Mad Hatter Themed Children's Museum Ball Raises $1 Million

LCA Houston was pleased to attend this year’s Mad Hatter’s Ball hosted by The Children’s Museum of Houston. Held on October 15th, 2016 at the Corinthian in Downtown Houston, this amazing event raised an outstanding $955,000 to benefit the Museum’s educational and outreach programs. Co-chairs Caroline and John Harrell, and Lyndsey and Bret Zorich, helped organize and underwrite the event.

Gala Co-Chairs Truett and Elva Akin and Monica and Greg Meeks

The Mad Hatter theme was in full effect with over 500 guests decked out in their “Wonderland” finest including glorious hats, fascinators, and gowns. Rebekah Johnson (Bergner & Johnson) created a fantasy world setting with magical decorations and classic characters including Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts who danced away on the chessboard-themed dance floor. Attendees enjoyed lobster bisque, herb crusted beef tenderloin medallions over madeira mushroom sauce served with potatoes, turnips and baton carrots, all followed by desserts including earl grey mousse and almond tea cake. The feast was provided by Jackson & Company.

Molly and Matt LaFauci

Chairs Kelly Sklar and Liz Stephens, with auctioneer Jeff Smith, put together stunning silent and live auctions that helped raise funds for the Museum’s programs which added to the night’s phenomenal earnings. Auction items included a Cartier Ballon Blue 36mm stainless steel watch from Deutsch & Deutsch Jewelers. Molly and Matt LaFauci, walked away with the most adorable auction item of the evening in the form of a Labradoodle puppy. Guests also bid on a five-night getaway at The Westin in Rome, tickets to the 59th Annual Grammys, an Astros First Pitch Experience and Diamond Level tickets, tickets to NYC Fashion Week, Houston Texans Road Game Experience, five nights at The Westin Snowmass in Snowmass, CO, and lunch for 20 at Neiman Marcus including 20 pairs of Kendall and Kylie sunglasses.

Many notable Houstonians attended, including Ting and John Bresnahan, Ali and Haydeh Davoudi, Carolyn and Chris Dorros, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Leigh and Chris Joseph, Claudia Kreisle, Jennifer and Chris Laporte, Houston Texans General Manager Rick Smith and wife Tiffany, Krystal Thompson, and Molly and Coert Voorhees.

Museum affiliates included former board president Randy Allen’s daughter, Morgan Allen, and the Blanton family: Claire and Jack Blanton III, Leslie and Jack Blanton and daughters Elizabeth Blanton and Mary Catherine and her husband Bailey Jones. Others in attendance were current Board President Geoff Bracken and wife Shelley, President elect Bill Toomey and wife Courtney, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Lisa and Kevin Barksdale, Kristen and John Berger, Dr. Kelly Coleman, Pam and Stephen Daniel, Julie and Ron Finck, Glen Gonzalez and Steve Summers, Hunt and Allison Harper, Allison Leach, Dottie and Dr. Robert McCallister, Brad and Lauren Morgan, Amy and Zeph Moss, Katherine and Paul Murphy, Winifred and Nicholas Phillips, Mindy and Sean Rice, Rebecca and Sebastien Solar, Anabella and Saul Solomon, and Candace and Brian Thomas.

For almost a quarter of a century, the annual gala has made it possible for the Museum to prepare children to be successful in school and to instill confidence in lifelong learning.

Photo Credit: Alexander Rogers and Gary Maltz