Houston Kids With Parents in Jail Get Vital Help From No More Victims Program

This Luncheon Sets a Record for Good

By Shelby Hodge // Apr 8, 2019

Photography Daniel Ortiz

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Darrell & Caren Rosenthal, Pat Chanon, Franelle Rogers, Joelle Rogers at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Benjamin Berg, Lou Savarese at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Ken Wells, Marilyn Gambrell, Dr. Chris Greeley, Rob Wisner at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Ericka Bagwell, Jeff Stern at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Sheriff Ed Gonzales, Ileana Treviño at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Genene Turndorf, Arlene Levy, Jennifer Levy at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Donae & Rob Chramosta at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Chuck Brown, Dr. John Share at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Marilyn Gambrell, Regina Rogers at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon at the Junior League of Houston. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Dena Magelssen, Sara Samet at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Ronnie Wilbanks, Sharon Dreyer, Bettty Hemus, Robert Sakowitz at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Lynda Transier, Heidi Rockecharlie, Terrie Hogan Turner at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Greg & Laura Jeckovich, Stephen Lewis at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Franelle Rogers, Dominique Sachse at the Cherish Our Children International luncheon. (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

What: Cherish Our Children International (COCI)third annual luncheon

Where: The Junior League of Houston

PC Moment: The gathering of more than 330 was held at rapt attention during the discussion of No More Victims, COCI’s program, which is established in three Houston high schools thus far, to help teens whose parents are in jail. On stage to discuss the benefits of and need for No More Victims were the program’s founder Marilyn Gambrell; Dr. Chris Greeley, director of the child abuse pediatrics program at Texas Children’s Hospital, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez; and Khalilah Campbell, Worthing High School principal. A video featuring teenagers of incarcerated parents who have gone through the No More Victims program brought home the life-changing help it provides.

The luncheon honored Benjamin Berg as Spirit of Community honoree, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church as Spirit of Ministry Honoree, the Texas Bar Foundation as Spirit of Advocacy Honoree, and Arlene Levy as Heart of COCI Award honoree.

Thanks to the efforts of chairs Franelle Rogers and Caren and Darrell Rosenthal and host committee chair Heidi Rockecharlie, the event set a record, raising more than $206,000 for the No More Victims program.

PC Seen: Maureen Hackett, Joelle Rogers, Sheri Roane, Cathy Brock, Carol Hunton, Candyce Rylander, Donae and Rob Chramosta, Ericka Bagwell, Jack Rains, Lou Savarese, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Alistair Dawson, Ileana Treviño, Robert Sakowitz, Lynda Transier, Susan Osterberg, Terrie Turner, Nicholas Rockecharlie, and the Rev. Gary Lillibridge.