Event Date: November 4, 2022
Location: The Post Oak at Uptown
Event: Luncheon
No. of Attendees: 350
Money Raised: $400,000
Beneficiary: The Mission of Yahweh
Honorary Chairs: Lilly Andress, Cora Sue Mach and Regina Rogers
Chairpersons: The Honorable Susan S. Soussan and the Honorable Elizabeth “Peach” Ray
Honorees: Pam and Ron Sterlekar, Sidney Faust, Reverend Mary Gracely; 2022 Women of Substance: Cheryl Byington, Shauna Clark, Wendy Dawson, Michelle “CC” Ensell, Gayla Gardner, Jennifer Hohman, Carol Linn, Dee Dee Marsh, Dr. Laura Murillo, Barbara Van Postman and Connie Kwan-Wong
Sponsors: Corporate Chair-Michael Sinclair; Premier Sponsor-Benny Agosto
Event Production: PDV Special Events
Florals: Flowers by Nino
Décor and Linens: PDV Special Events
Emcee: Deborah Duncan and Ernie Manouse
Auctioneer: Honorable Bill King
Photography: Priscilla Dickson
Story by: Warner Roberts
A Nod to the Champion Astros, to Champions of Homeless Women and to Champions Who Are Women of Substance
With the ballroom filled with orange roses, as a nod to the Houston Astros, the Women of Substance Luncheon benefiting The Mission of Yahweh was decidedly a home run. A packed Post Oak at Uptown ballroom of beautifully attired ladies and gentlemen delighted in hearing Executive Director of The Mission Richard Hill, announce that the new dorm building fund is going well with a $500,000 matching grant from Larry Martin and $100,000 donations from Brigitte and Bashar Kalai and Janelle and Greg Reid. Construction on the new dorm is scheduled to begin next year and will add to the current 12-building campus providing housing for 50 additional homeless women and children.
The Chairs, past judges, the Honorable Susan S. Soussan and the Honorable Elizabeth “Peach” Ray, enthusiastically recognized the Honorary Chairs, Lilly Andress, Cora Sue Mach, Regina Rogers, and the Corporate Chair, Michael Sinclair. They invited Premier Sponsor for the luncheon, Benny Agosto, and his wife, Nichole to the stage where Benny gave a rousing, heartfelt thank you to those in the audience who share their good fortune with others.
Paul-David Van Atta, creator and producer of the event, spoke with special guest, America’s Got Talent finalist, Christina Rae about her experiences of being homeless and living in a car while pregnant with her son. Her first song, “Hero” stirred the rapt audience, but when she sang her golden buzzer hit “Gimme Shelter,” tears began to flow and the roof began to blow.
Auctioneer Bill King was successful in selling the full-length mahogany mink coat from Sakowitz Furs and The Social Book, and a 4.5-carat diamond tennis bracelet from I W Marks to add major dollars to the bottom line of the day, which is $400,000 and counting.
The emcees, television greats Deborah Duncan and Ernie Manouse, introduced the honorees: Mission of Yahweh Legacy Award recipient Pam and Ron Sterlekar, Lifetime of Substance Award recipient Sidney Faust and Spirit of Substance Award recipient Reverend Mary Gracely, and the 2022 Women of Substance honorees: Cheryl Byington, Shauna Clark, Wendy Dawson, Michelle “CC” Ensell, Gayla Gardner, Jennifer Hohman, Carol Linn, Dee Dee Marsh, Dr. Laura Murillo, Barbara Van Postman and Connie Kwan-Wong.
Socially present (not previously mentioned): Brad Marks, Joanna Marks, Phyllis Williams, Kathy Hill, Janelle Reid, Beth Wolff, Angie Roberts, Vicki Rizzo, Cassandra Wagner, Marilu Garza, Charity Yarborough, Bobbie Weinstein, Samantha Kennedy, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Nancy Dinerstein, Andy Delery, Dionne Breen, Carol Sawyer, Duke Ensell, Wallis Marsh, Betty Hrncir, Susan Boggio, Andrew Gardener, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tammie Jeffers, Consetta Jones, Barbra Moore, Darlene Jones, Joyce Frassinito, Grace Givens, Mady Kades, Chris Kase, Betty Tutor, Astrid Van Dyke, Leticia Wilbanks, Anthony Zagheib, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Tony Gracely, Jill Gracely, AJ Gracely, Adam Gracely, Mark Brockman, Kirk Kveton, Daniel Irion, Gina Saour, Jerre Williams, Kelly Anzilotti, and Bill Meek
