They rocked. They Rolled. And they raised an unprecedented $3 million for Sky High for Kids during the “Boots Are Better” festivities that included a sporting clays competition at the Greater Houston Gun Club and a Western-themed gala at The Revaire.
The levity of the evening was punctuated by moments of gravity as Sky High for Kids Cancer Warriors took the mic intermittently to talk about their journey and their gratitude for the work of the nonprofit. But the emotional zinger was when 5-year-old Ledger Robertson rang his end-of-treatment bell on stage before the gathering of more than 700.
The youngster was diagnosed a year ago with brain cancer, that diagnosis coming one year and one week after his father died of brain cancer. Sharing that heart shattering experience was Ledger’s mother Haley Robertson. It was a moment for cheers as well as tears.
Leading the night and guaranteeing that there was plenty of positivity amid the gravity were gala chairs Erica Parker, the Sky High Young Professionals president, and Lindsey Boatman, the Sky High Young Professionals vice president.
Former Sky High board member Taylor Sass served as emcee with his main duty introducing honorees Shelley and Brett Pennington, who last year made a transformative $2 million gift to Sky High for Kids to advance immunotherapy research. Sass revealed that in the wake of the gift the reception lobby at Texas Children’s Cancer Immunotherapy Center on the Sky High for Kids Patient Floor has been named in the Penningtons’ honor.
Contributing to the remarkable bottom line were the silent and live auctions the latter of which saw an impressive $340,000 bid on a single item. That was for a hunting experience at CJ4 Ranch with country singer-songwriter Parker McCollum. Must-have items included a 30-person chef dinner at Lucchese from top Houston chefs Drake Leonards and Leonard Botello IV, and an 8.55-carat Colombian emerald ring donated by Shaftel Diamonds.
The auction was conducted in the delightfully lively fashions of Sky High for Kids founder and CEO Brittany Hebert Franklin.
“This event was truly special, not only because of the record-breaking crowd and money raised, but because of the continued growth and support behind our mission,” Franklin says. “Each year, we are reminded of the power of this community, and every dollar raised brings us closer to ensuring that no child fights cancer alone.”
Closing out the night, Trill Burgers personnel handed out its wildly popular burgers as everyone headed home.
PC Seen: Senator Ted Cruz and wife Heidi Cruz, Leonard and Abbie Botello, Logan Lester, Iris and Danny Shaftel, Disney and Max Harris, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Kristen Cannon, Deborah Duncan, Chita and Lane Craft, Molly Mead, Michelle Reyna, Dr. Sheena Garner, Jentry Kelley, Dr. Mackenzi Mcaffee-Dooley, and Michele and Youval Meicler with Texas Mattress Makers and Living Designs Furniture.