Crystal Wright, Monica McNeill, Rachel McNeill, Courtney Zavala
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CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool
Chaired by philanthropists Lauren and John Brollier and Cassie and John Milam, with honorary chairs Kirby and Scott McCool and Judy and Charles Tate, the magical evening supporting the valuable and impactful work of CIS of Houston begins at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour, then dinner and the program. Rounding out the event is live entertainment by the popular Houston-based band Klockwork. Guests can dance the night away, starting at 9pm.
The always diverse crowd makes for a dynamic event. Party-goers are encouraged to dress in “Wonderland Whimsy Cocktail” attire, with the goal of fun and festive. Cocktail attire is also a great option.
Don Friedell and emcee Lisa Malosky at a previous CIS Gala
Attendees at a previous CIS Gala
A full ballroom at a prior CIS Gala
CIS of Houston's Martha Montoya Sanchez with Northbrook High School seniors
CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant and CIS of Houston Dir. of Development Donna Watkins with CareSource Foundation
Special guest at the 45th Anniversary Gala is Rey Saldaña, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National in Arlington, VA. During the program, guests will view a powerful video about the life-changing work of CIS Houston, in addition to hearing heartwarming testimonials, bringing a personal touch to the evening.
Funds raised from A Night in Wonderland will support the CIS mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Currently serving 163 campuses across Greater Houston, CIS places at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each partner campus to deliver comprehensive direct services including counseling, academic support and health and human services.
The chairs want to thank the event’s top-tier donors to date: Judy and Charles Tate; CenterPoint Energy; Sharon G. Dies; The Marie and James H. Galloway Foundation; Beth and Bob Gower; and Marathon Oil.
Tickets are going fast! They start at $500, and tables for 10 range from $5,000 through $50,000. Underwriting opportunities are still available.
Judy Tate (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Scott and Kirby McCool
Kit Detering, Cassie Milam, Carl Detering (photo by Jenny Antill)
Sharon G. Dies and Lauren Brollier
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David Ansell, Bennie Flores Ansell, Thuy Tran and James Tiebout
About 210 art lovers — including big names like Christopher Rothko and representatives from important organizations and galleries — turned out to support the Rothko Chapel’s innovative programming and community leadership. The evening raised more than $400,000, largely thanks to an exciting auction, chaired by gallerist Robert McClain. It included amazing works by Houston artists, including Mark Francis, Patrick McGrath Muñiz, and Karen Navarro, to name just a few, as well as artists on view in The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, such as Joe Peña and Alex Rubio.
Rothko Chapel board chair Troy Porter provided an opening invocation, citing the chapel’s now 52 years of social change and spiritual transformation. As guests enjoyed a sumptuous main course of buttery Verlasso salmon with fennel heirloom tomato salpicon scented with basil, Beaumont-born artist John Alexander gave a moving speech that vividly recalled his time in Houston in the 1970s (when the Rothko Chapel first opened) and affirmed his belief in the power of art to transform lives and demand a better future. Sí, se puede!
Cheech Marin and Dolores Huerta (photo by Scott Julian)
Whitney and Matt Gordon with Helene Schlumberger and Sharon Graham of McClain Gallery (photo by Scott Julian)
Delita and Cedric Martin
Troy Porter, Sandy Dow, Christopher Rothko (photo by Hung Truong)
Cheech Marin, Dolores Huerta and Vincent Valdez (photo by Hung Truong)
Rafael Longoria, Gayle DeGeurin, Tim and Suzette Walker, Geraldina and Scott Wise (photo by Scott Julian)
Diana Magaloni Kerpel of LACMA and Nacho Rodriguez Bach
Ellen Susman and Mike Loya (photo by Scott Julian)
Patrick McGrath Muniz, John Alexander and Joe Pena (photo by Scott Julian)
Michael Keegan, Cyvia Wolff and Dolores Huerta (photo by Scott Julian)
Lori Cohen and Steven Dow (photo by Hung Truong)
Maire Baldwin, Karen Wolfe, Mari Carmen Ramirez (photo by Scott Julian)
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