parties

Game Night Goes Glam! Inaugural 'Mahj for Mental Health' Is a Hit

Kelli Durham
Game Night Goes Glam! Inaugural 'Mahj for Mental Health' Is a Hit

Heidi Saporito, Ansley Cire, Callie Gaines and Ashley Partridge

THE FIRST-EVER Mahj for Mental Health event, hosted last week at River Oaks Country Club, brought together fashion-forward, philanthropic-minded women for an evening of games and exciting raffles.

Kelli Durham Oster and Callie Gaines partnered with the Mend Center, founded and run by Daniel Garcia, who was recently named to CityBook's 'Cool 100,' to host the game night. Proceeds from the evening went to the nonprofit.

The pair, dressed in flirty floral dresses, welcomed their guests with cocktails in hand, and ushered everyone through a buffet of almost-too-pretty-to-eat bites. Attendees also browsed the raffle prizes, which included items from Oh My Mahj!, the Monogram Shop, LovelyKind Beauty, Shaded Spraytans + Teeth Whitening, and Love George, a children's clothing brand designed and created by Gaines.

Garcia grabbed the mic for a bit to tell those who might be unfamiliar a bit about what the Mend Center does: It seeks to remove the stigma associated with some of the most debilitating mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, through education, treatment and support for families. It recently moved into a Heights bungalow that has been converted to a residential treatment facility — the first of its kind in the country.

Then it was time to mahj! Tables were outfitted with the most beautiful sets (plus arrangements courtesy of fab florist Maria Maxit), and the gals gabbed and gamed for hours. Everyone left with hand-painted cookies designed to look like mahjong tiles from Village Bakery.

The event will return next spring, and Oster says more events are currently in the works.

Dr. Daniel Garcia with his wife, left, and Michele Foreman

Callie Gaines, Daniel Garcia, Kelli Durham Oster

Lea Tcholakian, Kelly Shields, Cara Moran and Callie Gaines

Brooke Horlen and Anna Schleicher

Ashley Partridge

Whitney Rape

Raffle items

From Your Site Articles
Parties
promoted

Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Spa-tacular Getaway Opportunity: Retreat to Mexico this Fall with a Houston Wellness Expert

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
parties

Gelato and Giving Back: Una Notte Italiana for Vita Living

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 Italiana — raised more than $207,000 in support of lifelong care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties