Small Steps, Big Gains! Nonprofit Raises a Glass — and a Record-Breaking $850K for At-Risk Preschoolers

Jacob Power
Small Steps, Big Gains! Nonprofit Raises a Glass — and a Record-Breaking $850K for At-Risk Preschoolers

IN RECENT YEARS, the importance of a quality education beginning with preschool has been made abundantly clear. One organization in Houston seeks to provide not only education but holistic support for at-risk preschool-age children in the Fifth Ward and Gulton/Sharpstown communities. The Small Steps Nurturing Center raised nearly a million dollars to further its mission at its annual Wine Classic, chaired by Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Carolyn and Garry Tanner.


Around 500 supporters packed the Bayou Club for a five-course meal with vino pairings courtesy of Chris Shepherd. Louis Rodriguez, one of Small Steps’ first college graduates, gave an inspiring speech that prompted a standing ovation, and the evening also honored Townes Pressler, Jr., who has supported Small Steps since 1997.

Many of the guests were already familiar with Small Steps, which offers school, childcare, transportation, meals and other resources for kids ages 2 to 6, and their families. But others were newly moved to donate to the program, contributing to the record-breaking total of $850,000 and furthering the goal of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Carolyn and Garry Tanner, Kathleen and Townes Pressler, Jr., and Kristy and Chris Bradshaw

Travis and Freyja Lauritsen

Ann and Tom Bastian

Annette and Eric Mullins

Louis Rodriguez and Carla Dawson

Catherine and Asheley Kinsey

Alicia and Michael Fertitta

Haresh and Sushma Yalamanchili

Laurie and Reed Morian

Emily and David Sheeren

Jon and Merritt Marinelli

Parties
Meet Brian Boyter, New High-End Residential Broker with an Unique Background

BRIAN BOYTER IS a Houston native with an interesting background in real estate. After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, he recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage. The experience left him uniquely suited to thrive in the sometimes-emotional world of buying or selling a home.

Keep Reading Show less

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 Reading Show less

A new look from the soft landings collection

FROM THE OWNERS of popular Montrose haunts Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart is another jetset-focused business. Owners Thy and Matthew Mitchell launched Foreign Fare in the fall of 2023 with long-haul travelers in mind. The pieces are wrinkle-free and designed to be functional as well as stylish. The line was recently featured in Travel & Leisure as a “first class look.”

Keep Reading Show less