORGANIZATION threw a million-dollar fundraising event: This time, it was Crime Stoppers of Houston, whose annual gala at the Hilton Americas raised a record-setting $1.04 million, much of which will fund a new Safe Community Research Center.

More than 500 guests joined CEO Rania Mankarious to toast the 41st year of "standing up and showing up" to do something about crime. The night kicked off with a cocktail reception, at which patrons oohed and ahed over the raffle item, an E-Z Go Express S4 golf cart.

Inside the ballroom, folks were seated for dinner and the rest of the program. Matthew McConaughey sent a surprise video message, and gala co-chairs Amy Leibman, Genny McIntyre and Sheridan Williams also spoke to the audience about the importance of protecting the community for generations to come.

The main issue discussed was felony bond reform, and the evening featured an emotional discussion among families of victims who were allegedly killed by defendants released on felony bonds.

Scott and Lindsay Aronstein, Patricia King-Rittter and Tom Ritter

Honoree Dave Ward

Andy Kahan, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Amy Leibman and Senator Joan Huffman

Caldwell Flores, Katie Jones and Cherie Flores

Bill Baldwin, Hallie Vanderhider and Fady Armanious

Ramy and Rania Mankarious, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Laura Ward

The colorful cocktail reception

Justin and Krislyn Vickrey

Conversation with special guests Paul Castro, Theresa Seck and Chuck Cook

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Thrive & Inspire: Alchemy’s Arquella Hargrove ‘Inspired by People Making an Impact in the World’

Thrive & Inspire: Alchemy’s Arquella Hargrove ‘Inspired by People Making an Impact in the World’

Arquella Hargrove, Chief Culture Officer and Owner of the Alchemy Consulting Group

WHAT IS THE secret to running a successful business? The secret to a successful business is a rockstar team. With a rockstar team, clients experience the transformation within their culture. This also is connected to other success factors — a commitment to relentless change, communicating courageously, and collaborating to win. The ultimate goal is to be the change for our clients and to create a culture where team members thrive and grow exponentially.

Keep Reading Show less
food

Októ Joins Mi Luna and Marmo as Hot Spots at Mediterranean-Marvelous Montrose Collective

Paella Valenciana at Mi Luna

THOUGH IT'S BEEN in Houston less than a decade, Sof Hospitality has made major inroads with foodies and critics alike. Its concepts include Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa and Badolina Bakery, all of which deliver the rich flavors of Israeli cuisine in complex, photogenic and delicious dishes. Its newest, Októ, opened earlier this year, one of several energetic restaurants to bow in the Montrose Collective, just in time for the holidays.

Keep Reading Show less
Food
art

Five Fabulously Diverse Exhibits Are Arriving at Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Bill Viola’s ‘Ascension,’ on display as part of ‘Living with the Gods’ at MFAH

THE ARTIST WHO ushered in the expressionist movement in the early 20th century was not, in fact, Picasso or Matisse. It was Paul Gauguin, whose career spanned the decades just preceding the turn of the century. The French painter is the subject of the Museum of Fine Arts’ latest exhibit, Gauguin in the World, which was organized by Henri Loyrette (formerly of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, Paris). The show, just one of the museum’s diverse winter season shows, debuted in Australia in June and will be on display through Feb. 16, 2025, at the MFAH, the only U.S. venue for the survey.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment