Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

Daniel Ortiz and Dave Rossman
Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

JB and Bridget Brennan, Chelsea Partain and Ryan Haney

MORE THAN 300 charitable Houstonians decided to roll the dice and go all-in for Ronald McDonald House last week — and, it turns out, hit the jackpot on fantastic weather to boot! The open-air Bayou City Events Pavilion was the perfect setting for the cocktail fundraiser, which garnered nearly $700,000 thanks to casino games and an auction.


The evening honored supporters Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook for their contributions to Ronald McDonald House Houston, which provides housing and other amenities for families with children who are long-term and critically ill patients of the Med Center.

Crowd-fave activities included a bourbon pull, Quarter Slots raffle, and a rare-whiskey tasting hosted by hospitality exec Sean Beck.

Cyndy Garza Roberts and Hallie Vanderhider

Damien Taylor , Beverly Welch, and Hannah and Paul Wolfert

Bill LeSage, Ozzie Bauer, Greg Smith and Dave Smith

Madeleine and Larry Hanrahan

Sarah and Aaron Stai

Lee and Seliece Womble

Pooja and Chirag Amin

Chairs Debbie Bauer and Karen Smith

Deanna Barton, Karen Thompson, Maria Bush and Paige Fertitta

Brian and Katie Patterson

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Duos, Trios and Teams: ‘Mutual Respect and Trust’ Key at M Penner

Murry & Karen Penner

HOW DID THIS duo come about? We’re a husband-and-wife team in a family business. We met in 5th grade at Kolter Elementary School and became lifelong friends. For the record, we didn’t start dating until a few years later — and we just celebrated our 40th anniversary!

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A WINE-TASTING rendezvous at the Post Oak Hotel benefited a heartwarming charity — to the tune of $410,000!

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Outside The Kennedy (photo by Tarick Foteh)

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