What is Red, Pink and Hearts All Over? The “Houston Sweethearts Tea” at Saks Fifth Avenue by Warner Roberts
Some days, you just know. Love is in the air! You could feel that at Saks Fifth Avenue for the 14th Annual Houston Sweethearts Tea. This is why the event was created, simply to tell each other that they are loved and appreciated for all the time, energy, creativity, and heartfelt love they give in service to the community. Creators Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts and Alicia Smith welcomed over 100 guests who came to celebrate the occasion by donning selections of sweetheart and stylish attire.
After air kisses, real kisses, exchanges of greetings, guffaws, and gossip, Hasina Starks, Area Marketing Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, welcomed the crowd and introduced me. Beginning the program, I invited all the hostesses, Carl, Duncan, Forsythe, Moody and Smith to join me as I said, “If I began to tell you of their community service, we would be here for weeks.” I mentioned that the star of Channel 11’s Great Day Houston star will be chairing the Salvation Army Gala in November. Her community service is well documented and multitudinous.
Duncan gave a brief history of the beneficiary of the day, The Mission of Yahweh, which has been sheltering and providing aid to homeless women and children for 64 years. As Duncan explained, “The Mission of Yahweh is truly a unique refuge that not only provides food, clothing and shelter, but is committed to rehabilitating women to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.” She introduced the new Executive Director of The Mission, Gaye Jackson, who reminded the crowd of the Mission’s major fundraiser of the year, the Leaders & Legends Gala, which is scheduled for September 26.
Always the highlight of the day came when Duncan introduced the Houston Sweethearts 2025. Met with a rousing welcome of adulation and appreciation were recipients with an astonishing history of service: Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena Faust, Marilu Garza, Tama Lundquist, Elizabeth Stein and Saks VP and General Manager, Heidi Turney.
Savoring the ambiance, fellowship, champagne and bountiful bites from 5115 Restaurant were: Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Phoebe Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Brigitte Kalai, Saula Valente, Betty Hrncir, Nini Hale, Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, Angie Roberts, Cheryl Byington, Scott Evans, Gayla Gardner, Dr. Laura Murillo, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Mady Kades, Ann Ayre, Heidi Rockecharlie, Sandra Smith-Cooper, Christine Johnson, Cindy Bendy, Jerre Williams, Jody Merritt, Marge Lundquist, Sonia Soto, Ellie Francisco, Sandra Porter, Kim Padgett, Sherri Zucker, Charity Yarborough Cox, Brittany Zucker, Paul-David Van Atta, Sarah Leftwich, Kirk Kveton, Anna Dean
