Beautiful Women, Beautiful Fashions and a Beautiful Day Do Not Hide the Serious Mission of This Fundraiser

Roger Clemens and a Congressman Are All In

By Shelby Hodge // May 30, 2018

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Children's Assessment Center Spirit of Spring luncheon

Christian Siriano with one of his fabulous ball gowns

Beautiful women, a beautiful day and beautiful fashions, there just wasn’t much more that the Children’s Assessment Center could ask for during its 19th annual “Spirit of Spring” luncheon, perhaps other than the $320,000 raised for victims of child sex abuse.

The juxtaposition of a glorious fashion show luncheon and the evil of child sexual abuse is always a startling contrast but always one that CAC executive director Elaine Stolte handles with aplomb. The message is never lost even amid the upbeat nature of the fundraiser.

More than 550 women and sprinkling of men contributed to the cause and saluted Congressman Ted Poe, long recognized for his support of CAC and as a proponent of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. He was introduced by baseball great Roger Clemens.

Leading the charge were luncheon chairs Rishma Mohamed, Barbara Steen and Megan Vondra.

Once the serious business was taken care of, luncheon guests were entertained with a marvelous fashion show by Christian Siriano, hosted by Elizabeth Anthony and owner Julie Roberts. As one of the major underwriters of the luncheon, Roberts invited the throng back to her Uptown Park boutique where champagne flowed and Siriano entertained his many adoring fans.

Who: Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, Judge Michael McSpadden, Judge Bill Henderson, fashion show coordinator Ursaline Hamilton, Ericka Bagwell, Diane Caplan, Kelley Lubanko, Kelli Weinzierl, Jordan Seff, Mike Stolte, Rachel Capote Bristow, Rhonda and Mike Graff, and Stephen Lewis, who served as auctioneer.