Stand by Me: Michael Bolton and Angie Harmon stood tall at the 4th Annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: UNICEF Ambassador Honoree Angie Harmon accepts the Spirit of Compassion Award at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
It has been quite the tradition to spot A-List celebrities in Houston. On Wednesday May 24, 2017 Houston rolled out the red carpet for the 4th Annual Audrey Hepburn Society Ball at the Marriott Marquis. The gala celebrates UNICEF‘s life saving work for children around the world and honor outstanding humanitarians that make this possible. And this was most certainly a star studded gala.
The event, emceed by Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan and featuring a special performance by Michael Bolton, celebrated UNICEF’s lifesaving work and honored UNICEF Ambassador and actor Angie Harmon with the Spirit of Compassion Award. Since her appointment as a UNICEF Ambassador in 2013, Angie has served as a spokesperson for UNICEF USA’s End Trafficking Initiative and has traveled to Vietnam to bring awareness to UNICEF’s lifesaving programs for children. Guests were mesmerized by a moving performance from multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Michael Bolton, who sang his hit classic “When a Man Loves a Woman” and a cover of “Stand by Me.” It was a emotional evening for Angie Harmon who had no idea that her daughters would present her with the award. She was found wiping her tears with joy and delight. She spoke to the audience the the significance of giving back and that sex trafficking is a serious issue and she would not stop till it ends. Angie Harmon, Recipient of the Spirit of Compassion Award said: “It’s such an honor to be accepting this award here tonight and to have my daughters present it to me is just such a highlight in my life. What makes UNICEF so powerful is everyone working towards the same goal. UNICEF succeeds because across all nations, all political affiliations, all regions, all countries, we want children to live full and healthy lives. I’m honored to think of the words of Audrey Hepburn who said as you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one that is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others. We can all make a difference in this world because amazing changes are truly possible.”
LCAHouston had the honor to speak to Michael Bolton who shared: “I’m really happy to hear that UNICEF is stepping up to fight human trafficking. It’s not that there wasn’t enough reason already. UNICEF helps more children than any organization on earth and feed them, educate them and provide for them.” Bolton also expressed his desire to perform in India and, “I absolutely love A. R. Rehman,” shares Michael.
Rosanette and Harry Cullen were presented with the Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award for their extraordinary contributions to the causes of children, health and education in the city of Houston and the state of Texas through the Cullen Foundation. Since 1947, the Cullen Foundation has distributed over $450 million in grants to support education and health care initiatives – notably at the University of Houston and at hospitals in the Texas Medical Center – as well as the cultural arts and many other causes.
Over the course of the evening, guests enjoyed remarks from Mayor Sylvester Turner, Managing Director of Southwest Region for UNICEF USA Nelson Bowman, Chair of Southwest Regional Board Susan Boggio and Gala Chair of the Audrey Hepburn Society Ball Amy Pierce.
More than 450 guests attended the gala raising more than $910,000, which will support UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children around the world. Notable attendees included Mayor Sylvester Turner, Margaret Alkek Williams, The Honorable Joanne King Herring, Jerry Ann Woodfin Costa and Victor Costa, and Princess Tatiana Galitzine and Prince Guillermo Sierra.
Honorary Chairs for the gala include Molly and Jim Crownover, Karin and Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Princess Maria-Anna Galitzine and Prince Piotr Galitzine, the Honorable Joanne King Herring, Dr. Sippi Khurana and Ajay Khurana, Penny and Paul Loyd, Beth Madison, and Susan and Fayez Sarofim. Gala Chairs include Sofia Adrogué, Sten L. Gustafson, Jerry Ann Woodfin Costa and Victor Costa, Amy and Rob Pierce, Princess Tatiana Galitzine and Guillermo Sierra.
Live action packages included a custom Victor Costa gown, Nini Jewels “Royale Collection” earrings weighing 47 carats from Saks Fifth Avenue which was scored by Ajay Khurana for his wife Sippi, an intimate concert experience by GRAMMY Award Winner Ana María Martínez was generously taken by Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, and a luxurious vacation in a private house with personal chef in San Miguel, Mexico.
Amongst the glamorous attendees were: Nidhika and Pershant Mehta, Jag Gill, Ned and Mehrnaz Gill, Becca Cason Thrash, Brigitte Kalai in a stunning maroon Rubin Singer off the runway custom made gown, Margaret Alkek Williams, Rania Mankarious, Stephanie Von Stein, and Beth Wolff.
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: UNICEF Ambassador honoree Angie Harmon and singer Michael Bolton at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: UNICEF Ambassador honoree Angie Harmon with Ajay and Dr. Sippi Khurana at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: UNICEF Ambassador Honoree Angie Harmon accepts the Spirit of Compassion Award at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Finley Faith Sehorn, UNICEF Ambassador honoree Angie Harmon, Emery Hope Sehorn and Avery Grace Sehorn at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Gala Committee Member Dan Boggio and Gala Committee Board Chair Southwest Region UNICEF USA Susan Boggio at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Singer Michael Bolton performs onstage at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Gala Chairs Guillermo Sierra and Princess Tatiana Galitzine at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner speaks at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Honoree Rosanette Cullen (R) accepts the Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award from Gala Committee Presenter Margaret Alkek Williams and CDO & EVP of UNICEF USA Barron Segar at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: The Honorable Joanne King Herring Honorary Chair at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)
