Event Date: September 5, 2024
Location: Union Station at Minute Maid Park
Event: Gala
Beneficiary: HelpCureHD
No. in attendance: 340+
Chairpersons: Joe Smith and Allie LaForce
Auctioneer: Johnny “Bravo” Holloway
Event Production: Francisco + Co
Photography: Wilson Parish and Jacob Power
A Baseball Legend and Hundreds Gathered to Support HelpCureHD
Former Astros pitcher and current coach Joe Smith and his wife Allie LaForce, a sports reporter for TNT, founded HelpCureHD, inspired by his mother, Lee Smith, who passed from Huntington’s Disease, just shy of her 62nd birthday. Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited, incurable, and progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down and die. This remarkable foundation they created provides funding to families in financial need, especially with the costly IVF procedure. Joe and Allie’s son Jacob, is HD-free thanks to this life-saving PGT-IVF procedure.
Union Station at Minute Maid Park was the site for this annual gala as 340 guests gathered to show their support for this worthy cause. The evening began with a VIP reception to socialize with Presenting Sponsor Shaftel Diamonds and get a first-hand look at the one-of-a-kind Allie LaForce diamond necklace, the highlighted item for the raffle and peruse the many silent auction items.
Since the gala was held on an evening the Astros had an “away” game, many of the current players’ wives attended and joined baseball legend Reggie Jackson, who also showed his support by starting the financial appeal with a personal donation. Renowned athletic auctioneer Johnny “Bravo” Holloway took over and ran out into the crowd to keep the bid paddles flying with live auction items such as Astros owner Jim Crane’s personal seats to a game, located in the Diamond Club, which includes the opportunity for one guest to throw the first pitch; a playoff game jersey worn by Kyle Tucker and tickets to all of the Astros home playoff games.
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Adrienne and Jared Crane, Kat Pressly, Sue Rogers, Dr. Erin Furr-Stimming and Chris Stimming, Jo Furr, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Dr. Dottie Roach, Danny and Iris Shaftel, Angela Hernandez, Jody Merritt, Dean Putterman, Nick Batasole, Elizabeth and John Elder, Reagan Bregman, Jordan Seff, Vanessa Ames, Ileana and Michael Treviño, Brooke and Dr. Kevin Lee, Taylor Kessler and Maxx Chewing, Tory Graveman, Sam Tucker
