Houston Young Couples Rock Silver Street in a $500,000 Night: Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Has Nothing On This Sweet Party

Following in the footsteps of their predecessors who founded the Children’s Fund back in another century, the 60 young couples that make up the community-minded membership toasted the town with their annual gala that rocked Silver Street Studios.

Since 1972 a continuous tide of philanthropists-in-training have rounded up their friends for a night of six-figure fundraising and high times. Contributing a buoyant beat to the black-tie proceedings was the Party Crashers band, which left the cool climes of Utah for one hot night in Houston.

Themed “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” the party erupted in colorful splash of balloons and candy-coated vestiges from the popular film and, of course, golden eggs. A Willy Wonka facsimile led the night’s fun and at least one guest was also costumed as the endearing character.

The annual bash was a sellout months in advance with more than 800 ponying up the admission and bidding on auction items to help raise more than $500,000 for selected charities. Among the recipients, more than a dozen, are Homemade Hope, Project Joy and Hope, and Blessings in a Backpack, which provides weekend food bags for elementary school children.

In the last five years alone, the group has raised more than $3 million for assorted charities.

Leading the way this year are co-presidents Brooke and Cody Armbrister and co-presidents elect Kaylen and Nick Meserve and gala co-chairs Kate and J.J. Oshins and Whitney and Robert Russell.

Applause, applause for Events by Mary Beth for creative decor and Culinarie Catering for a scrumptious meal.

Merry makers: Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, Liz and David Anders, Lauren and Will Ogilvie, Amy and  Robert Urquhart, Kristie and Kyle Kafka, Deborah and David McGinnes, Lauren and John Strieby, Rory and Beau Bellow, Elena and Jeff Peden, Rachel and Cole Conkling, Jill and Andrew Wright, and Julianna and Scott Moorad.