Fall 2008
Kid Stuffkid stuffa publication of Houston Children’s Charity
fall 2008pages 2-3 page 5 page 6-7
Executive Director | Laura Ward
Houston Children’s Charity | A Year in Review
“Our Kids are Everybody’s Kids.”
Whatadifferenceayearmakes!Thepagesthatfollowwillgiveyouanin-depthlookatourprogramsandarecapofourexcitingeventsthathelpusraisefundstoassistthespecialchildrenofHouston.However,nowwe’dliketosharewithyoutheimpactwe’vemadeinthepastyear.Whilewerecognizethatit’snotaboutthequantityofassistanceprovidedbutratherthequalityoftheservice.Wealsounderstandthatthemorehelpwecanprovide,thebetteritisforthechildren.
- Christmas Party | December 16, 2007 - 650 children from 17 area agencies
- Adopt-A-Family Program | Christmas 2007 - 67 sponsors, 100 familes with 266 children
- Toy Distribution | Christmas 2007 - 940 children from 145 families and area agencies.
- Easter Party | March 1, 2008 - 320 children from 8 area agencies
- Chariots for Children Van Program - 5 Vans, 1 Minivan, 1 Box Truck
- Houston Comets Basketball Outing - 300 children
- HCC Scholarship Program - 4 recipients (each awarded $12,000)
The faces of
Houston Children’s
Charity
DearFriends,
In a city of over four million people,it is often the smallest voices that go un-heardand,becauseofthis,Houston’sspe-cialchildrenareforceddailytogowithoutessentialssuchasfood,healthcareorevena bed. Twelve years ago, Houston Chil-dren’sCharitywascreated toaddress thisvery problem. Since then, our desire hasconsistentlybeen theheartofourmissionstatement:toleavenolegitimaterequestforassistanceunanswered.
Wecan’ttakeonsuchadauntingtask,though,withoutyou:ourfriendsanddedi-catedsupporters.Inthepastyear,yourgen-erorsityhashelpedusprovideasmall rayofsunshineintheotherwisedismallydarklives of many families in our great city.Throughourbedprogram,“ABetterNight’sSleep,”you’vehelpedchildrensleepsound-ly.Throughourvanprogram,“ChariotsforChildren,”you’vehelpedbroadentheedu-cationalandculturalhorizonsofcountlesschildren.YougaveChristmastoover1,800children who would otherwise not havehad one.You also helped send four hard-workinganddeservingstudentstocollegethroughourScholarshipProgram.
As we approach a busy time of yearwithour12thAnnualGalaonOctober25thand Christmas programs that will followshortlythereafter,Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankyou.Mysincerestap-preciationgoestoyou,ourfriends,notonlyfor the unwaivering support you’ve givenin years past but for all of the wonderfulmomentsofgenerositythatyouwillsurelybeapartofinthefuture.Ilookforwardtoworking with you as we make an impactin the lives of Houston’s underprivileged,abused and disabled children who havebeenotherwiseleftbehind.
Gala Preview Celebrity Dinner Kids Programs
12
TH A
NN
UA
LGA
LAMomentum BMW Southwest & West
and
The Houston Children’s Charity Board of Directorspresent the
12th Annual GalaSaturday, October 25, 2008
Hyatt Regency Houston
Featuring a special performance by British superstar soul singer, Joe Cocker
Sheridan & John Eddie WilliamsChairpersons
Shelby Hodge & Shafik RifaatHonorees
2009 BMW 335I Convertible
-Betheowneroftheexclusive2009BMW335iConvertiblewithretractable hardtop. There is currently a waitlist for this spectacular vehicle. Be the first one toownit!
Courtesy of Momentum BMW Southwest and West
Over the Top in Cabo
-5Couples-7nightstayinoneofthelargesthomesinLosCabos,“CasaPlaya,”overlookingthebeautifulwatersoftheSeaofCortez
Courtesy of Penny & Paul B. Loyd, Jr. -Roundtripairtransportationfor6viaprivatejet
Courtesy of Cathy & Jesse Marion
Golden Nugget
-5couples-WeekendstayinaSpaTowersuiteattheGoldenNugget-$1,000foreachcoupleinpromotionalchips-Dinnerandbeveragesfor10atVic&Anthony’s-Dinnerandbeveragesfor10atGrottos-Roundtripairtransportationfor10viaprivatejet-Challenger
Courtesy of Tilman J. Fertitta & the Golden Nugget
Western Mediterranean Cruise
-7Nightcruisefor2aboardoneofSeabournCruiseLines’fabulousships-Cruiseincludesallmeals,drinks,onboardentertainment,andgratuities.
Courtesy of Frosch Travel / The Leibman Family & Seabourn Cruise Line-2roundtripBusinessFirsttickets Courtesy of Continental Airlines
Girl’s Best Friends
-DiamondBracelet-Courtesy of Paul Carter Jewels-CesarGalindoEveningGown-Leopard-printchiffongownwithlaceembellishments- Courtesy of Cesar Galindo-FullLengthFurCoat-Courtesy of Sakowitz Furs
Buenos Aires
-3NightsinBuenosAires:AlvearPalace(deluxeroom)Courtesy of Alvear Palace Hotel
-2roundtripBusinessFirstClasstickets
Colorado Awaits You - Telluride
-5Couples-1WeekStayinaspectacularhillsideresidenceinTelluride,Colorado-Entertainyourguestssurroundedbymorethan5,300squarefeetofcomfort - 5 bedrooms, 6 and 1 half baths, 5 fireplaces, steam showers, sauna, sunken exteriorhottub,andrecreationroomwithfullkitchen,fungamesandthetruefeel of “quality family time” sitting around the fire!
Courtesy of Sheridan & John Eddie Williams
Hit the Slopes - Beaver Creek
-Nomattertheseason,youandnineofyourfriendswillmakelastingmemoriesduringaweek’sstayinthisprivate,ski-in/ski-outmountainhomefeaturingaccesstotheclub/spa,graciouslivinganddiningareasandanindoorhottub.-RoundtripairtransportationviaDassaultFalconprivatejet.
Courtesy of Edna Meyer-Nelson
Kick It Up With Kimmel & Sushi with Belushi
-4ticketstoatapingof“LateNightwithJimmyKimmel”-Back-stagemeetandgreetwithphoto-op-DinnerwithJimmyKimmel
Courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel-4ticketstoatapingof“AccordingtoJim”-Backstagemeetandgreetwithphoto-op-SushiDinnerwithJimBelushi
Courtesy of Jim Belushi-GuitarautographedbyJamesBrown
Courtesy of Anna Williams
Stardom for a Year
-Betheenvyofallyourfriendswith2ticketstoeachofthefollowingexclusiveawardshows!
Coast to Coast Grand Slam
-Houston: - 4 first row tickets directly behind homeplate at an Astros Game, Dinner at Vic&Anthony’sSteakhouse.
Courtesy of Paige & Tilman Fertitta and Landry’s Restaurants, Inc.-4ticketsbehindhomeplateatanAstrosGamenexttothediamondclubandbehindthenet,4VIPClubpasses,ParkingpassinlotA,$250giftcardtoVic&Anthony’s.
Courtesy of Dr. Hank and Jackie Blum-Boston:-4premiereticketstoaBostonRedSoxGame,Chef’stastingfor4atTheCapitalGrille,2NighthotelstayattheBostonMarriotCopleyPlace,RoundtripAirfarefor4included.
Courtesy of The Capital Grille-LosAngeles: - 4 first row tickets directly behind homeplate at a Los AngelesDodgersGame,Dinner,3NightStayatTheBeverlyHillsPeninsulaHotel,RoundtripFirstClassAirfareincluded.
Courtesy of Edna Meyer-Nelson-St.Louis:-4ticketsonthefrontrownexttotheSt.LouisCardinalsdugout,Dinner,2NightHotelStay,RoundtripFirstClassAirfareincluded.
Courtesy of Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P.
Houston Restaurant Tour
-Dinnerfor10(Wine&BeverageIncluded)
Courtesy of All Parties Mentioned
-BillboardAwards-GoodMorningAmerica(VIPseats)-TheCountryMusicAwards-JimmyKimmelLive(VIPseats)-TheDaytimeEmmys
-LivewithRegis&Kelly(VIPseats)-TheGrammy’s-TheEllenDeGeneresShow-TheTonyAwards-TheView(VIPseats)
-CaféAnnie-Damian’sCucinaItaliana-FlemingsPrimeSteakhouseandWineBar-Gigi’sAsianBistro&DumplingBar-Masraff’s-Shula’sSteakHouse-HyattRegencyHouston-SorrentoRistorante
-TheCapitalGrille-Vic&Anthony’sSteakhouse-Mortons(Dinnerfor20,WineandBeverageIncluded)-Culinaire(Cateredmulti-coursedinnerfor20inyourhomeincludingwaitstaff.Alcoholnotincluded.)
Live Auction Preview
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J.S.&DeborahAdlerBobAllenIleneAllenAlvearPalaceHotelAlvinGeePhotography/MaryBethTouchstoneAnimalHouseMaryBethAspromonteGeorgeAult,MomentumBMWSouthwestEricka&JeffBagwellBailey’sAmericanGrille-ClearlakeKelly&DougBarclayEdwardBarnettDennisBeardenJimBelushiMelinda&Dr.NormanBerkmanElvinBetheaCraigBiggioCynthiaBlizzardPaul&MerrillBonarrigoBrittanyBlakeInteriorsChrisBrownElaineBlockKathyBosworthDebbieBransonElisabeth&JamesBrayMarianne&GilBruvelR.BruceBuckleyBudLight/SilverEagleDistributors,L.P.Budweiser/Anheuser-Busch,Inc.Susanne&JohnByramCafeAnnieDanCollins&MelissaZarikianDiane&JohnB.Connally,IIIJan&TimConnollyContinentalAirlinesHowardCovens/IntegrityLimousine&Towncar
Service,L.P.CovensInteriorPlants,Inc.CulinaireCateringChristy&LouCushman/ZacaMesaWineryDamian’sCucinaItalianaPerri&DanD’ArmondDougDawsonDr.&Mrs.ClotaireD.DeleryDarrylMurchisonDesign,LLCDeBeersDavidDevaney/WarehouseAssociatesLarryDierkerFrankDiMariaRossDinersteinRichardDole
Sylvia&TommyDorseyDougDrabekClydeDrexlerAudreyDrought-MitchellMaryEdmista/MFADesignsRenee&HillFeinbergPatriceFerguson&JohnCampPaigeandTilmanFertitta/Landry’s Restaurants,Inc.Debbie&RudyFestari/FestariforMenDeeDee&TommyFibichFirstSouthwestCompanyFleming’sPrimeSteakhouseandWineBarPatsy&GregFourticqDr.&Mrs.PedroFrommerFroschTravel/TheLeibmanFamily&Seabourn
CruiseLineJohnFurnishCesarGalindoBettyGaltBrownGigi’sAsianBistro&DumplingBarMichaelGilgGittingsSandy&LeeGodfreySylviaGoldsteinHarrietGordonJanetGurwitchGrantW.GuthrieSusan&DickHansenHarold’sPatriciaandPatHarrison/WarehouseAssociatesElizabeth&GrantHarveyElvinHayesTimHellerTracyHendrix/DelFriscosShelby Hodge & Shafik RifaatArlene&MarshallHoffmanLeisaHolland-NelsoLindseyHolsteadCourtneyHopkinsHoustonJewishCommunityFoundationCarol&JohnHowenstineVirginia&GeorgeHuckebaDianaHudson&LeeKaplanSimone&JohnIrwinMary&JohnnyB.JohnsonKaren&MarkJohnsonJoseEberSalonKaylinHarrJewelersMarthaKeanJimmyKimmel
KinderFoundationTomKochKrispenKTRK,Channel13LillyKuceraAndressLarie&JackLenhartReneeJ.LewisDianeLokeyFarbPenny&PaulB.Loyd,Jr.OliverLuckJoanLyonsMasraff’sAmineMattaMichelle&JeffMajewskiLisaMaloskyBarbaraMcKnightEdMcMahonMontyMeave/MomentumBMWWestLynneMeiers&RandyDrakeChristineandLouisMessinaEdnaMeyer-NelsonMGProductions/MichaelGilgStephanie&AnthonyMilamMomentumBMWSouthwest&WestMariaMoncada-Alaoui/MomentumBMWLynnMonteithAuthorMooradian/DelFriscosDr.LoisJ.MooreMorton’s-TheSteakhouseNederlandJewelersDonNelsonGiffNielsenNimaBoutiqueSusan&FredNixRobertOrosDennisO’RourkePasadenaISDEducationFoundationPaulCarterJewelsPerry’sSteakhouse-ClearlakeDanciePeruginiWareJohnPham/MomentumBMWPossini’sRAGPrintingTerryH.RambinRenaissanceArtsMaryLouRettonKelleyFelixRhymes/RhymesandCo.JohnRichardsMaryF.Riley,DDSFranelleRogersSybilF.Roos
E.JayRosensteinRuth’sChrisSteakhouseNolanRyanSakowitzFursSallyJ.SalnersJess&BethSandersMooreCarol&Dr.TomSawyerKristi&JohnSchiller,Jr.MikeSenske/AquariumDesignGroupLLCCharles SheffieldShula’sSteakHouse-HyattRegencyHoustonSilverseaCruisesRobin&PaulSimonSorrentoRistoranteNeimanMarcus/StaceySwiftTheAlkek&WilliamsFoundationTheCapitalGrilleTheHoustonianHotel,Club&SpaTheWrightPawn&JewelryCo.Inc.SpencerTillmanRobertTijerinaTony’sTootsie’sTRESGem&JewelryIleana&MichaelTrevinoMr.&Mrs.JesseTutorMaiTran/Mai’sNailsPerfectionSteveTrent,HyattRegencyHoustonTony&DonnaValloneAstridVanDykeVic&Anthony’sSteakhouseVikkiVines/GalleryAuctionsWalzel-FrickFoundationInc.CharlieWardLaura&DaveWardAndreWareSusan&TommyWattsSheridan&JohnEddieWilliamsBess&RobertWilsonKentWilsonMyraWilsonKathyBosworth&JohnWisneskiWoodlakeTravel/LindadeSosaVinceYoungVT2MediaDesign&Communications/ VicTamborellaZadokJewelersSherriZucker2008GalaCommittee
special thanks
underwritersBeckerFamilyFoundationMomentumBMWSouthwestandWestChristy&LouCushman/Arlene&MarshallHoffman/Carol&John
Howenstine/Jeff&MichelleMajewski/DennisO’Rourke&ElaineBlock/NedBarnett
Paige&TilmanFertitta/Landry’sRestaurants,Inc.Michelle&RobertMarshEdnaMeyer-NelsonTheMarionFoundationTheSmithFoundationSheila&WalterUmphreySheridan&JohnEddieWilliams
benefactorsEricka&JeffBagwellBMCSoftwareGatewoodFamilyFoundationJanetGurwitch/Susanne&JohnByram/PatriceFerguson&JohnCampHyattRegencyHoustonPenny&PaulB.Loyd,Jr.Mrs.MargaretAlkekWilliams/RayC.FishFoundation
sponsorsCynthia&BuckyAllshouse/Dr.Walter&LindaMcReynolds/Pat&DanBreenMomentumBMWSouthwestandWestBudLight/SilverEagleDistributors,L.P.TheSmithFoundationJeanette&JimWoods
patronsLeslieAlexander&TheHoustonRocketsSuzyAtkins&SteveGordan/Annette&HalKuntzBudweiser/Anheuser-Busch,Inc.CitiContinentalAirlinesCooperIndustriesCowboys&IndiansDianeLokeyFarb/Karen&MikeMayell/Jess&BethSandersMooreGardereWynneSewellLLPGracelyFootprintsFoundationDavidHuntingtonDarlaLexington&JohnO’QuinnCoraSue&HarryMachMagenheim&AssociatesLouis&ChristineMessinaStanfordGroupCompanyThompson&KnightMr.&Mrs.DavidM.Underwood,Jr.ValerusCompressionServices,L.P./MaximSilencers,Inc.Mr.&Mrs.RobWilson,III
supportersMelinda&Dr.NormanBerkman/Patsy&GregFourticq/Diane&JohnB.Connally,III/Karen&MarkJohnson/Vesta&Dr.PedroFromerJedManocherian-Bony/InHonorofEdnaMeyer-NelsonBusinessInsuranceGroupVicki&DonK.ClarkCocaColaNorthAmericaCovenantHouseBoardofDirectorsDevonEnergyCorporationFrankDiMaria/TonyZagorskiCarolynFaulk/A&CPlastics,Inc.Julia&RussellFrankelJenniferHawkinsHawthorneFoundation
(Supporters continued)HerculesOffshoreHoustonChronicleHumanaHealthPlansSteveKherkher/JimHart/JohnBoundasKTRK-TV/ABC13EdnaMeyer-NelsonAudreyandLeeMitchellMomentumJaguarPaulCarterJewelsCarol&Dr.TomSawyer/RichardDole/Dr.&Mrs.Delery/Vicki&JimClepperAmbassadorArthurSchechter&Mrs.JoyceSchechterTexasChildren’sHospitalTheMethodistHospitalUniversityofTexasHealthScienceCenteratHoustonUteEnergyWhitneyBank
individual patronsLilly&ThurmonAndressDr.Henry&JackieBlumDr.F.Charles&MelissaBrunicardiTracieButryn&MichaelWardDr.&Mrs.JohnB.Clemmons,Jr.Dr.&Mrs.GaryK.FriedmanGittingsDarryl&UrsalineHamiltonSusan&DickHansonMaryann&JodieHofferMargaret&JeffreyLanier,M.D.TriniMendenhall-Sosa&FrankSosaFranelleRogersReginaRogersLyndaL.TransierAstrid&GeneVanDykeInna&ScottWitzig
Featuring a special performance by British superstar soul singer, Joe Cocker
3
John Eddie & Sheridan Williams Shafik Rifaat & Shelby Hodge, Tilman Fertitta
Vicki Clark, Jan Carson, Ilene Allen Perri & Dan D’Armond
Don & Maggie Henderson, Dr. David Poplack
Momentum BMW’s Monty Meave, Maria Moncada Aloui & George Ault
Whatdoyougetwhenyoucombineagroupof
diligent committee members, fabulous auction items
andtheevergenerousMomentumBMW?Themakings
ofatrulyspectacularGalaAuction.
Thanks to thegenerosityofourfriendsatMo-
mentumBMWSouthwestandWest,all proceedsfrom
theGala’spremiereLiveAuction item, a2009BMW
335iConvertiblewithRetractableHardtop, will benefit
HoustonChildren’sCharity.Adonationofthismagni-
tudewilltremendouslyaidHoustonChildren’sCharity
and thespecialchildrenweserve. Notonlyhaveour
friendsatBMWdonatedthisyear’spremiereLiveAuc-
tion item,but theyhavealreadyagreed tobeour title
sponsor anddonateyet another fabulouscar toHous-
tonChildren’sCharityforour2009Gala:Theluxurious
BMW6Series.WethankourfriendsatBMWSouth-
westandWest-thisisanunprecedentedcontribution.
TheGalaCommitteemembershavebeenwork-
inghardtosecuresomeamazingauctionitemsforthe
upcoming event on October 25th! We would like to
thank Paige and Tilman Fertitta for hosting a beauti-
ful evening for thecommitteeon thealways stunning
verandaatBrenner’son theBayou inMarch.Acock-
tailbuffetincludingstonecrabclawsandhotchocolate
chipcookiesandmilkreallywowedthecrowd.Many
thanksgotoAuthorMooradianforhostinganelegant
eveningin thewineroomatDelFrisco’s inMay.Del
Frisco’spinapple-infusedmartiniswereenjoyedbyall.
WelookforwardtoabeautifuleveningatShula’sSteak
HouseattheHyattRegencyHoustoninSeptember.We
thankSteveTrent,GeneralManageroftheHyatt,forhis
generosity.
Abigthankstoallwhohavebeeninvolvedwith
thisyear’sGalaCommittee.HoustonChildren’sCharity
couldn’tdoitwithoutyou!
2008 Gala Committee
Melanie Johnson & Paige Fertitta
Brittany Zucker, Michelle & Jeff Majewski, Sherri Zucker
Carolyn Faulk & Mike Kacal
Gil & Marianne Bruvel
John & Donna Speer
Felix Rhymes, Grant Guthrie, Bob Ogle, Greg Brown
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The Premeire 2008 Gala Live Auction Item
Generously donated by Title Sponsor Momentum BMW
Southwest and West
2009 BMW 335i Convertible with Retractable Hardtop.
Shafik Rifaat & Shelby Hodge, Tilman Fertitta
The vibrant colors of the tropical flowers, the spicy scent of Mexi-
canfoodandthesoftsoundsofsalsamusicprovidedtheperfectsettingfor
the fiesta-themed celebrity party at the home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta
in April. With a guest list of over 150 attendees, the night was filled with
funandfamiliarfacesofthosewithtrulygreatachievements.
Thebeautifulterraceandpooloverlooking
therollinglandscapeoftheFertitta’shomewould
havebeenchicenough,buttheypulledoutallthe
stops, leaving no detail unattended to. To truly
authenticate the fiesta-theme, a poolside cantina
served refreshing margaritas that complimented
the sizzling fajita bar. Tables were adorned with
fiesta inspired clothes and the décor was carried
throughoutthelandscape.
InthecrowdwerenewcomerTennesseeTitanQuarterbackVince
Youngalongwithall-timefavorite,NolanRyan.(Otherstarsthatshown
brightlyincludedJeffBagwell,CraigBiggio,LarryDierker,andMaryLou
RettonKelley.)ThehighlightofthenightcamewhenTilmanintroduced
each celebrity and presented them each with a leather duffle bag from the
charity.
ExecutiveDirectorLauraWard introducedandhonored the four
purchasers,JulieandAlanKent,MichelleandRobertMarsh,DeeDeeand
WallisMarsh,andEdnaMeyer-Nelsonwithagift
fromthecharity.
Alwaysthelifeoftheparty,HoustonTexan
GuardChesterPittsclosedtheprogramportionof
theeveningsayingexuberantly,“Thiswasawon-
derful evening. I’ll definitely be back next year!”
Everyoneinattendancecouldn’tagreemore.
Othercelebritiesthatmadetheeveningspe-
cialincludedBobAllen,ElvinBethea,ChrisBrown,DougDawson,Clyde
Drexler,ElvinHayes,CommanderMarkKelly,CommanderScottKelly,
OliverLuck,LisaMalosky,GiffNielsen,SpencerTillman,DaveWard,
CharlieWardandAndreWare.
A Night Among the Stars | Celebrity Dinner
“This was a wonderful evening. I’ll definitely be back next year!” - Chester Pitts | Houston Texans Guard
Nolan Ryan, Elvin Hayes, Elvin Bethea, Larry Dierker, Scott Kelly, Dave Ward, Giff Neilson, Bob Allen,
Michelle & Robert Marsh, Vince Young, Lisa Malosky, Jeff Bagwell, Chester Pitts, Roy Marsh & date, Oliver
Luck, Charlie Ward, Chris Brown, Clyde Drexler, Craig Biggio, Andre Ware, Mark Kelly, Doug Drabek,
Mary Lou Retton Kelley, Spencer Tilman
George Ault, Felix Rhymes, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Maria Moncada Aloui
Clyde Drexler, Tilman Fertitta, Jeff Bagwell
Vince Young, Paige Fertitta, Major Adams
Sue & Lester Smith, Laura Ward Amy & Chris Brown Patty & Craig Biggio
Shannon & Mary Lou Retton Kelley, Ruth & Nolan Ryan
Dave Ward, Cathy & Jesse Marion Elvin & Pat Bethea
Nolan Ryan, Elvin Hayes, Elvin Bethea, Larry Dierker, Scott Kelly, Dave Ward, Giff Neilson, Bob Allen,
Allison Kent, Alan & Julie Kent, Vince Young, Lisa Malosky, Jeff Bagwell, Chester Pitts, Drs. Jennifer & Todd
Youngblood, Oliver Luck, Charlie Ward, Chris Brown, Clyde Drexler, Mark Kelly, Mary Lou Retton Kelley, Craig
Biggio, Andre Ware, Doug Drabek, Spencer Tilman
Nolan Ryan, Elvin Hayes, Elvin Bethea, Larry Dierker, Scott Kelly, Dave Ward, Giff Neilson, Bob Allen,
Wallis & Dee Dee Marsh, Vince Young, Lisa Malosky, Oliver Luck, Jeff Bagwell, Chester Pitts, Charlie Ward, Chris Brown, Mary Lou Retton Kelley, Clyde Drexler,
Craig Biggio, Andre Ware, Mark Kelly, Doug Drabek, Spencer Tilman
5
A Better Night’s Sleep
Making a difference for Houston’s
Adopt-A-Family HCChelpshundredsoffamiliesrepresentingthousandsofchildrenintheHoustonareaeachyear.
Thefamiliesweserveareindireneedofhelpandwouldnototherwisereceiveassistance.
Themajorityofourfamiliesaresinglemothersraisingtheirchildrenalone,strugglingtoaffordthe
mostbasicnecessities.Christmaspresentsarealuxurycompletelyoutoftheirreach.Itisourgoalduring
theHolidaystoprovideeachfamilyweservewithwonderful,highqualitygifts.Werelyentirelyonyour
generosityanddonationstodothis.
TheAdopt-A-FamilyProgramconnectssponsorswithfamiliesto“adopt”byprovidingthemwith
a family profile and wish list. Sponsors buy presents for their specific families and arrange to deliver them
totheiradoptedfamily.Ifyouoryourcompanywouldbeinterestedinsponsoringafamilyorfamiliesthis
Christmasseasonorwouldlikemoreinformationaboutthisveryworthwhileprogram,pleasecalltheHCC
office at (713)524-2878 or check out our website at www.houstonchildrenscharity.org.
Sleep Research
Houston Children’s Charity’s newest program,A Better Night’s Sleep, will allowHouston’sspecialchildrentosleepcomfortablyeverynight.$100putsachildinanewbed!The goal is to provide beds to children who are sleeping on the floor, never having had a rest-fulplacetolaytheirhead.HCCwillalsoprovidesheets,pillows,blanketsandpillowcasesforeachbedgiventoaneedychild. Thereare thousandsofchildren inHoustonwhodonothavebeds,manyof themsleeping on the floor. Scientific research has been conducted that links better performance in schooltoagoodnight’ssleep. Initiallyannouncedatthe2007HCCGala,$80,600wasraised.For$100,anindi-vidualcansponsorabedforachildinneed,whichmeansonthatnightalone,HCCraisedenoughfundstopurchaseover800beds.Sincetheprogram’slaunchandtheoutstandingsupportfromthe11thAnnualGalainOctober,HCChasprovidedmanychildreninHoustonwithexactlywhattheprogramoffers:abetternight’ssleep.InJuly2008alone,over100bedsweregiventoneedychildrenfrom63familiesinourcommunity. ThegrowthofthisprogramissuretobeswiftwiththehelpoftheSleepTeamCreatorandFounderLaura Ward,Jeff Majewski,Ilene AllenandCarol Sawyerandapartner-shipwithTheFurnitureBank.Toencouragethisgrowth,wehavealsopartneredwithmanyagenciesinordertomakethebiggestimpactpossibleinthelivesofHouston’sspecialchil-dren.Thesepartneragenciesinclude:AldineYouth,BeanAngel,Boys&GirlsClub,Boys&GirlsHarbor,CasadeEsperanza,ChildAdvocates,Inc.,Children’sAssessmentCenter,Conroe PoliceActivities League, Covenant HouseTexas, Holy Family Catholic Church,HopeShelter, IncentiveBoysRanch,Jaycee’sCenterforGirls,KIPPAcademy,LaRosa,NehemiahCenter,OdysseyHouse,SEARCH,ShamarHopeHaven,TheForgeforFamilies,TheWestviewSchool,andWestsideHomelessPartnership. TheFurnitureBankhasagreedtoprovidestorageforthebedsandframesandwillalso provide the delivery and setup for the beds. Currently, they have 3 delivery truckswhichhavebeenprovidedbyHCCoverthepastseveralyears,includingaboxtruckrecentlydonated to them specifically for delivering beds to our recipients. To find out how you can be involved in this incredible venture, please call the HCC office at (713)524-2878 or check out our website at www.houstonchildrenscharity.org.
The growth ofAdopt-A-Family
2006
33 families, 88 children
2007
67 Sponsors, 100 families, 266 children
Symptoms of sleep deprivation in children: - Moodiness & irritability - Tendency to emotionally ‘explode’ at
the slightest provocation - Over-activity & hyperactive behavior
Effects of sleep loss on children: - Sleep loss causes a range of problems in school, including naughtiness and
poor concentration. - Sleep problems in teenagers are associated with increased risk of disorders such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
How much sleep is enough? - Primary school children – need about nine to
10 hours. Studies show that increasing your child’s sleep by as little as half an hour can dramatically improve school performance.
- Teenagers – need about nine to 10 hours, too. Teenagers have an increased sleep requirement at the time when social engagements and peer pressure cause a
reduction in sleep time.
Source: Better Health Channel Online
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Chariots for Children
Special Children
It’s Game Time | Comets Game For300ofHouston’sspecialchildren,June3rd,June28th,andJuly
22nd weren’t just any other nights; they were nights filled with fun and ex-
citementastheywatchedtheHoustonCometsatReliantArena.ShamarHope
Haven,BonitaHouse, Jaycee’sChildrenCenter,ConvenantHouseandSt.
MichaelHomeforChildrenallenjoyedthefunandlaughterofoneofmany
children’s outings. 100 tickets for each game were donated by Cathy and
Jesse Marion and the children enjoyed hotdogs, chips, cookies and drinks
courtesyofHoustonChildren’sCharity.SpecialthankstotheAramarkstaff
forallthattheydidtohelpthenightsbethesuccessestheywere!
One of Houston Children’s Charity’s long-standing and most successful pro-grams,ChariotsforChildren,hasdoneitagain!OnAugust6,2008,HoustonChildren’sCharityheldaluncheonatWillieG’stoawardsixvansandoneboxtrucktosixlocalcharities that benefit Houston’s special children. These agencies include The Forge for Families,Inc.,ImpactYouthDevelopmentCenter,NoMoreVictims,Inc.,Pro-Vision,Inc.,CovenantHouseTexas,andTheFurnitureBank. ChairmanoftheBoard,TilmanFertitta,openedthelunchwelcomingandthank-ingallof theguests for their attendance.Hestated thatourmission is toprovide forHouston’sspecialchildrenwhereotherscannot.Wedothatinmanywaysandareex-tremelyproudofthevariousprogramsthatHoustonChildren’sCharityhascreated.HeintroducedExecutiveDirector,LauraWard,whoexplainedthatprogramssuchasChari-otsforChildrenallowHoustonChildren’sCharitytoassistthespecialchildreninHous-ton.ShewentontosaythattheChariotsforChildrenvanprogramwasfoundedin1996to provide specifically designed and equipped vehicles to organizations with a similar mission.Includingour2008vanrecipients,HoustonChildren’sCharityhasawardedatotalof76vansand3boxtruckstoover57agenciesandindividualfamiliesatacostof$2,073,923overthepast12years. LauraintroducedEdnaMeyer-Nelson,PresidentofHoustonChildren’sCharity,whopresentedthekeystoeachvantotheagencies.Eachrepresentativesharedincred-iblytouchingtestimoniesabouttheirrespectiveorganizationsandhowgratefultheyaretoHoustonChildren’sCharity. Lauraconcludedtheprogramandthankedeveryoneforcomingouttoshowtheirsupport forHoustonChildren’sCharity.Therewereover60guests in attendance, in-cludingIleneAllen,GeorgeAultofMomentumBMW,ErickaBagwell,CharleneFloyd,JodieHoffer,JesseMarion,JudyNichols,JimmyOlguin,FelixRhymes,WarnerRoberts,CarolandDr.TomSawyer,LindadeSosa,SherriZuckerandBrittanyZucker.BoardmembersinattendanceincludedGaryBecker,CarolynFaulk,GrantGuthrie,DonHen-derson,JeffreyMajewski,Dr.LoisMooreandDaveWard.
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Marilyn Gambrel, Executive Director of No More Victims, Inc.
Gary Becker, Laura Ward, Tilman Fertita, Edna Meyer-Nelson
Back-2-School
Getting ready to go back to school can be an ex-pensive process, and Houston Children’s Charity wantedtolightentheloadthisyearforsomeofourcity’sneedieststudents.InAugust,HoustonChildren’sCharityhelped200childrenprepareforthe2008-2009schoolyearbyprovidinguniformvouchers,backpacksandschoolsupplies. Onceagain,theHoustonAssociationforHealthUn-derwriters generously collected school supplies and mon-etarydonationstosupportthisprogramandpresentedthesegiftstoHCCattheirAugustmeeting.ThankyoutoHAHUPublicServiceChairVeronicaWingofororganizingsupportforthisevent.
Jodie Hoffer and Oli Mohammed of The Furniture Bank
Edna Meyer-Nelson, Ronda Robinson,Cathy Henderson, Monte Cuba
Houston Children’s Charity Board of Directors
OfficersTilman J. Fertitta, Chairman of the Board
Edna Meyer-Nelson, PresidentJohn B. Johnson, President-ElectGary D. Becker, Past-President
Grant W. Guthrie, Vice President/Funding Co-ChairRobert A. Marsh, Vice PresidentDonald J Henderson, SecretaryThaddeus B. Brown, Treasurer
Don K. Clark, Funding Co-ChairLaura S. Ward, Executive Director
Directors
Gregory L. BrownDaniel R. D’Armond
Carolyn Faulk Paul B. Loyd, Jr.
Jeffrey T. MajewskiDr. Lois J. Moore
Michael F. RogersKevin J. Young
Advisory Board
J. Downey BridgwaterPastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
John L. Nau, IIIRobert E. Ogle
Dr. David G. PoplackDavid H. Ward
James D. Woods
We are always in need of caring
volunteers for our Children’s events.
Please contact the HCC Office at
713.524.2878 or email us at
[email protected] with your
name, address, phone
number and availability.
We appreciate your support!
For further information, visit our website atwww.houstonchildrenscharity.org
2008 Upcoming Events
Gala Underwriter Party - October 15, 2008
12th Annual Gala - October 25, 2008
Children’s Christmas Party
Adopt-A-Family Program