Colorful Crowd Raises Nearly Half a Mil to Encourage At-Risk Students to 'Stay in School'
Apr. 4, 2023
Chairs Whitney and Marc Lawson and Lexi and Mike Marek
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS hosted its annual gala at The Post Oak Hotel, where nearly 500 supporters of the nonprofit gathered to raise funds for initiatives to empower at-risk students.
Chairs Whitney and Marc Lawson and Lexi and Mike Marek planned a vibrant celebration with a rainbow color scheme; many of the attendees wore gowns in the ROYGBIV color families — some in Astros orange and blue as a nod to Opening Day.
The evening's program, led by Lisa Malosky, featured a video celebrating a decade of the CIS Mental Health Initiative, and a plan of action for Mackenzie Scott's $13 million donation made in 2022. There were also emotional testimonies given by current and former CIS students who have been positively impacted by the organization over the years.
Following a surf-and-turf dinner and tasty creme brûlée dessert, the Spazmatics helped get everyone on their feet with '80s party hits. In all, the Stay in School gala raised $425,000, which will benefit more than 170,000 students at 173 schools in the Houston area.
Amu Lal, Mariela Mejias de Perez and Analesa Schleicher
The Spazmatics
Carina and Brooks Antweil
Christina McAllen and Kathryn Swain
Shubhra Endley with Kapil and Sheela Mathur
Brooke Malone and Mike Veloano
Laura Hill and Sarrah Petersen
Don Friedell and Lisa Malosky
Holly Alvis and Valerie Dieterich
Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin
CIS Student Support Manager Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School students
Ashley Seals and Justin Flynn
Whitney Lawson with Husein and Rosy Hadi
Kori and Cody Biller
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Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K
Daniel Ortiz
Apr. 4, 2023
Zach and Margot Davis with Alana and Greg Highberger
FOR FOUR DECADES, the aptly named Trees for Houston has been planting and protecting trees all over the city. Its annual Root Ball event celebrated the milestone anniversary while raising an impressive $520,000 for the organization.
Chaired by Rudeina Baasiri and Debbie Gregg, the al fresco gala had a "patio-chic" dress code, which was apropos for the breezy spring night. Refreshing apps like blackberry crostini and a Bayou Breeze cocktail — renamed Tree Breeze for the night — welcomed the 425 guests, who participated in a wine and spirits pull before a gourmet dinner. Attendees also enjoyed live tunes courtesy of the Tin Man Band.
A successful paddle raise contributed to the night's total till of $525,000, which will go toward Trees for Houston's mission to plant more than 70,000 trees annually in the region. Later this year, the organization will move into a stunning new headquarters that includes a tree farm and education center.
Debbie Gregg and Rudeina Baasiri
Sallie Alcorn and Lisa Helfman
Austin Bocciardi, Jamie Heiland, John David Barnes and Kyle Kern
Megan Keefe, Heather Rentrop, and Laura and Josh Lock
Bernie and Stacy Garcia
Garett and Kim Dietrich, Cheryl Huffman and Brian Chambers
Lashawndra Proctor and Trevence Mitchell
Chloe and Reed Schmergel
Don Howell and Letty Knapp
Joe and Cathy Cleary, Joey and Maddie Cleary, and Randi Koenig
Jessica Roman, Julia Armada, Anal Agha and Stef Adams
Amy Peck and Jordan Fein
Carrie and Chris Estes
Gloria Bounds and Tim Yurick
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