Photo credit: Priscilla Dickson

The 7th Annual Women of Substance Luncheon on Wednesday, November 1 at the Post Oak Hotel raised more than $500,000.  

Creator and Producer, Paul-David Van Atta rallied the more than 420 guests to their seats with a welcome and opening remarks and then resigned his efforts to gain the crowd’s attention to Reverend Mary Gracely, 2022 Spirit of Substance Honoree, who delivered her precise and moving words to a then silent and attentive crowd.  Van Atta then presented her with a bouquet of roses and thanked her for her seventh year in this role, which is a mandatory component of the event.

Valet Parking was Underwritten by the Gregg Harrison Law Firm and David Batagower,  Broker Associate of Compass Real Estate.  This allowed guests more time to participate in the  Champagne Raffle Reception for a chance to win one of two prizes that included a “Triumvirate” of the world’s finest champagne – a 2012 Roederer Cristal Vintage, 2013 Dom Perignon and Krug Brut Rose, donated by Ajay and Sippi Khurana with a pair of Chateau Baccarat Flutes generously donated by Jennifer Falasca of Baccarat Houston; and as a runner-up prize, a  $2,000 gift certificate to Renew Body Contouring and MedSpa donated by Kat Kearns.

Co-Emcees,  KHOU Channel 11 Great Day Houston Host Deborah Duncan and Houston Public Media’s famed Ernie Manouse then took the wheel and introduced extraordinary Co-Chairs Sippi Khurana, MD and Amy Pierce (both former Women of Substance)  before acknowledging top donors:  Presenting Sponsor, The Mach Family consisting of Cora Sue Mach, Lifetime of Substance Honoree and her extensive family and myriad of friends, Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Amy and Rob Pierce, Dylan and Jordan Seff,  Stephanie Tsuru, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Laura and Ned Davenport, Memorial Hermann, April and Wells McGee, Susan D. Sarofim, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross and Rini and Edward Ziegler. 

Spirit of Substance Honoree Eileen Lawal was presented with the trademark award for this honor, an original Angel Glass Sculpture created by famed Houston Glass Artist Bill Meek.  This was followed by honors to Lifetime of Substance Honoree Cora Sue Mach, whose accolades were not delivered by emcees but by 2022 Lifetime Honoree and best friend Sidney Faust.  This was a touching moment as Faust remembered the early years when Houston’s elite fundraisers said, “Who is this Mach woman?”. She ended with a recollection of Cora Sue and late husband Harry’s contributions by stating, “no one asks that question now!”  Cora Sue and Sidney, noted as the dynamic duo, have done more for Houston than one could begin to fathom. In fact, just a week ago, they hosted their 23rd Annual Halloween gathering and Toy Drive benefiting Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center patients.  It was their largest and most successful one to date!

Houston reVision CEO Charles Rotramel shared the vision and mission of the nonprofit beneficiary and thanked supporters, expressing sincere gratitude for being named the beneficiary of all event proceeds for the next three years.  The fundraising that followed is strong indication that Houston reVision is a great choice! 

Rotramel said: “I am profoundly humbled and grateful for the support of the Houston philanthropic community and for the attendance of Henry Gonzales, Executive Director of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, his executive team, and the esteemed juvenile court judges at the Women of Substance fundraising event. The proceeds from this event will be invaluable in helping Houston reVision continue to help justice-involved and unstably housed youth connect with mentors, positive peers, and life-changing resources.

On behalf of the Houston reVision team, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Paul-David Van Atta and the Women of Substance for their generosity and commitment to making a difference in the lives of our young people. Together, we can see the inherent potential of disconnected youth and work to empower them to revise, create, and choose hopeful pathways.”

The 2023 Women of Substance were then elegantly presented amidst a backdrop of their Pop-Art, WARHOL style portraits photographed by GITTINGS under the leadership of Andrew Cordes. Special thanks to Announcement Reception hostess Heidi Turney, General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue for supplying this exhibit in tandem with Gittings.  Women of Substance included: Gina Bhatia, Laura Davenport, Elsie Eckert, Debbie Festari, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Kathy Givens, April McGee, Jordan Seff, Elizabeth Stein, Paula Sutton, Stephanie Tsuru and Rini Ziegler. 

All honorees had their fan base in the audience, but no one did it better than those supporting April McGee.  They raised cut out images of her beautiful face as she was announced and erupted in cheers of joyous praise and adoration! Disruptive and delicious!  

A special vocal performance by fourteen-year-old St. Francis student Shaan Khurana singing “You Raise Me Up” proved a highlight!  Supported by a fabulous group of musicians and a trio of back-up singers provided by Richard Brown Music, this huge song was well-executed with not a dry eye in the house! Van Atta then surprised this talented young man with the inaugural Youth of Substance Award, noting that Shaan actually introduced Houston reVision as the potential beneficiary after learning of their programs through his involvement with the Youth Giving Circle program led by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Kimberly Palma then provided a moving testimonial on how Houston reVision came to her aid when she was without the basic necessities, helping her to get housing, a driver’s license, and eventually enrolling in college starting with her mentor meeting her at a Greyhound bus stop. Incarcerated at a young age, she was released after time served to find that her mother had passed away. And she never had the support of a father.  She was all alone.  She said: “Because of reVision, I literally started seeing my downward spiral of life turn to an upward spiral. From there, reVision connected me with programs so I could start college, connected me with AmeriCorps and also soccer leagues, which I am grateful for: and we are really good!  I now attend Houston Community College and am working on my associates of science in order to pursue my dream of being a marine biologist.”

The Appeal was led by co-chairs Khurana and Pierce and included a risky ask of $20,000 for emergency housing for one year.  A big number at a luncheon, yet satisfied three times by supporters Ajay Khurana, Honoree Jordan Seff and the lovely Melissa Juneau!  Khurana was the first to respond to which Amy Pierce exclaimed, “Sippi, your husband just bought a house!” 

Next was a $10,000 opportunity to support the creation of a Girls Soccer Team.  Women of Substance attendees obviously loved this idea and again an ambitious number garnered three supporters:  Andrea Bryant, Bobbie Nau, and former Woman of Substance Susan Boggio.

Last was a $10,000 Match Grant Challenge from the Barrington Foundation!  Rather than elongate an already long program, guests were directed to QR Codes on their tables to contribute.  Penny Loyd cut the challenge in half with a $5,000 contribution.  The end result is that the match was met and then some!

A competitive live auction led by handsome newlywed Bill King raised additional funds for offerings of a David Peck $1000 gift certificate towards a custom gown purchased by Amy Pierce; a $3,250 Valentino Rockstud Luxury Shoulder Bag donated by Saks Fifth Avenue was a must have for Honoree April McGee; a “Warholesque” 24 x 30 Pop-Art Portrait compliments of Gittings added to the coffers; an authentic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 34 in stainless steel donated by Donae Chramosta of the Vintage Contessa went to Monica Fulton for $5,500; and a dream vacation to Martha’s Vineyard for six nights in a private home, two hotels vouchers and airfare, which went twice! This stunning home generously donated by Gregg Harrison of the Gregg Harrison Law Firm with an anticipated value of $10,000 garnered two lucky bidders:  Andrea Bryant and Wade Upton at $13,000 each!  Each includes round-trip airfare donated by Amy and Rob Pierce and hotel accommodations by Paul-David Van Atta.

Guests enjoyed a menu of Grilled Radicchio Caesar Salad, Airline Chicken Chasseur with Haricot Verts and Herb Potato Mash, followed by Chocolate Mousse Praline Crème Brulee Cocoa Nib Sponge Cake.

The tables were adorned with centerpieces of giant roses masterfully arranged by Nino Shbeeb and the staff of Flowers by Nino.

Houston reVision is a community of kinship, connecting caring adult volunteers, case managers, mental health professionals, and faith communities with disconnected youth. reVision is situated in the Gulfton neighborhood of Houston, which is the most densely populated area in Texas. It is also home to the highest number of refugees and immigrants compared to other places in the United States. Referrals to the program come from partner agencies–Houston ISD, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and others in the community. As the primary partner of Harris County Juvenile Probation, Houston reVision has contributed to the steep decline of youth incarcerated in Harris County since the inception of reVision in 2011. 

Supporters in attendance included: 

Kelly Anzilotti, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Philamena Baird, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, David Batagower, Cheryl and Bill King, Susan Boggio, Donna Chapman, Donae Chramosta, Andrew Cordes, Dr. Yvonne Cormier, Bobby Dees, Suzan Deison, Suzanne Ebrahimi, CC and Duke Ensell, Sidney Faust, Tena Faust, Elaine Finger, Maria Anna Galitizine,  Gayla Gardner, Diane Gendel, Barry Goldware, Vicki Grams, Gregg Harrison, Hillary Hart, Betty and John Hrncir, Marla Hurley, Mady Kades, Brigitte Kalai, Ajay Khurana, Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy, Connie Kwan-Wong, Nicole Lassiter, Dina Lawal, Kase Lawal, Marie LeNotre, Frann Lichtenstein, Renee Logans, Penny Loyd, Kelly Lubanko, Tama Lundquist, Carmen and Butch Mach, Joella and Steve Mach, Lenny Matazewski, Marian McClendon, Flo McGee, Wells McGee, Melissa Mithoff, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Denise Monteleone, Bobbie Nau, Kechi Okwuchi, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, Perri Palermo, David Peck, Warner Roberts, Heidi Rockecharlie, Regina Rogers, Dominique Sachse, Jacob Stein, Laura Stein, Stacey Swift, Ileana Trevino, Frank Tsuru, Elaine Turner, Betty Tutor, Astrid Van Dyke, Barbara Van Postman, Hallie Vanderhider, Phyllis Williams, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, John and Penelope Wright, Edward Ziegler, Sherri Zucker, Judge Leah Shapiro, Houston reVision CEO Charles Rotramel, Judge Michelle Moore, Judge Natalia Cokinos Oaks and Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Assistant Executive Director Dr. Matt Shelton.

Giving Levels are named for Barbara Taylor Bradford’s best-selling novels

Click the link below to continue to donate to this cause!

You may reach reVision’s Event Planner, Terri Thorne, by cell phone (707) 799-1303.

If you prefer to pay by check, please make it payable to Houston reVision and send it to our office at 6856 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77074

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