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Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K

Daniel Ortiz
Nature and Nurture: Nonprofit Toasts 40 Years of Planting and Protecting Trees in Houston, Raises $520K

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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Spa-tacular Getaway Opportunity: Retreat to Mexico this Summer with a Houston Wellness Expert

Spa-tacular Getaway Opportunity: Retreat to Mexico this Summer with a Houston Wellness Expert

Palmaïa The House of AïA

THIS SUMMER, LEBRINA Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, is taking her wisdom and joie de wellness to the jungle. Far beyond the walls of her beautiful spa, she’s aiming to create a quiet space for people to work on their personal growth in a community-centric atmosphere. She shares what participants will get out of the trip and why it’s important to take time for self-care in 2025.

Why is it important for people to “retreat”? Life can feel like a non-stop marathon, and sometimes we forget to just... breathe. Retreating offers a chance to step off the treadmill for a bit and hit the reset button. It's about giving your body and mind some much-needed TLC, allowing for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation. Beyond the personal perks, retreats often create a cool sense of community, connecting you with others on a similar path. By carving out space for self-reflection, you can recharge and return to your daily life with a clearer head and a bit more pep in your step.

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Dream Come True! Beautiful Ball Raises Nearly $2M for Make-A-Wish

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power

Alejandra and Edgar Rincon. Patty and Karl Schmidt

ONE OF THE most feel-good fetes of the year, the 2025 Make-A-Wish Gala once again broke records, raising a whopping $1.8 million for the Gulf Coast and Louisiana chapter of the organization.

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Mentorship Org Championed by DeBakey Celebrates 30 Years of Science and Scholars

SUPPORTERS OF THE Houston organization BRASS (Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists) celebrated the group’s 30th anniversary at a beautiful River Oaks home. BRASS president Elsie Eckert and a former BRASS scholar Sharon Bright were among those who welcomed everyone to the event.

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