Masked Ball Makes Real Life Cinderella Tale Come to Life in Houston

When Hiding Your Identity is Half the Fun

By Shelby Hodge // Jun 6, 2019

Photography Chris Bailey Photography

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Stefanie Carper, Kate Oshins, Amanda Ollison, Julie Cotuno, Kaylen Meserve, Katy Miller, Annie Apel, Bree Blais at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Scott & Julianna Moorad, Kaylen & Nick Meserve, Elena & Jeff Peden at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Dominique Sage, Lauren Pugh at The Children's Fund gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Matthew & Margaret Born, Sarah & Carey Ford at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

President-elects Beau & Rory Bellow at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Applause, applause at The Children's Fund gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Ellen & William Peeples at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Caroline Peters, Christine Hoffer, Nadine Boutros, Julianna Moorad at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

David & Tanya Smalling at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Guests at The Children's Fund gala are invited to mask-up for the party. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Cynthia Mabry, Christine Transier, Emily Perry at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Natalie Landry, Bekah Gorder at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Alex & Juana Leon, Tricia & Lee Zieben at The Children's Fund gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Whitney Russell, Kaylen Meserve, Liz Mayberry, Kelly Horton at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

James & Jennifer Wallis at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Wyatt & Lauren McCulloch at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

Nick Meserve, JJ Oshins, Colton Braud at The Children's Fund Gala. (Photo by Chris Bailey Photography)

What: The Children’s Fund gala

Where: The Post Oak Hotel

PC Moment: So many partygoers among the 800 up and coming movers and shakers donned a mask for “Cinderella’s Masquerade Ball,” which netted more than $700,000. Applause, applause for gala chairs Julianna and Scott Moorad and Elena and Jeff Peden and Children’s Fund presidents Kaylen and Nick Meserve. Even the bartenders and wait staff disguised their identities with masks.

Guests could purchase a glittering mask from the Mask Wall or have one painted on their faces by talented artists.

Part of the themed fun was the rollicking collection of characters making the scene including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the evil stepsisters and royal trumpeters. The fundraising action included the sale of bottles of Veuve Cliquot for $1,000 each (that effort raising $19,000) and a playful game of Heads or Tails, which earned $18,000 and served as an energetic start to the live auction.

Fifteen child-oriented charities, including Local Infant Formula for Emergencies, Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack and Brazoria County Alliance for Children, will receive funds from the evening. Representatives from each of the nonprofits gathered on stage and presented an original poem focusing on their missions.

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And then there was dancing to the sounds of the Emerald City Band from Dallas.

PC Seen: Presidents-elect Rory and Beau Bellow, plus Ellen and William Peeples, Margaret and Matthew Born, Sarah and Carey Ford, Tricia and Lee Zieben, Juana and Alex Leon, Jennifer and James Wallis, Lauren and Wyatt McCulloch, and Tanya and David Smalling.