Sold-Out Lunch Brings MS Society Supporters, Houston Heavy-Hitters 'Together for a Cure'

Daniel Ortiz
Sold-Out Lunch Brings MS Society Supporters, Houston Heavy-Hitters 'Together for a Cure'

Joy McCormack, Rita Joubran and Katie Brass

A SOLD-OUT affair at the River Oaks Country Club raised more than $200,000 for an important cause, one near and dear to many Houstonians' hearts.


Four-hundred-plus guests attended the MS Society's Together for a Cure luncheon, chaired by Franelle Rogers and emceed by ABC13's Chauncy Glover. Fellow KTRK reporter Melanie Lawson — whose father Rev. William A. Lawson, a noted civil-rights advocate and sometimes referred to as "Houston's pastor," was also in attendance — spoke to her colleague Art Rascon onstage about her experience living with MS. Rogers presented her with an award title Media Champion, and the crowd gave her a huge round of applause.

The afternoon also honored Karen Tellepsen, Denise Jones, Kara Olfield and the McCormack family — Joy and Don and their children, Hanna, Ian and Evelyn.

Sarah Back, Jennifer Tellepsen

Art Rascon, Franelle Rogers and Melanie Lawson

William Lawson, Mary Williams, Vandetta Levingston, Thomas Carter

Bob and Denise Jones, Mark and Karla Olfield

Nancy Strohmer and Beth Wolff

Cardon Gerner and Nancy Gerner

Mary Chandler and Jeannie Chandler

Luba Bigman, Cheryl Faillace

Carleta Sandeen, Jolene Cook, Linda Ittner

Kelli Cohen Fein and Rosemary Schatzman

Cheryl Byington, Heidi Rockecharlie

Kat LaPoint, Nikki Beisty

Don and Joy McCormack

Cathy Brock and Alison Tennant

Karen Tellepsen

People + Places
As Escape Spa Expands in 2025, Owner Has Advice on Personal Growth: ‘Focus on Intention Setting’

CHANGE IS A good thing, and with the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on how far I've come and start fresh by setting self-care goals for the coming months. Personal growth is a passion for me, and also something I enjoy. Guiding a business through growth and change is also one of my passions, so I am very pleased to announce that Escape Spa is going to be expanding in 2025! We’re honored that we’ve built such a loyal following since opening in Cypress in July of 2022, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to grow our wellness and recovery sanctuary just outside of Houston.

Keep ReadingShow less

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Keep ReadingShow less