parties

Fairytale 'Boo Ball' Yields Happy Ending for Ronald McDonald House

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Fairytale 'Boo Ball' Yields Happy Ending for Ronald McDonald House

Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson

SUPPORTERS OF RONALD McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston gathered for a whimsically fun fete at the Hilton Americas hotel. The 2024 Boo Ball was themed "Once Upon a Time," and it raised a true happily-ever-after amount of $1 million — a new record!

More than 700 costumed revelers — Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, and more! — were greeted a magical-castle photo backdrop, and grabbed a glass of bubbly on their way into the main ballroom. Event chairs Jennifer and Scott Allison mingled with the creatively dressed guests and gala honorees Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Vuong Ho, Deric Jech and others. And the organization's CEO, Cristina Vetrano, gave remarks thanking guests for their support of their ongoing mission to provide the safety and comfort of "home" to seriously ill children and their families during long hospital stays.

In addition to a silent auction, a raffle and a "Baubles and Bottles" draw, a "paddles up" contest generated more than $185,000 in less than five minutes — plus a match of $150,000 from an anonymous donor. Johnny Bravo emceed this portion of the evening, which raised funds specifically for 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments for families who need extended stays in the Med Center.

Partiers packed the dance floor thanks to Radio Live, who kept the beats pumping all night long.

Aaron and Victoria Bludorn

Zac and Courtney Hamon

Angel and Amy Hinijosa

Ben and Bethany Buchanan

Will and Semmes Burns

Cristina Vetrano, Tom and Lesha Elsenbrook, Jennifer and Scott Allison

Tinkerbell

Crowd dancing and singing with the band

Tiffany Riggs, Angela Majors, Gracie Hernandez, Logan Harrison

Susan Blaney and ZoAnn Dreyer

Edward Sanchez and Kristen Cannon

Steve Genest, Peggy Micko, Peggy East, Dick East

Erica Bartlett, Matthew Begnaud

Frank and Natalie Vega

Gary and Judith King

Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Dees

Ronald McDonald and Johnny Bravo

Jessica and Gray Lisenby

Kurt and Michelle Lyn

Mike and Susan Blaney

Laura Thompson

Nicole Mott, Michelle Marandi


From Your Site Articles
Parties
books

Herself with a Moving Backstory, Leah Lax Compiles Those of Houston Immigrants in a New, Must-Read Book

Leah Lax

A PANICKED MOTHER traveling by foot from El Salvador to reach the U.S.-Mexico border rubs crushed garlic cloves on her skin to ward off the cottonmouth snakes crawling over her legs. A group of half-starved teenage Vietnamese refugees on a boat they hoped would ferry them to safety huddle together as pirates board and steal all their possessions. At a UN Refugee Office, a father of six and a member of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (a minority ethnic group based in southern Nigeria) whose leadership had been executed by a corrupt Nigerian government, is granted emergency refugee status. The interviewer reaches into her pocket and hands him money to smuggle his family out of Nigeria.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment
events

Hop to It! Here’s Where to Relish Your Epic Easter Feast

Lobster Bene at PostScript

THERE’S STILL TIME to reserve for Sunday, March 31. Whether brunching with kids in tow or you’re in it for the mimosas — or craving prime rib, smoked salmon and seasonal strawberry desserts served on a silver platter — H-Town has the Easter treat for every bunny.

Keep Reading Show less
Food