Guests Turned Tragedy into Purpose as They “Buckled Up for a Derby Race to Save Lives” at Kailee Mills Foundation Gala

Guests Turned Tragedy into Purpose as They “Buckled Up for a Derby Race to Save Lives” at Kailee Mills Foundation Gala

Wide-brimmed hats, elaborate and beautiful fascinators, floral cocktail attire, colorful blazers, Fedoras, and Panama hats set the stage for another successful gala for the Kailee Mills Foundation. Chairs Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt led 400 excited and happy guests in a Buckle Up for a Derby Race to Save Lives, where over $360,000 was raised to support the organization’s mission to prevent traffic fatalities and injuries through seat belt education, awareness campaigns, school programs, and community outreach. In moments of unimaginable grief, miracles of creation happen that save and change lives. Such is the case with 16-year-old Kailee Mills, who was killed in a car crash in 2017 when she was ejected from the vehicle she was riding in after momentarily taking off her seat belt. Her parents quickly took action, creating this foundation in her memory and channeling their grief to save one life at a time.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by horses Bubba and Bruce for photo opportunities before being served refreshing Derby-themed cocktails and bidding on Big Board items, which included a George Rodrigue “Blue Dog” painting, a 1970 Château Lafite Rothschild Cabernet, and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo packages, among others. A “Run for the Roses” Pull offered chances to win wine, bourbon, and gift cards.

Guests entered the ballroom for the festivities and evening program. As the Chairs mentioned above tipped their hats and corralled the Emcees to the starting gate, the bell rang, and a packed, cheering audience knew the “Race to Save Lives” had begun. Out of the gate, Firefox Video showcased their outstanding, yet funny, video montage of notable Houstonians and friends of the foundation, all “buckling up” to save lives, including Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief Noe Diaz.

Emcees Caroline Collins from FOX26 and the ever-dapper Johnny “Bravo” Holloway, who also conducted the live auction, introduced the event’s speakers. Heartwarming speeches were given by Christian Collins, who led the invocation; charity co-founder and father of Kailee, David Mills, who thanked the Chairs, major underwriters including Christine & Steve Johnson, Jody Merritt & Steve Spencer, TER (Truck Equipment Resource), April Roberts (State Farm), Planet Ford, The Michael Scott Family, and Enercorp. KMF Board Chairman and first responder at Kailee’s accident, Dustin Creager, delivered meaningful words about the foundation’s mission.

Returning to the podium, the Chairs announced the honorees. Receiving accolades were April Roberts and Lucretia & Kris Jones. The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Matt O’Neill.

The evening’s Impact Speaker was Sabrina Runyan, who shared a heartfelt and unforgettable story of a crash involving her and her two young daughters. They were hit from behind by a tow truck going at a very high speed. Sabrina and her daughters sustained life-threatening injuries, leading to numerous surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and counseling. The foundation provided them with essential resources. She proudly accepted her unending ovation, with one of her daughters holding her hand on stage, while the other enjoyed the gala from their table.

David Mills returned to the stage, starting with the quip, “Isn’t the Derby in May, and how do we get the jockeys to wear seat belts?” He finished with “… likening life to a race where no one should cross the finish line too soon.” He encouraged guests to slow down and enjoy the journey. Take time to share a holiday tradition with family, relish tucking your children in at night, and seeing their pictures on the first day of school. Essentially, stop and smell the roses, which led David to ask everyone to take a long-stemmed rose from the table centerpieces and raise it in the air in memory of “Kailee’s Angels,” those aged 10 months to 44 who tragically died in car crashes. He noted that, “While their race has ended, ours hasn’t. Tonight, we run for Kailee and for every name you held up.”

Johnny “Bravo” took the microphone and trotted through the audience as he began leading the Appeal and Live Auction segments of the program. Paddles were flying and bidding was nonstop as attendees bid on items such as an Astros Suite for 24, a Louis Vuitton handbag, and an LV-branded Glock, which sold for $19,000; His & Hers Republic Boots; a mountain vacation stay in Durango, Colorado; a stay in an Italian villa in Tuscany; a tour of the White House and Capitol with hotel and golf adventure for four; and much more!

Music, dancing, and final bidding on Big Board items wrapped up the night as guests celebrated the race together, marking an incredible night of fundraising crossing the finish line!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):   Steve Johnson, Steve Spencer, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dr. Jacquie Baly and James Craig, Odilia and Owen Conflenti, Angela Hernandez, Ghada Ali, Saula and Paolo Valente, Hershey Grace, Scott Evans, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, April Roberts, Ken Webster, Jr., Matt and Theresa May, Brandi and Charles Muras, Tanya and Steven Tondre, Tina and Ed Michael, Jess and Travis Dean, Marie and Rico Cano, Deidre and Brian Mannion, Dana and Jeremy Koger, Kristi and Michael Campbell, Dayna and Michael Spencer, Stephanie and Nick Walker, Heather and Dale Shelton, Edith and Adam Fisher