Houston’s Most Important Army Raises $830,000 in One Grand Day

What: The Salvation Army 23rd annual luncheon

Where: River Oaks Country Club

PC Moment: It was indeed a red letter day for the Salvation Army when a packed ballroom of more than 400 helped raise more than $830,000 for the army’s housing, emergency shelter, rehabilitation, disaster relief, social services and Christmas assistance programs.

The A-list, old guard turnout was in no small part due to the luncheon honorees — Lilly and Thurmon Andress, who have for decades spread their philanthropic wings across the Houston landscape. Organizations enriched by the couple’s altruistic bent have included Small Steps Nurturing Center, the Good Samaritan Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Texas Children’s Hospital.

Singularly, Lilly’s primary focus has been the Salvation Army for which she has served as chair of the advisory board. She has been hands-on in the Salvation Army Auxiliary, helping found the Houston chapter along with Ann Bookout.

Bookout, herself an auxiliary honoree and longtime Salvation Army supporter, introduced the much-loved couple. Both Bookout and Lilly Andress have been instrumental through the years in the success of the auxiliary’s Reflections on Style spring fundraiser.

Guest speaker was author, philanthropist and energy exec Terry Looper, CEO and founder of Texon LP. He spoke on his experiences leading up to writing of his book  Sacred Pace, Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will, which was published last February. Looper shared his personal faith journey and the importance of philanthropy and living according to God’s will

PC Seen: Luncheon chairs Holly and Tom Forney, plus John Bookout, Penny and John Butler, Judy and Charles Tate, Sue Whitfield, Regina Rogers, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Cynthia Allshouse, Jenny Elkins, Elise Joseph, Mary Katherine and John Roff, Susan and Dr. Dick Stasney, Ginger Blanton, Alice and Risher Randall Jr., Beth and Jeff Early, Steve Strake, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wally Wilson, Gary Petersen, Marti Phillips, Judi McGee, Betty and John Hrncir, and emcee Deborah Duncan.