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HOUSTON
– On March 26, 2011, the sounds
of one of the most recognized voices in the world, Michael
McDonald, rang through the Verizon Wireless Theater. Michael
McDonald put on a magical performance with oldies like
“Takin’ It To the Streets” from his days as a Doobie Brother
and other Motown Favorites. McDonald’s appeal is to all
generations. Over 1,000 people were in tune to this 5-time
Grammy Award winning legend. During his performance, Gala
attendees could not help but rush to the stage to dance to
McDonald’s smooth sounds.
An Evening with Michael McDonald benefited CHILDREN AT RISK
and their programs and policies to stop child trafficking.
With Judge Eric Andell at the helm of the Big Board, the
excitement in the air was high. There were dinners at
Fleming’s, Americas, Luncheon at Mo’s…A Place for Steaks,
Kristine Mills in Concert at your home, a Birthday Girl’s
Wish at the Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue
Lunch and Makeovers, and Sports Packages from the Astros and
Texans.
Dr. Carolyn Farb, hc, and Mary Jane Fortin, President & CEO
American General Life Companies, co-chaired the most
successful Gala to date raising a record $375,000. The event
was sold out before the invitations were dropped in the
mail.
“The Verizon was aglow with the incredible energy of this
all embracing crowd who literally stood up to stop child
trafficking,” said Dr. Carolyn Farb, hc. “Trafficking is a
real problem in our city. A child is trafficked somewhere in
the world every two minutes. One out of every three children
who runs away from home becomes a victim within 48 hours.”
Stunning Dominique Sachse, Emmy Award Winning KPRC Local 2
news anchor and reporter, was the emcee, along with Frank
Billingsley, Chief Meteorologist for KPRC Local 2, who
masterfully handled the Live Auction. The exciting Live
Auction was filled with trips—Board Chair David Roylance and
his wife Deborah bought the trip to Australia with
transportation by United Airlines. The Las Vegas package for
four to the Golden Nugget, donated by Paige and Tilman
Fertitta, provided all types of perks including mad money,
limo, dinners, and entertainment. A special home in Park
City was a great retreat for The Bank of River Oaks
President, Mark Troth. Dinner at Tony’s is always divine and
the beautiful Australian baroque pearl necklace and earrings
by
Marie Myers-Bruns went back to Dallas with Pamela and
Ignacio Martin-Duarte.
Guests dined on an exquisite menu prepared by Michael Cordúa
topped off by the famous Tres Leches that all other tres
leches are measured by. Pecan florentine dark chocolate
provided by chocolatier Valerie Gamble at Expressions Fine
Chocolates was a treat for all to take home. In the crowd
was Mary Jane Fortin and husband Rick Clary, Exxon Mobil’s
Bill and Deborah Colton, Jan Duncan with friends Becky and
Bubba Cooke, Senator Leticia Van de Putte and husband Pete,
Author and Musician Kinky Friedman, El Paso’s Bob Baker and
wife Kathy, Lily and Charles Foster, Carolyn and Jimmy
Robertson, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, U.S. Trust’s Mark
Benson and wife Sara, Momentum Jaguar’s Jimmy Olguin and
wife Susan, Vivian and Ben Dugger, Janet and Bob Zincke,
Claudia and Roberto Contreras, ACS, A Xerox Company’s Paul
Wolf and wife Caren, and Kelli Kickerillo and Todd
Forrester.
The Public Policy and Law Center at CHILDREN AT RISK has
created The Center to End Trafficking and Exploitation of
Children, a multi-disciplinary, action-based institute that
works to generate solutions to the human trafficking crisis
through policy, advocacy, education, and collaborate
programs. In the last legislative session, two bills
encompassing 10 human trafficking issues were passed.
For more information, please contact Laura Nelson, Assistant
Director of Development and Communications at 713.869.7740
or
lnelson@childrenatrisk.org .
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