Houston High Rollers Go All In For This Casino Night With a Heart

Raising $700,000 For the Ronald McDonald House

By Shelby Hodge // Oct 18, 2021

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Bridget & JB Brennan, Chelsea Partain, Ryan Haney at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Dave & Karen Smith, Cristina Vetrano, Debbie & Ozzie Bauer (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Honorees Lesha & Tom Elsenbrook at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Photo by Dave Rossman photo)

Ingrid & Michael Carrasco at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Maria & Neil Bush at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Brian & Katie Patterson (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Cyndy Garza Roberts, Hallie Vanderhider (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Emily Crosswell spins the wheel at the gaming table (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Erin & Shane Kimzey at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Gretchen & Ken Sheirr, Paige Fertitta at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Madeleine and Larry Hanrahan at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Tom Bauer, Paul Bauer, Robert Bauer (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Suzanne & Mark Clevenger at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Teresa & Martijn Van Oort at the 'All in for the House' gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center (Dave Rossman photo)

Stuart & GayeLynnZarrow at the All in for the House gala benefitting the Ronald McDonald House at the Bayou City Events Center Thursday Oct 14 ,2021. (Dave Rossman photo)

What: Ronald McDonald House Houston “All in for the House” gala

Where: Bayou City Events Pavilion

PC Moment: Better late than never as the gala, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed for a year thanks to COVID-19 worries. And rather than filling the ballroom with the 300 partygoers, organizers opted for the open-air pavilion. As luck would have it, the casino-themed evening nudged at $700,000, a testament to the efforts of chairs Debbie and Ozzie Bauer and Karen and David Smith as well as a tribute to the honorees, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, longtime supporters of Ronald McDonald House Houston.

The night enjoyed a Vegas vibe with gaming tables, a Dean Martin look-alike crooning Rat Pack hits, and Sean Beck’s bourbon tasting for those interested in sampling rare whiskeys. The latter was particularly popular with the gents. Contributing to the fundraising were the bourbon pull and the Quarter Slots raffle in which guests could spin the wheel and earn a surprise gift bag from either Tootsies or Tenenbaum.

PC Seen: Ronald McDonald House Houston CEO Cristina Vetrano, Paige Fertitta, Mady and Ken Kades, Maria and Neil Bush, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Seliece and Lee Womble, Dr. Susan Blaney, Emma and Seth Elsenbrook, Evan Elsenbrook, Allison and Dan Connally, Cyndy Garza Roberts and Thomas Roberts, and Ruth and Charles Pulido.