Thousands of Kids Have 'A Place to Dream' Thanks to Record-Breaking Furniture Bank Event

Thousands of Kids Have 'A Place to Dream' Thanks to Record-Breaking Furniture Bank Event

Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, Gary Matocha

HUNDREDS OF GUESTS packed River Oaks Country Club for The Furniture Bank's annual fundraising event. They hit the ballroom floor to ensure no kid sleeps on the floor!


Emcee Linda Lorelle introduced the "A Place to Dream" video documenting the efforts of founder Oli Mohammed and city leaders to give furniture to Houston families in need. The evening's honorees included Youval Meicler of Texas Mattress Makers, and the late Ralph Marek, whose son Stan graciously accepted the award.

A live auction led by Johnny Bravo got the crowd excited, and musician Doug Montgomery kept the energy high all the way through dessert and coffee. A record-breaking $300,000 was raised for The Furniture Bank, which has since 2018 provided beds to more than 4,000 children in need.

Aaron and Jessica Glick

Syed and Kelsey Iman

Ben Marek, Neha Dubey

Stan Marek and Regina Rogers

Bob Gulitti, Lisa Gulitti

Oli Mohammed, Jeff Cummins, Harry Cummins

Kevin Gilliard and Frank Billingsley

Michele and Youval Meicler

Mike and Francie Willis

Laura Barnett, Daniel Cavazos

John Parsley, Mike Holland, Stan Marek, Brent Ballard

Parties

WHAT TO DO when a beautiful botanical garden is overgrown with green briars, poison ivy, ragweed, and other undesirable plant species that prevent the growth of new trees? Call in the goats! Specifically, about 120 super cute goats from Rent-a-Ruminant Texas, who return to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center on Tuesday, June 4, to partake in a week-long banquet of invasive vegetation, effectively clearing three acres south of the meadow between the South Meadow Trail and the Muscadine Trail along the Outer Loop.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

John and Carly Whitehurst and Claudia and Brad Freels

THE FIRST-EVER Wish Ball was held at The Post Oak Hotel this month, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana chapter.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties