Best Friends Brunch raises more than $100,000 for AniMeals on Wheels

Houston’s elite animal advocates champion the cause at pet fashion show on February 10, 2018 at Hotel ZaZa for Best Friends Brunch for AniMeals, a program of Interfaith Ministries (IM) for Greater Houston that feeds the pets of Meals on Wheels’ homebound seniors.

Susan Boggio, a long-time AniMeals supporter and a champion of animal welfare causes, was this year’s passionate honoree. In fact, before being honored at the masquerade-themed event at Hotel ZaZa, Boggio rushed to rescue a 9-month-old puppy that she read about on Facebook.

More than 200 attended the event, which was chaired by Brigitte Kalai and Sippi Khurana, who were joined by honorary chairs Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust.

After a vegetarian brunch, Kalai, Lundquist and Faust all walked their dogs down a runway as television personality Casey Curry humorously personified the bios of the furry models. All 18 animals – including one super chill feline – were dressed to the nines and had the audience in stitches. Walking her mini chocolate Schnauzer named “Max”, who sported a snazzy black vest, Kalai and her canine companion won top prize in the fashion show as gauged by an applause meter.

As Boggio graciously accepted the 2018 AniMeals on Wheels Champion Award, she emphasized the need for people to extend their generosity to all creatures. “There is so much you learn from being generous,” she said. “There is so much that needs to be done. We can all give more and do more. There is someone who needs you. That’s what makes life worth living.”

Martin B. Cominsky, president and CEO for IM, reminded attendees that AniMeals was established 10 years ago after Meals on Wheels drivers saw their senior clients feed their meals to their pets, not wanting their only companions to go hungry. Ten thousand pounds of pet food each month feeds more than 1,200 dogs and cats, and new programs are transporting seniors’ pets to the vet for vaccinations, microchips, check-ups, medicine and medical procedures.

Friends of our furry friends included : Katherine McNeil, Bret Baccus, Mandy Kao, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Jay Harberg, Ellen Susman, Sidney Faust, Paula Sutton, Charlene Chuang, Shaukat Zakaria and Mrs. Texas Legacy 2018 Jennifer Hennessey, a local veterinarian.