Friends Gala 2011

Friends of the Foundation Produce Another Fun Filled Evening

Seven Galas and Counting . . .

Having chaired an astounding SEVEN Friends Galas, the dynamic trio of Donna Lewis, Lin Mills Smolensky, and Nancy White now deserve to be known collectively as “Stehlin’s Angels.” Thanks to the Angels, the 31st annual event was a smashing success!

Nancy White, Lin Mills Smolensky, Donna Lewis

The evening kicked off with fast and furious bidding on a huge assortment of gift, entertainment, and travel items in the Silent Auction. In the expert hands of Auction Chair Anna Williams-Parker, both the silent and live auctions raised significant funds in support of the Foundation’s new prostate cancer research project.

We’re Glad You Danced!

Diners were entertained by two spectacular professional dancers, and then everyone had a chance to “show their stuff” when the guitars and fiddles of Back at the Ranch began. People had to look twice to see if Bob Wills had taken the stage, because the group featured the classic Western Swing tunes familiar to every card-carrying Texas cowboy and girl. Grammy Award-winning headliner Lee Ann Womack followed. As expected, Lee Ann lit up the room. When she began her chart-topping hit ”I Hope You Dance,” there wasn’t room for another pair of boots on the dance floor.

If party goers thought they could rest when Lee Ann left the stage, they were in for a surprise. Doppelganger cranked up the energy for the next three hours, combining classic rock, R&B, and even disco. Everyone’s favorites were represented, and we suspect many pairs of dancing shoes (and dancers) were worn out.

Special Thanks

An event of the size and complexity of the Friends Gala takes the hard work of MANY dedicated volunteers.

Lee Ann Womack, Nancy Ames, Danny Ward

Dozens of Friends members donated countless hours before, during, and after the event. Special thanks must go to Nancy Ames and Danny Ward for their tireless efforts to plan, produce, and support the event. Nancy and Danny teamed with legendary designer Bill Stubbs to donate a spectacular catered dinner for eight guests to the live auction! Nancy and Danny are doing the cooking, with Bill hosting the event in his fabulous Houston home. Finally, the wonderful wines served at the event were hand selected and generously donated by Olivia and Robert Pacini.

Click to View Gala Photos!

Underwriters and Table Sponsors

Major Benefactor

Mrs. Charline Dauphin

Benefactor

The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Houston

Shall We Dance

Lucy Bonneau Striking Against Breast Cancer

Just Dance

The Ellwood Foundation

Mrs. Annette Scranton

Burn The Floor

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

CHRISTUS Foundation for Healthcare

CHRISTUS Health

Abraham D. Garza, Jr. in honor of Conception Garza Montez

Insperity

Lisa and John Lents

Ginger and Terry Rathert

Mrs. Denise Rosenfeld

Dance Fever

Andrea Montgomery Designs

Cinco Energy Services

GE Oil & Gas, Drilling and Surface

Wendy and Beppino Giovanella

Houston Contract Interiors

Donna and Norman Lewis

The Marek Family

Riviana Foods, Inc.

FlashDance

Nathalie and Bastiaan de Zeeuw

Jeanette and Jim Woods

Boot Scootin’

Alief Feed Store, Inc.

Jacki and Brian Evans

Five Star Metals, Inc.

Sally and David Harvin

Janet and Elton Lipnick in honor of Dr. Peter de Ipolyi

Michelle and Constantine Markides

Masraff’s Restaurant

Cathey and Michael Meagher

Jan and Tom Phipps

Sport Court of Texas

Last Tango

Eva Wolski and Donald Black

Colliers International

Edge Creative Strategies, LLC

Arlene and Alan Gerger

Veronica and Dana Gompers

Mr. Thomas Jackson

Wanda S. Kimbrell, CPA

Teresa and John Langston

Kim and Jeff Little

Danna and Hal Lynde

Marla’s Gem Creations

Martha Turner Properties

Marilyn and John McGill

Bud and Karen Najvar

Dr. Ethan and Kathy Natelson

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Sara Reddy, MD

Sheila and Jim Rickert

William Sarosky

Jenny and Sam Tavor

Jerri and David Trigg

Karen and Charlie Walker

Barbara and Steve Wirick

Adrienne and David Zugheri

Click to View Gala Photos!

You also may wish to visit the Friends Facebook page for additional photos and comments.