Masked Ball Makes Real Life Cinderella Tale Come to Life in Houston
When Hiding Your Identity is Half the Fun
BY Shelby Hodge // 06.06.19Stefanie 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)
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.
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.