CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool
Chaired by philanthropists Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, the magical evening supporting the valuable and impactful work of CIS of Houston begins at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour, then dinner and the program. Rounding out the event is live entertainment by the popular Houston-based band Klockwork. Guests can dance the night away, starting at 9pm.
The always diverse crowd makes for a dynamic event. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in “Wonderland Whimsy Cocktail” attire, with the goal of fun and festive. Cocktail attire is also a great option.
Don Friedell and emcee Lisa Malosky at a previous CIS Gala
Attendees at a previous CIS Gala
A full ballroom at a prior CIS Gala
CIS of Houston's Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School seniors
CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant and CIS of Houston Dir. of Development Donna Watkins with CareSource Foundation
Special guest at the 45th Anniversary Gala is Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National in Arlington, VA. During the program, guests will view a powerful video about the life-changing work of CIS Houston, in addition to hearing heartwarming testimonials, bringing a personal touch to the evening.
Funds raised from A Night in Wonderland will support the CIS mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Currently serving 163 campuses across Greater Houston, CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver comprehensive direct services including counseling, academic support and health and human services.
The chairs want to thank the event’s top-tier donors to date: Judy and Charles Tate; CenterPoint Energy; Sharon G. Dies; The Marie and James H. Galloway Foundation; Beth and Bob Gower; and Marathon Oil.
Tickets are going fast! They start at $500, and tables for 10 range from $5,000 through $50,000. Underwriting opportunities are still available.
Judy Tate (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Scott and Kirby McCool
Kit Detering, Cassie Milam, Carl Detering (photo by Jenny Antill)
Sharon G. Dies and Lauren Brollier
A cheesy spread at Via 313
Via 313
Via 313's Redwing Pizza
This new Detroit-style, Austin-born pizza joint is paying homage to its roots with the Red Wing Pizza — named after Detroit’s hockey team — available through March 31. This beauty is crafted with fresh mozzarella, garlic, natural casing pepperoni, marinated tomatoes and red onions, fresh Parmesan and basil. Yes, please!
North Italia
Craving pi-gantic flavors? On March 14, the popular eatery will kick off its month-long Pi Day celebration by launching 10 regional pizzas and one national pie, each inspired by both regions in Italy and North Italia’s restaurant locations across the country. Each regional pizza was dreamt up by a North Italia chef and pays homage to a region in Italy. Houston locations at CityCentre and The Woodlands will offer The Heatwave (isn’t that appropriate?), inspired by Calabria and made with nduja, poached shrimp, potato, charred green onion and caciovallo. The nation-wide Hot Honey & Smoked Prosciutto pie will also surely be a hit. The $20 pies are available at their respective locations through April 10 for dine-in, takeout, or delivery via DoorDash.
Home Slice
Home Slice
Another Austin-born pizzeria, Home Slice in Midtown serves New York-style pies with 2-3 toppings. But Houstonians wanted more, so on March 14, they are rolling out the new ‘supreme’ style. Referred to as #8, the supreme will be topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and black olives. On Pi Day, slices of the newbie will be available at the Houston shop for $3.14. “Ever since we opened in Houston, people have been asking us for a supreme pizza,” explains Home Slice Partner Jeff Mettler. “This is new for us, but the people have spoken and we’re finally ready to make the supreme a permanent menu item.”
Pizzana
Pizzana
Want a piece of LA’s hottest pie? In other pizza news, Pizzana will be the newest kid on the block in burgeoning River Oaks Shopping Center when it opens later this month. Expect tons of creative options with consciously sourced toppings like the Corbarina with squash blossoms, burrata and gremolata. LA’s best Caesar salad, Best Cali-Ital, and Essential West LA Restaurants are a few of its many accolades. We’ll be reporting back on this!