A Night of Firsts for Houston Children’s Charity—“If You’re Gonna Play in Texas”—A Groundbreaking Hometown Gala

A Night of Firsts for Houston Children’s Charity—“If You’re Gonna Play in Texas”—A Groundbreaking Hometown Gala

Another year, another record-setting, mind-blowing, stratospheric gala for Houston Children’s Charity. As she has done throughout the years, President and CEO Laura S. Ward pulled off another miraculous night of fundraising to benefit Houston’s underserved, abused and disabled children. Exceeding last year’s total of $6.2 million, the organization sent out the signals, and a ballroom of 820 guests, filled with love, answered the call—raising $9.4 million! Honored for their philanthropic leadership were Frances Moody Buzbee and Tony Buzbee.

Reverend Mary Gracely started the festivities with an inspiring and heartfelt invocation. This was followed by a special video message from Chairman of the Board Tilman Fertitta, who sent his greetings from Rome. Greetings were then given by HCC Vice Chairman of the Board, Gary Becker, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Laura S. Ward.

Title sponsors Porsche River Oaks and Porsche West Houston showcased their 2025 Porsche 718 Boxster S (the last of its kind produced), a Swiss-made 718 Boxster RS Chronograph, and a customizable, instructor-led driving adventure at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta to complete the prized live auction item. This unprecedented gift mirrored the 17 years of partnership under Maria Moncada Alaoui, Vice President of Porsche for Sonic Automotive, with Houston Children’s Charity.  After an exhilarating round of bids, the exclusive package was won by Oscar Callejo.

This was certainly an evening of “firsts!” In addition to a record-setting monetary raise, 98 wheelchair-accessible vans were donated—30 of them from Jana and Richard Fant—to support the mobility of Houston’s disabled children. In the live auction, the team of Laura Ward and Johnny “Bravo” Holloway took it to the stratosphere, as the Buzbees paid a staggering sum of $1.2 million for a lavish auction package titled “When in Rome,” donated by The Tilman Fertitta Family. Sippi and Ajay Khurana had the high bid that won them the exciting Road Trip with the Houston Rockets. Other high bidders included Javier Marcos, Youval Meicler, Cristina Marchesano, M.D., Randy Hopper, Chuck and Vanessa Ames, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Matthew Mendez, Gary Petersen and Mo Aziz.

Not to be outdone, the silent auction featured a bevy of one-of-a-kind items, including the last of thirty 12-inch by 12-inch pieces of art, called the H-Town Sculpture, painted by renowned Houston artist Taft McWhorter in partnership with Jose Estrada and Boyer. The thirty-foot-tall massive H-Town Sculpture will find a high-visibility resting place soon, somewhere in our great city.

As it has been for the past 27 years, this gala is revered for its presentation of high-powered entertainment. This year continued that long-standing tradition of “star power.” Grammy-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame inductees ALABAMA lit up the stage for a rousing 90-minute set of their most famous hits and capped off the night in true Texas style. It was definitely an “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” Hometown Night!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Katie and Patrick Fertitta, Dana and Blake Fertitta, Marianna Brasel, GM of Porsche River Oaks, Rob Dale, GM of Porsche West Houston, Bess and Rob Wilson, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, DeeDee and Tommy Fibich, Grant Guthrie, Jack and Kristin Fusco, Sue Smith, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Robin and Danny Klaes, David Wuthrich, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Chris Kase, Jim Eberle, ABC 13 News Anchor Gina Gaston, Dr. Tom and Carol Sawyer, Paul and Kristina Sommerville, KHOU Great Day Houston Host Deborah Duncan, Honorable Bill King and Cheryl Boblitt King, Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen, Lake Charles, Division A, City Court Judge, Honorable Jamie Bice, British Consulate General Keith Scott