Glamour, Glitz and Gorgeous Ball Gowns Dazzle at the ABC 13 Winter Ball
2020 ABC13 Women of Distinction - Photo by Daniel Ortiz
Over 550 guests gathered on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Hilton Americas for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation 2020 Winter Ball, Warm Friends on a Winter Night, chaired by Lesha Elsenbrook and Bobbie Nau, and Honorary Chairmen Sidney Faust and Cora Sue Mach. The Winter Ball was the culminating event presenting the 2020 ABC13 Women of Distinction raising over $800,000.
Every year The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Winter Ball honors 10 Women of Distinction and one Ambassador who have supported the community through volunteerism. This year’s honorees were Cheryl Byington, Zane Carruth, Theresa Chang, Elsie Eckert, Myrtle Jones, Brigitte Kalai, Kelley Lubanko, Joy McCormack, Hannah McNair, and Mary Tere Perusquia and Betty Hrncir, the 2020 Ambassador. Honored Heroes Marni Goldman, Blake Hicks, Faith Stuchly and Ambassador, Caitlin Rowley shared their stories and journeys with Crohn’s disease, demonstrating the importance of the funds raised at the event. The evening was led by emcee Tom Koch of ABC13.
The high-energy crowd started the evening mingling and bidding on unique auction items at the cocktail party sponsored by BB&T/SunTrust (now Truist). The dance floor was packed to the sounds of Hybrid-7 with the after-party sponsored by H-E-B. The evening was flawlessly orchestrated by event producers Ellie Francisco and Niki Smith.
Other notables in attendance: Tony Bradfield, Foundation Board President Kevin Carter and his wife Jaqulyn, Wendy and John Granato, Shelby Hodge and Shafik Rifaat, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Donna and Norman Lewis, Winell and Doug Herron, Sharon Owens, Susan and Edward Osterberg, Brock Wagner, Beth Madison, Beth Wolff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Amanda and Terry Boffone, Hallie Vanderhider, Cheryl and Percy Creuzot, Ed McMahon, Gayla and Donald Gardner, Development Director Ursula Washington and Executive Director Leigh Ellen Key, Joanna and Brad Marks, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Shawntell McWilliams, Kelli and John Weinzierl, Shawn and Vivian Luna, Matt and Wendy Kovich, Kathy and Mark Crosby, Anita Sehgal, Chris and Catherine Rowley, Marcia and Dr. Keith Fiman, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Donna Tyler, and Rita and Nabil Joubran.
LCAHouston Host/ Founder Ruchi Mukherjee was there to cover the gala for the tenth year capturing some interviews from the Winter Ball Red carpet. Watch the video story here:
