Fall 2007 - Houston Children`s Charity

10th Annual Gala
Christmas Party
Easter Party
pages 5-7
page 10
page 11
Kid Stuff
Spring 2007
A Look Back At A Decade of Caring
Laura Ward
Executive Director
Dear Friends of Houston Children’s Charity,
On this, Houston Children’s Charity’s 10th anniversary,
I would personally like to pay a well-deserved tribute
to each of you, our supporters and friends, who have
made the choice to support us over the last decade. Your
continued dedication to Houston Children’s Charity is
evidence of your commitment to helping children; the
real beneficiaries of your generosity.
Over the last 10 years we have been proud to donate
62 vans and two trucks to Houston agencies, entertain
over 3,500 children at our Easter party, host over 6,000
children at our Hyatt Christmas party, and provide for
25,000 children during the Christmas season. Additionally, we have assisted numerous individual families
who would otherwise have had nowhere to turn.
HCC has helped children recover from and cope with
debilitating disease and injury over the past decade by
providing life-enhancing support ranging from surgeries to prostheses and from wheelchairs to specially
equipped vans. We have also been proud to assist the
many families who have made Houston their home in
the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Countless children with special needs are left without
a source of support or refuge on a daily basis. The
abandonment and abuse of these children are not acts
of God, they are failures of love. We must dedicate
ourselves to providing every child with the opportunity
to grow up healthy, safe, and well educated.
Your contributions, and those of other individuals who
believe in our mission, have helped many deserving
children reach their full potential. Our programs and
services for children have flourished through your
combined efforts; our individual contributors, dedicated
volunteers, and a concerned corporate community.
As we each invest our resources to help make Houston
a more productive and supportive environment in which
to live, we are nurturing America’s future, our children.
Your continued support of Houston Children’s Charity
will substantially increase opportunities for children
and our ability to provide for them. “Our Kids are
Everybody’s Kids.”
The past decade has been a journey full of service, love,
and joy. Your continued support is an indication that
you are along for the ride toward a brighter future for
Houston’s children, and I thank you.
Warm Regards,
In this issue...
And the award goes to ... pages 2-3
A Star-Studded Affair ... page 9
Underwriter Party ... page 4
‘Tis The Season ... page 10
A Night To Remember ... pages 5-7
Happy Easter ... page 11
One Enchanted Evening ... page 8
1
And the award goes to...
Houston Children’s Charity celebrated its 10th
anniversary on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at the Hyatt
Regency Houston. An awards luncheon was held in
honor of all those who have made it possible over the last
decade for HCC to improve the quality of life for Greater
Houston’s underprivileged, abused and disabled children
who have been otherwise left behind.
The reception in the Imperial Ballroom included
Mistress of Ceremonies Warner Roberts, a message from
keynote speaker Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell and a presentation by Mayor Bill White issuing a special proclamation, declaring it “Houston Children’s Charity Day.” The
afternoon also included a donation of specially modified
vans to two “Gridiron Heroes”; young men who have sustained life altering spinal cord injuries during the course
of playing football.
The 10th Anniversary Awards Luncheon was truly
a touching event as we celebrated those who have
benefited from our assistance and, in particular, those who
have made that assistance possible over the last decade.
(Photography by Pete Baatz)
Charles Joekel, The Honorable Mayor Bill White & Gary Becker
Judy Nichols
Pam Wright
Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
Laura Ward & Vikki Vines
Marcus Woods
Gridiron Heroes
Warner Roberts & Joey Boesch
Bobbie & John Nau, III
Tena & Tyson Faust
Jesse & Cathy Marion, Laura Ward
Anna Williams
Darla Lexington & John O’Quinn
Gary Becker, Laura & Dave Ward
Patricia & Pat Harrison
Maggie & Don Henderson, Laura Ward
Melanie Lawson & John Guess
2
Distinguished Awards
Becker Family Emergency Fund Award - Shirley and Allen Becker
Shining Star - Dave Ward - KTRK - TV Channel 13 News Anchor
Golden Gavel - Vikki Vines - Gallery Auctions
Media Champion - Shelby Hodge - Houston Chronicle
Society Columnist
Guardian Angel - David Devaney
HCC’s New Best Friend - Glenn Wakefield
HCC’s Largest Individual Gift - Gerri Greer
Heart Award - Cathy and Jesse Marion
Lifetime of Giving - Darla Lexington and John O’Quinn
Spirit of Service - Patricia and Pat Harrison
Warehouse Associates
Corporate Commitment - Bobbie and John Nau, III
Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.
Heart of Houston - Warner Roberts
Excellence in Volunteerism
Janice and Kem Buice
Vicki Matthews-Clark
Joann and Bill Crassas
Madeleine and Mark Crawford
Deborah Duncan
Frost Bank - The A Team
Gwen Joekel
Steve Lemm
Carol and Tom Sawyer
Patricia and Larry Sinclair
Anna Williams
Pam Wright
Marti Shlenker (posthumously)
Helping Hands
Phillip Diamond - Owner of Lily and...
Darryl Murchison - Owner of Darryl Murchison Designs
Bob Gonzales - President of RAG Printing
Ed Pritchard - V.P. Fleet Management,
Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.
Richard Flowers - C.O.O., The Events Company
Kirksey Gregg - Director of Special Events,
The Events Company
Michael Gilg - V.P. Production/Executive Producer, XL Films
Joey Boesch - Composer, Pianist and Vocalist Extraordinaire
John O’Rourke - Owner, Charlie O’Rourke’s
Ron Bailey - Owner/President Data Stream Technologies
Judy Nichols - Judy Nichols and Associates
HCC’s Scholarship Award
Recipients
Each Student Received a
$12,000 College Scholarship
Desirae Mock - 10th Grade
Chloe Lewis - 10th Grade
Sanjuanita Mottu - 11th Grade
Jaime Alvizar - 11th Grade
(as pictured, left to right)
Special Thanks to Our Volunteers Who Have
Supported Houston Children’s Charity Over
the Last Ten Years
Jeff Abt
Dane Addison
Leann Anderson
Suzanne and Jim
Anderson
Michael Arnett
Joel Ashby
Kristie Austin
Laura Austin
Kathy Bailey
Will Bailey
Jared Bane
Melissa Barton
Stephanie Bazille
Shirley and Allen
Becker
Susan and Gary Becker
Jill Bell
Karrie Bellard
Ryan Bennett
Harsh Bhasin
Malcolm Brown
Janice and Kem Buice
Buffalo Glass
Emily Cano
Daren Cantu
Luis Carabali
Austin Carnes
Sarah Chism
Neva Clark
Vicki Matthews-Clark
Zach Cohen
Megan Conner
Joann and Bill Crassas
Madeleine and Mark
Crawford
Caroline Cubberley
David Devaney
Phillip Diamond
Brandon Drenon
Deborah Duncan
Katherine El Guermai
Rob Elliott
Ryan Ellis
Steven Fernandez
Allison Flanagan
Richard Flowers
Michael Foley
Steve Foley
Gina Foroi
Frost Bank - The A Team
Judge Annette Galik
Joey Garcia
Gregory Giles
Bob Gonzales
Carolyn Goodwin
Ashley Green
Gerri Greer
Kirksey Gregg
Christina and Jerry Gronauer
Jackie Haney
Johnni Hartman
Deborah Guthrie
Grant Guthrie
Kelly Guthrie
Patricia and Pat Harrison
Josh Hawkins
Alan Hayes
Shelby Hodge
Liza Ibarra
Austin Jackson
Judy Jackson
Travis Jackson
Ronnie Jackson
LaChankda Jenkins
Ashley Jeter
Gwen Joekel
Becky Johnston
Kai Spa
Rowan Keele
Natalie Kenreck
Kim Keyes
Matt Krob
Nick Salinas
Kristy and Greg Kroencke
Carol and Tom Sawyer
Steve Lemm
Lindsey Serres
Darla Lexington and John
Rose Shelton
O’Quinn
Patricia and Larry Sinclair
Lori Madsen
Summer Steele
Cathy and Jesse Marion
Chuck Stephenson
Kathi Marsh
Todd Stern
Michelle and Robert
Ryan Still
Marsh
Jacqueline Stone
Roy Marsh
Philip Swanson
Jeff Matthews
Nick Tammaro
Kay McCallum
Janis Terry
Robert Medoza
Jessica Terry
Belinda Mendoza
Kate Terry
Kathleen Milazzo
Ben Theriot
Jennifer Miller
Jennifer Theriot
Christina Mitchell
Vivian Thibeaux
Angela Montalvo
Tabitha Tillman
Ryan Morgan
Mary Ellen Townsend
Madalyn Morse
Garret Van Dyke
Tikisha Mosley
Desiree Velasquez
Darryl Murchison
Becky Vidal
Chelsea Muyskens
Brandon Villafano
Bobbie and John Nau, III
Vikki Vines
Michelle Neaves
Brandi and Glenn
Cheryl Noppe
Wakefield
Richard Patton
Carrie Wall
Stefanie Plotkin
J.N. Wall
Nataly Pogrebinsky
Taylor Wall
Ed Pritchard
Dave Ward
Casey Proctor
David Weston
Roger Randall
Molly Whalberg
Vanessa Riascos
Delores Whiting
Brian Rincon
Anna Williams
Warner Roberts
Brittany Wilson
Ray Rogers
Elena Witt
Kourtney Roopwah
Pam Wright
Corey Rowe
Marti and Kevin Young
Brooke Roy
Sherri Zucker
Jenna Sabatini
Chariots for Children Van Program
Since its inception, HCC has
awarded 62 vans and 2 trucks
at a total cost of $1,763,444.
1997
A Child is Born Family Outreach
(2 Vans)
1998
Children’s Assessment Center
Houston PAL
Casa de Esperanza
1999
Zina Garrison’s All Court Tennis
Foundation (2 Vans)
Children’s Assessment Center
Odyssey House Texas, Inc.
(2 Vans)
HOPE Shelter, Inc.
2000
Jaycee’s Children’s Center
Houston PAL
St. Joseph’s Inn
Covenant House Texas
2001
The Children’s Center, Inc.
Willie C. McDuffie
Treatment Center
Families Under Urban
and Social Attack
3
2001 cont.
Houston Area Women’s Center
Wesley Community Center
Conroe ISD/PAL
KIPP Academy
La Rosa
Texas Adaptive Aquatics
Easter Seals
2002
Center for Success &
Independence
The Seaborne Challenge Corps
S.E.A.R.C.H.
Greg and Pola Hampton
Pro-Vision, Inc.
The Nehemiah Center
2003
Covenant House Texas
Hope Shelter, Inc.
Phoenix Outreach Youth Center
Texas Adaptive Aquatics
Hope for Youth
New Hope Youth Center
Ronald McDonald House
Trinity Foster Care Houston
2004
Solutions 2 Changing Lives
Refuge Community Development
Center
Conroe ISD/PAL
Jaycee’s Children’s Center
2005
Anointed Child Care, Inc.
Timothy Project
Treasure Our Community
City Wide Club
Covenant House Texas
Boys & Girls Country
2006
The Furniture Bank
Families Under Urban
and Social Attack
The Center for Success &
Independence
S.E.A.R.C.H.
Gridiron Heroes
(2 Vans: LaJuan Moore &
Zigwon Carter)
Pleasant Hill Academy
Casa de Esperanza
Prevent Blindness Texas
The House of Charity
Sandy & Randall Stilley
Laura Ward,
Gil & Marianne Bruvel
Laura Marchand
& Laurette Veres
Underwriter
Party
Stephen Joest, Tracy Hendrix,
Greg Rosenberg, Kaylin Harr
Paul B.Loyd,Jr., Laura Ward, Penny Loyd
On the eve of the largest event in Hous-
ton Children’s Charity’s history, the event underwriters gathered at the home of hosts Penny
and Paul B. Loyd, Jr. for an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and accolades.
Gala
Chairpersons,
Marilyn
and
George DeMontrond III, gladly accepted the
honor of presenting crystal vases to the event
underwriters including Becker Family FounEdna Meyer-Nelson, Jackie Brown,
Suzanne Klein, Jerome Blockman
George DeMontrond, Dorothy Nicholson,
Marilyn DeMontrond
dation, Charles L. Joekel, Edna MeyerNelson, Hyatt Regency Houston, Michelle
and Robert Marsh Family Funding, L.P.,
Pacesetter Personnel, Paige and Tilman J.
Fertitta/Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., Sterling
Bank, The Lester & Sue Smith Foundation
and Williams Bailey LLP.
Michael Gilg, Lester & Sue Smith,
Grant Guthrie
Lou Gregory & Linda Lorelle,
Vicki & Don Clark
The DeMontronds also presented awards
to the Benefactors and Sponsors, receiving a
Nambe crystal bowl and a Nambe miniature
bowl set, respectively. The Benefactors included Bud Light/Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.,
Budweiser/Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Penny and
Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Dorothy T. Nicholson and
Jeanette and Jim Woods. Sponsors included
Berg and Androphy, DeMontrond Automotive Group, Greater Houston Orthopedic
George DeMontrond, Penny & Paul B.
Loyd, Jr., Marilyn DeMontrond
Joey & Valerie Boesch
Specialists/Dr. Henry J. Blum, Dr. Eric F.
Berkman and Dr. Charles Metzger, Hercules
Offshore, Inc., Jenny and David Moore, Magenheim & Associates, Nopal Resources, The
John M. O’Quinn Foundation, The Marion
Foundation, The Tony Gracely Family and
Windsor Village United Methodist Church.
Executive Director Laura Ward recog-
nized the many giving people that help make
the Gala a success each year in addition to giving a preview of one of the spectacular auction
Robert & Debbie Ogle
Marti & Kevin Young
Tom Davis,
Carol & Dr. Tom Sawyer
items for the following evening; a handmade
32-piece chess set created by the visionary artist Gil Bruvel. (Photography by Pete Baatz)
4
Gala 1
A Night to
Remember
Houston Children’s Charity
10th Annual Gala
Celebrating a Decade of Caring, Houston Children’s Charity’s
HCC Board President Gary Becker introduced TCH President
10th Annual Gala literally rocked with great - you guessed it - rock n’ Mark Wallace and Dr. David Poplack who acknowledged the tremenroll, a sell-out crowd, and the largest fundraising event in the charity’s
dous giving spirit of the mystery couple who made this gift. Ward said it
history.
best....”we can assume that this couple are simply committed to supporting
More than 600 guests crowded the Hyatt Regency Houston for the wonderful work of Houston Children’s Charity and Texas Children’s
the over-the-top gala chaired by Marilyn and George A. DeMontrond, Hospital - and are willing to do so without any recognition, accolades or
III and honoring Sue and Lester Smith.
fanfare.”
Never one to disappoint, HCC filled the Imperial Ballroom with
In true HCC fashion, the live auction
ice carvings displaying the char-
was over the top, netting $400,000 for the
ity’s 10th anniversary logo atop
evening. High bidders included Robert
custom designed square remote
Marsh, Allen Kent and Wayne Turner
controlled light tables changing
who paid $70,000 for a celebrity party at
colors throughout the evening, a
the home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta
visual masterpiece of laser lights
and John Speer who paid $40,000 for
and four immense screens on
a private tour of Althorp in London, the
which to view the events of the
home of the late Princess Diana, guided
by The Right Honorable Earl
night.
In an exceptional moment of gen-
Spencer. The crowd then boogied
erosity, a $1,000,000 pledge in honor of
until the wee hours to the hit music
HCC’s Executive Director Laura Ward
of Huey Lewis and the News.
was made by the Board of Directors of HCC
to Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center
Shirley and Allen Becker, Brian
to establish the Houston Children’s Charity
and Stacy Becker, Sharon Bush,
Emergency Family Fund. But in the spirit of
Suzette and Pastor Kirbyjon
In the crowd were
“breaking news,” Master of Ceremonies Dave Ward also announced to Caldwell, Kara and Ray Childress, Judy and Larry Dierker, Elizathe wildly applauding crowd, that an anonymous matching gift had been beth and George Farish, Mary and Tony Gracely, Tissy & Rusty Harmade in the amount of $1,050,000 putting the charity’s net proceeds at
din, Erica Hunter and Jeremy Leediker, Sunni and Gary Markowitz,
over $2,150,000. The anonymous grant is to be used exclusively to sup-
John Speer and Donna Briggs and Sheridan and John Eddie Williams.
port Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center at the direction of Dr. David
(Photography by Pete Baatz and Leslie Suggs)
Poplack.
5
Maggie & Don Henderson, Elly Berman
Tissy & Rusty Hardin
Sheridan & John Eddie Williams
Dr. Hank & Jackie Blum
Pastor Kirbyjon & Suzette Caldwell
Melissa, George & Marilyn DeMontrond
Gabriella & Daniel Dror
Tony & Mary Gracely
Lester & Sue Smith
Doug Drabek & Laura Ward
Marti & Kevin Young
Maryann & Jodie Hoffer
Tyson & Tena Faust
Ken & Gwen Joekel
Chief David Baker
& Charles Joekel
Tom Koch, Melanie Lawson, John Guess
Kara & Ray Childress,
Stacy & Brian Becker
Alan & Julie Kent, Huey Lewis,
Michelle & Robert Marsh
Budweiser Live Auction Items
Jeremy Leediker & Erica Hunter,
Sue & Lester Smith
Jason Kohll, Marcus Jolibois, Shane Battier,
Tad Brown, Rafael Stone, John Lucas III,
Rockets Power Dancers
6
Marianne & Gil Bruvel
Sharon Wilner, Carol Sawyer, Kim Padgett
Larry Dierker & Commander Scott Kelly
Mark Wallace
President of Texas Children’s Hospital
Judge Eric Andel,
Phyllis & Graham Painter
Our generous supporters from Borden
Alan & Julie Kent, Wayne Turner,
Robert & Michelle Marsh
Frank & Kimberly DeLape
Henry & Doe Florsheim
Allen & Shirley Becker
Missa Sutton & Carolyn Faulk
Donna & Arnold Gilberg
Edna Meyer-Nelson
& Suzanne Klein
Heather & David Huntington
Donna Briggs & John Speer
Christie, Penny & Paul B. Loyd, Jr.
Judy & Larry Dierker,
Laura Ward
Susan & Gary Becker,
Marianne & Gil Bruvel
Jan Carson, Virginia Reisman,
Maryann Hoffer
7
Cathy & Jesse Marion
Jeff & Ericka Bagwell
Don & Maggie Henderson
Jeanette & Bob Gonzales
Mike & Janell Rogers
Robert & Michelle Marsh,
Sam Arlen
Don & Vicki Clark
Gary & Susan Becker
Janice & Tad Brown
Kaylin Harr, Charles Joekel,
Carolyn Faulk
Laura & John Johnson
Jenny & David Moore
Laura Ward, Gaynell & Clyde
Drexler, Ericka & Jeff Bagwell
Nancy & Jack Dinerstein
Ken & Gwen Joekel
One Enchanted Evening
Thanks to Chairpersons Laura and John Johnson – Sil-
traordinary trip to the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis, courtesy of
ver Eagle Distributors, L.P. the Spring Soiree generated a net of
Budweiser and August Busch IV. Guests included Sue and Les-
$110,000. Guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Vic & Anthony’s
ter Smith, Charles Joekel, Susan and Gary Becker, Janice and
Steakhouse and the presentation of Montecristo Cigars, courtesy of
Tad Brown, Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Ericka and Jeff Bagwell,
Howard Covens of Stogies Fine Cigars. A photo-op with an An-
Gaynell and Clyde Drexler, Marti and Kevin Young, Howard Co-
heuser-Busch Clydesdale was a featured delight. The live and silent
vens, Greg Germenis, Penny and Paul B. Loyd, Jr., and Carolyn
auction highlighted priceless sports memorabilia and included an ex-
Faulk. (Photography by Pete Baatz and Gary Fountain)
Charles Joekel, Pat Tammaro,
Grant Guthrie
Jan Carson
& Maryann Hoffer
Adele Minzer, Melissa & Dr.
Charles Brunicardi, Sherri Zucker
Linda Lorelle
& Lou Gregory
Paul B. & Penny Loyd, Jr.,
Dave Ward
Kathy & Don Kobos
8
John Leake & Judy Nichols
Laura & John Johnson,
Laura Ward
Marti & Kevin Young
A Star-Studded Affair
Celebrity Dinner
The warm spring air was buzzing with the scent of fame dur-
Tilman presented each of the celebrities with a gift from the charity
ing the backyard celebrity party at the home of Paige and Tilman and provided personal comments about each of them. Many of the
Fertitta last April. With about 100 guests in attendance, it was truly
personalities assured us that they would enjoy joining us for a repeat
a night of familiar faces and celebrity appearances.
performance in 2007. Mario Andretti, a long-time friend of Houston Children’s The guest list also included Michelle and Robert Marsh,
Charity, made a “pit stop” in Houston just for this special evening.
Julie and Alan Kent, Patsy and Wayne Turner, Jenny and Da-
Along with Andretti, celebrity guests at the party included No-
vid Moore, Grant Guthrie, Heather and David Huntington,
lan Ryan, Doug Drabek, Larry Dierker, Ray Childress, Elvin Charles Joekel, and Vicki and Don Clark. (Photography by Gary
Fountain)
Bethea, and Elvin Hayes. The highlight of the evening came when
Larry Dierker, Nolan Ryan, Elvin Bethea, Alan
& Julie Kent, Ray Childress, Mario Andretti,
Elvin Hayes, Doug Drabek
Nolan Ryan, Larry Dierker, Elvin Bethea,
Wayne & Patsy Turner, Ray Childress, Mario
Andretti, Elvin Hayes, Doug Drabek
Larry Dierker, Nolan Ryan, Elvin Bethea,
Robert & Michelle Marsh, Ray Childress,
Mario Andretti, Elvin Hayes, Doug Drabek
Dave Ward, Patty Reed,
Mario Andretti, Laura Ward
Wayne Turner & Elvin Bethea
Heather & David Huntington
Mario Andretti, Julie & Alan Kent
Don & Vicki Clark, Elvin Hayes,
Pat & Elvin Bethea
Laura Ward, Nolan & Ruth Ryan,
Dave Ward, Ilene Allen
Mario Andretti & Tilman Fertitta
9
‘Tis the Season
At a time of year when so many Houston familes go without, Houston
Children’s Charity truly made it a season of giving with the Annual Children’s
Christmas Party, Adopt-A-Family program, Toy Distribution and Food Assistance Program.
With smiles on their faces, over 600 children entered the Imperial
Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Houston on Sunday, December 10th to the
sight of thousands of toys, tables covered with goodies and cheerful red t-shirt
clad volunteers ready for the annual Christmas Party. The children, who came
from 17 Houston area organizations and individual families, enjoyed a pizza/pasta buffet, “make
your own” ice cream sundae bar, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the James Coney Island Coney Man, Borden’s Elsie the Cow, Clowns from
Cheerful Clown Alley and Kim See, the Living
Christmas Tree. The day could not have gone
smoothly without the help of the generous donations from the Houston Rockets, Kem Buice
of Borden, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Pepsi,
Warehouse Associates, Kroger and Third Coast
Comedy or without the assistance from the dedicated volunteers that included party Chairwoman Vicki
Clark, Kathy and Will Bailey, Gary Becker, Don
Clark, David Devaney, Frost Bank A-Team, Patricia Harrison, the Hyatt Regency Houston, Gwen
Joekel, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dr. Lois Moore, our
friends at Pearland High School, Deborah Schulze
and group, the Westfield High School Baseball Team, Caitlin Young and
Kevin Young.
HCC’s Adopt-a-Family program was a huge success and, thanks to the
generosity of our sponsors, we were able to help 33 Houston families with 88
children. Athena was in need of food and furniture when she contacted HCC.
She had two pieces of chicken to split between herself and her three girls, ages
6, 9 and 11. HCC and The Furniture Bank provided beds, couches, a dining
set, lamp and coffee table as well as kitchen supplies and linens. HCC also
provided toys and clothing for the girls, a basket of toiletries for Athena, and
two $100 Wal-Mart cards for food and supplies. Our many sponsors included
A & C Plastics, Inc., Susie Atkins, the Beasley family, Kathy & Mark
Crosby, Frank DiMaria, ExxonMobil, Elizabeth & George Farish, Jr.,
the Gracely family, Industrial TX Corporation, JobIT, Melanie Johnson,
Brian Kingshill, III, Melanie Lawson & John Guess, Sherman L. Lewis,
John V. Lovoi, Christine Muraski, the Nichols family, Saundra & Raymond Platter, Richland Financial, Melissa & Jamey Rootes, John Gary
Sellers, Jennifer Skrabanak, Hailey & Mark Stevens, David M. Underwood, Kelly & Zach Wright, Kevin Young, and Sherri Zucker.
The brisk winter air didn’t stop volunteers from “shopping” with
parents and guardians from 149 Houston
families for toys at HCC’s annual Toy Distribution on December 19 at Silver Eagle
Distributors, L.P. For several weeks leading
up to the Christmas Season, HCC toy boxes
were filled to the brim by caring employees
and customers alike throughout the city. For
many of our families, the toys they selected
that day would be the only gifts their children
would receive at Christmastime. The efforts
of Gwen Joekel, volunteer and Chairperson for the Toy Distribution,
and additional volunteers Suzanne Anderson, Heidi Birenbaum,
David Devaney of Warehouse Associates, Clara Duran, Carolyn
Faulk, Christie Kroenke, Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P., Leonor
Soto, Al Vallejo and family, and Jodie Zolleman made this day a
special one. Thanks to the donations of time, resources and toys from our
volunteers and the many companies across Houston who supported us, 447
children experienced the joy a Christmas present can bring.
With the assistance of John Johnson and Kevin Young, HCC was able
to begin a new Christmas Food Program, providing over 300 families with
$100 Gift Cards to Fiesta, Food Town, Gerlands, Wal-Mart, and Sellers Brothers. These families were most grateful for the opportunity to provide their
children with a holiday feast. (Photography by Pete Baatz and Leslie Suggs)
Christmas Cheer
First From The Heart
T’was on this tenth December day
In the Houston Hyatt Grand
That volunteers did gather round
For Christmas was at hand
Six hundred sixty children plus
Were soon to here arrive
As H.C.C. had once again
Made spirits come alive
The gifts were all unpacked and spread
The trees each table dressed
The apples and the crayons were placed
The pictures all impressed
By ten the Goody Bags were lined
Six hundred in the hall
Sweet fantasy they did contain
With gifts for one and all
The Hyatt staff each table set
Contagious was their smile
For Leo’s place in Bayou town
Does many hearts beguile
From agencies who share their love
To special families
The work is done throughout the year
So this day comes with ease
With Vicki there upon the mic
The party is explained
Each job outlined is critical
So no one is detained
The “Ho, Ho, Hos” do fill the room
With carols in the air
And when the children do arrive
The love is everywhere
Policemen with their energy
Do bring a special peace
And everywhere the red shirts go
They happiness release
For once again at Christmas time
We gather to explain
That charity first from the heart
Does leave a sweet refrain
David L. Devaney
12-10-2006
10
Happy Easter
All the ingredients were there for Houston Children’s Charity 9th Annual
Easter Party at Northland Christian School last April. Put together a basket full
of sweet goodies, toss in a pinch of beautiful spring weather and add 300 underprivileged youngsters from nine Houston agencies and you had the makings for
an amazing day.
Children, ages 3 to 12 from Nehemiah Center, Urban Outreach Center,
Houston PAL, Bonita House, The House of Charity, St. Michael’s, Boys & Girls
Harbor, Boys & Girls Country, TX Children’s Hospital, DePelchin Children’s
Center, and Treasure Our Community came together for a rare afternoon of Easter
partying.
Fun events scheduled for the day included a petting zoo, pony rides, face
painting (courtesy of Northland Christian School students) and meeting with the
Easter Bunny. Games, prizes, individual Easter baskets, hot dogs and “fixin’s”
donated by James Coney Island, soft drinks courtesy of Pepsi, bottled water and
apples supplied by Kroger with milk and assorted juices donated by Borden’s
rounded out the afternoon.
The constant support of all the volunteers, the employees at Frost Bank,
Deborah Schulze and group, the students of Northland Christian School,
and Steve Lemm, Facilities Manager and Transportation Coordinator at
NCS, made the festive party a day to remember for the children in attendance.
(Photography by Pete Baatz)
11
Houston Children’s Charity Board of Directors
Officers
Directors
Advisory Board
Charles L. Joekel, Chairman of the Board
Edna Meyer-Nelson, President
Gary D. Becker, Immediate Past President
Tilman J. Fertitta, Vice President
Grant W. Guthrie, Vice President/Funding Co-Chair
Robert A. Marsh, Vice President
Donald J. Henderson, Secretary
John B. Johnson, Treasurer
Don K. Clark, Funding Co-Chair
Laura S. Ward, Executive Director
Gregory L. Brown
Thaddeus B. Brown
O.W. Bussey, Jr.
Carolyn Faulk
Paul B. Loyd, Jr.
Dr. Lois J. Moore
Michael F. Rogers
Kevin J. Young
J. Downey Bridgwater
Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
John L. Nau, III
Robert E. Ogle
Dr. David G. Poplack
David H. Ward
2007 Upcoming Events
We are always in need of caring
volunteers for our Children’s events.
Children’s Easter Party
Please contact the HCC Office at
713.524.2878 or email us at
hcc@houstonchildrenscharity.org
with your name, address, phone
number and availability.
11th Annual Gala
Children’s Christmas Party
Toy Distribution
Adopt-A-Family
Food Assistance Program
We appreciate your support!
For further information, visit our website at
www.houstonchildrenscharity.org