Big Top, Bigger Check: Mission of Yahweh Gala Raises $800,000
Betty Hrncir, Warner Roberts and Sidney Faust (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
By Jeff Gremillion
The Greatest Mission on Earth came to The Post Oak Hotel with stilts, a snake charmer and a record check.
More than 420 supporters turned out Friday, Sept. 25, for the circus-themed gala benefiting The Mission of Yahweh, raising more than $800,000 for the organization’s work with women and children experiencing homelessness. Gala chairs Robin and Danny Klaes and honorary chairs Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff and Cynthia Wolff closed the night with the strongest result the event has posted.
Presenting sponsors Nichole and Benny Agosto underwrote the evening. Honorees Monica Hartland, Samantha and David Kennedy, and Warner Roberts were introduced with videos from FireFox Video. Roberts, a longtime volunteer, told the room that women and children often arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing, and that the Mission’s programs are built to give them a path back to independence.
Emcees Frank Billingsley and Ernie Manouse kept the pace moving. Let It Fly turned the ballroom into a big-top setting, with H-E-B florals and sparkling red-and-white drum centerpieces. Stilt walkers, a magician and a snake charmer worked the reception. Mary Gracely opened with the invocation.
Gloria Guinyard, once a resident and now on staff, described arriving at the Mission in crisis and later finding a way to help other women on the same road. Auctioneer Johnny Bravo then took over the live appeal. Paddles went up for a Broadway package, a luxury home in Puerto Vallarta, a one-of-a-kind Houston Rodeo package and a trip on the Houston Texans’ team jet to a game. A raffle added another burst of applause before the night wrapped on what organizers called a high-flying finish.
Seen in the crowd: Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Gary Petersen, Hannah and Cal McNair, Tripp Carter, Sidney Faust, Cora Sue Mach, Jacquie Baly and James Craig.
Vicki Rizzo, Sandra Porter and Chris Kase (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Mark Haas and Monica Hartland (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Keith Guillory, Leisa Fruge, Valnetina Kelly and Earl Kelly (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Jill Hartland and Julie Pitts (photo by Jacob Power)
Amber and Cole Zeagler (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Gary Petersen (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Frank Billingsley and Ernie Manouse (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes (photo by Jacob Power)
Cal and Hannah McNair, and Joanna Hartland and Frank Edgerly (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Brigitte Kalai and Farida Abjani (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Jay and Lara Bany (photo by Jacob Power)
Anna Reger and Maria Moncada Alaoui (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Audrey and Carl Sanders (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Deborah Laws and Cheryl Byington (photo by Jacob Power)
Robin Klaes with snake charmer (photo by Jacob Power)
Liniah Slater, Helen A Gay andDeionna Gipson (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Jerre Williams and Beth Wolff (photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Henri and Susan Soussann (photo by Daniel Ortiz)