The Ultimate Mother’s Day Pre-Party Pulls In $1.6 Million

Moms Who Make a Difference Do Major Good

By Shelby Hodge // May 15, 2017

Photography Daniel Ortiz

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The Labrador, named Emmi, gets all the auction attention.

What: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Promise Ball

Where: Hilton Americas-Houston

PC Moment: Following a “Havana Nights” theme, both the gala decor and the menu saluted the ever-friendlier neighbor just 90 miles south of Florida. Julie and Dr. Robin Goytia chaired the evening that honored a covey of ladies, each with a child with Type 1 diabetes. Fittingly honored the night before Mothers Day were Rebecca Brown, Rochelle Bullock, Brooke Busby, Erin Feeney Dyer, Alison Grage Fleming, Annie Marshall, and Mallory Williams.

The evening’s effort earned $1.6 million for JDRF coffers. In addition, longtime volunteer Kathy Stewart was presented with the Meredith and Fielding Cocke Visionary Award.

Skyrocket!, the band, ratcheted up the energy for the party that included live and silent auctions, a mega fund-the-cure ($700,000) appeal, casino games and the magic of Ben Jackson. Just as the early arrivals were winding down, members and guests of the JDRF Young Leadership Committee bounded in for the after-party that included a champagne reception, open bar and late-night dancing.

Who: Charlotte and Barrett Flynn, Monica and Sanjay Patel, Hannah and Rob Rossy, Rochelle Bullock, Meredith and Fielding Cocke, Rob Williams, Lynda Irvine, Chad Knight, Kristin Crawford and Brian Cox, Deana and Eric Becker, Misha and Erik Reissig, Cathy and Tim Doyle, Tristan Nowicki, and Mayra Isais.