Balloons, Champagne and Hearts Filled with Friendship Helped Celebrate 15 Years of Houston Sweethearts at Saks Fifth Avenue
A heartfelt desire to say a simple thank you to those who have made our community a better place set the stage some fifteen years ago for a group of friends to create a fun-filled afternoon of “Valentine’s Day” joy. Lifetime friends Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts, and Alicia Smith once again hosted a group of 100 together at Saks Fifth Avenue and celebrated the honorees’ good works.
Houston’s own Warner Roberts began the afternoon festivities by welcoming the excited crowd and introducing Heidi Turney, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue and one of last year’s Houston Sweethearts honorees. Deborah Duncan, host of KHOU-TV’s “Great Day Houston,” shared the emcee duties and spoke about the event’s beneficiary, The Mission of Yahweh. Deborah introduced the new Director of Development of the Mission, Marilu Garza, and spoke passionately about its pursuits by stating, “The Mission is truly a unique refuge that not only provides food, clothing and shelter for homeless women and children, but is committed to rehabilitating women to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.” The Mission’s major fundraiser of the year, the “Leaders & Legends” Gala, is scheduled for Friday, September 25th at The Post Oak at Uptown.
The new class of Houston Sweethearts was introduced to a whirlwind of constant applause and cheers as each recipient’s history of service was announced, and it was followed by a gift from the Houston Sweethearts Hosts and a proclamation from Houston Council Member Twila Carter. Those receiving well-deserved accolades were: Farida Abjani, Debbie and Roger Clemens, Caroline Esses, Brittany Hebert Franklin, Jordan Seff and Michelle Verbois Wasaff. Former Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens (who attended solo, as his wife Debbie was performing grandmother duties in Florida with their new grandbaby!) brought the crowd to hysterics as he told the audience that over the years, Debbie has accompanied him to many events as the only woman in attendance, so now it was his turn to do the same, as one of the few men in a mostly female gathering!
Love, kindness, and charity were the words and emotions of the day, as this remarkable group of hosts, honorees and supporters made it an afternoon and fifteen years to remember!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Hallie Vanderhider, Brigitte Kalai, Saula Valente, Nini Hale, Tena Faust, Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, Angie Roberts, Cheryl Byington, Laurette Veres, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Heidi Rockecharlie, Cindy Bendy, Gayla Gardner, Chris Kase, Sandra Porter, Sherri Zucker, Sonia Soto, Merele Yarborough, Kathy Herr, Raquel Lewis, Linda Lorelle, Melissa Murphy, Kim Padgett, Angela Poujol, Phyllis Williams, George Crawford, Laura Wald, Melissa Clann, Mary Ellen Verbois, Steve Smith, Jamie Sparacino, Anita Wilson, Cindi Proler, Courtney Adame, Mary Jo Hunt, Jody Martin, Becky Wheeler, Margaret Pinkston, Samantha Stewart, Gaye Mayeux, Teresa Cox Reading, Dana Collins, Ritu Nadkami, Stephanie Nielsen, Dr. Jacquie Baly
