Friends Uniting to Feed Our Littlest Neighbors!
On Wednesday October 27th, 2021, L.I.F.E. Houston held its 2021 Fall Friends Luncheon at the Junior League of Houston.
This joyous event not only raised awareness about infant food security but also raised nearly $150,000 to help provide free emergency infant formula to new families throughout our community. We truly enjoyed seeing some of our closest friends in person for the first time since 2019.
This incredible event was chaired by John R. Pitts, a founding board member - and longtime supporter - of L.I.F.E. Houston. The invocation was given by The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson of Christ Church Cathedral before lunch was served.
During the luncheon, L.I.F.E. Houston's Executive Director Clara Cooper and Board President Kavon Young, MD presented the Community LIFE-Line Award to well-deserving organizations who went above and beyond to ensure that we filled as many bottles and fed as many babies as possible.
L.I.F.E. Houston was grateful to recognize four amazing partners for their significant support and important work during the COVID-19 pandemic:
The Church of St. John the Divine
Houston Health Department
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
RSM US LLP Houston
Our four honorees ensured that L.I.F.E. Houston provided uninterrupted service to our clients and could continue throughout the coronavirus pandemic, helping us feed an unprecedented 5,189 babies in 2020.
Guest enjoyed a keynote address from Stephen L. Klineberg, PhD, Founding Director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Rice University. Dr. Klineberg captivated the audience with his address on the impact of demographic changes on our city and its families.
After lunch and Dr. Klineberg's address, the Emcee Johnny 'Bravo' Holloway of Johnny Bravo Entertainment led a rousing live auction.
Two lucky winners competed for the highest bid to enjoy a private multi-course dinner in their homes with one of Houston's best young chefs, Kate McLean. As the former executive chef at Tony's, Kate is sure to make this multi-course dinner for six an unforgettable dining experience.
Our other live auction item - the Ultimate Houston Sports Package - includes tickets to see the Astros and the Texans, along with some amazing Houston sports memorabilia, perfect for the ultimate Houston sports fan!
The silent auction featured stays at the Houston Omni Hotel Galleria, the Tremont House in Galveston, Fredericksburg, and a beachfront home in Galveston. The top-selling package was a wide variety of whiskeys, many of which are unavailable in stores. We also featured tea and coffee packages from UENDURE Tea and Java Pura Coffee; some self-care treats from The Motherhood Center and Beautique; and gift cards from Giacomo's Cibo e Vino, Roma Italian Eatery, Niko Niko's, and Seasons 52.
We thank our underwriter and our friends for all their support and we look forward to seeing you next year on October 26, 2022!!
2021 Luncheon Underwriters
Friends in High Places - $10,000
The Paul and Marian Cones Charitable Fund
Teal Holden / Memorial Hermann Health System
John and Bain Pitts
That's What Friends Are For - $7,500
Chris and Leigh Joseph
RSM US LLP / Tommy & Connie Wright
BFF - $5,000
Frost Bank
Dr. Justin and Becky Gregg
Hildebrand Foundation
The Howell Fund
Farzaneh Jafarinosar and Amad Owidi
Gary Pearson / Jim and Gina Pearson
Gayle and Jim Shadowens
Truist Wealth and Gloria & Nick Ryan
$3,000
JC and August Al-Uqdah / Clara Brown Cooper
Community Health Choice
H-E-B
Judy M. and Steven K. Howell
Dustin and Leslie Hunt / IMG Financial Group, Inc.
Frances and Rick Jeter
Alice and Frank McWilliams
Porter Hedges LLP
Dr. Kavon Young / El Centro de Corazon
$1,000
Anonymous
Alissa Bowers
Pierce and Sarabeth Bush
Karen Craig
The Crain Foundation
Dr. Lucy Kormier
Sabrina and Ralph Midkiff
2021 Luncheon Host Committee
JC & August Al-Uqdah Nicole Browning Pierce & Sara Beth Bush Clara Cooper Karen Craig Niculin Herz Teal Holden Dustin & Leslie Hunt Erika Jones Chris & Leigh Joseph Ralph & Sabrina Midkiff Robin Oloyede Gary Pearson Jim & Gina Pearson Kristin Pearson John & Bain Pitts Gloria & Nick Ryan Jim & Gayle Shadowens Tommy & Connie Wright Kavon Young
Clara B. Cooper
Executive Director
Leah Roberts
Development Coordinator
Thank you to our Auction Donors
JC & August Al-Uqdah
Beautique
Bellaire Nature Center
Crayola Experience
Desert Door
Duchman Family Winery
Giacomo's Cibe e Vino
The Grand 1894 Opera House
Gulf Coast Distillers
Dustin Hunt
IMG Financial Group, Inc.
Java Pura
Maida's Belts & Buckles
Kate McLean
Kolache Factory
The Menil Collection
Messina Hof Winery
Michael Martinez Fine Portraits
The Motherhood Center
The Center
Niko Niko's
The Omni Hotel Houston Galleria
Gary Pearson
Kristin Pearson
ROMA Italian Eatery
Saint Arnold
San Antonio Zoo
Seasons 52
Spec's
The Tremont House
True Anomaly
Uchi / Uchiko
UENDURE Tea Company
Vicky Wight