The Wortham Foyer at The 2nd Annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball Presented the Inauguaral Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award to the McNairs
It was a spectacular evening, as many of Houston’s most stylish came together at the Wortham Theatre for the Second Annual Audrey Hepburn Ball that raised over $1.4 million for UNICEF and its special effort to fund the battle against the Ebola virus. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF hosted the evening recently that brought to Houston, once again, Audrey’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, together with Houston’s finest, most beautifully gowned and jeweled women and men as they paid tribute to this amazing woman of great style and philanthropy. All were there also to honor two extraordinary philanthropists, Janice and Bob McNair, that were receiving the inaugural Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award.
The McNairs received this award for their generous gifts to a wide array of causes which improve children’s lives. Margaret Alkek Williams, who received this award for the first time in 2013 presented her namesake award to the Honorees. Emcee was the voice of the Texans, Mark Vandermeer for an evening that included, in addition to the opulent décor and fine dining provided by Tony’s catering in the Wortham foyer were invited to an after-dinner performance in the Cullen Theatre. There all were treated to musical performances by the Treble Childrens Choir of Houston, soprano Nancy Curtis and Grammy winning, jazz singer, Oleta Adams. In addition, a heart warming video tribute to the McNairs followed the plea by UNICEF to give generously to their efforts to support much needed funds to fight this deadly Ebola virus that is threatening so many lives. UNICEF has taken the position of the leading organization to conduct a life-saving awareness campaign as well as provide supplies and other equipment to support the relief effort. Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, pledged a matching fund up to $3.2 million to boost this cause.
It was a beautifully elegant evening thanks to Chairs, Cal and Hannah McNair, Alicia and Lance Smith, Penny and Paul Lloyd, Tiffany and Rick Smith and Honorary chair, Beth Madison.
Chair Cal McNair, Margaret Alkek Williams, Janice and Bob McNair
Barron Segar, Senior Vice President, Development, UNICEF, with Margaret Alkek Williams, and Chair Alicia and Lance Smith
Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Margaret Alkek Williams, Jim Daniel and Karen Hofer
Frances Marzio, Cal and Hannah McNair
Bob and Janice McNair, Hannah and Cal McNair
Monica Williams-Davis, Local Regional Director for UNICEF and Ann Holmes, Southwest Regional Board Chairperson, UNICEF
Susan Boggio and Barbara Van Postman; Honorary Chair Beth Madison and Bill King; Bill and Joann Crassas
Allison and Stephen Lewis (Evening Auctioneer) and Donae and Rob Chramosta; Karen Hofer, wife of Sean Ferrer, Chair, Penny Loyd and Honorary Chair Sean Hepburn Ferrer
Ned and Mehrnaz Gill and Bruce Padilla; Phoebe Tudor, Deborah Duncan, Chair, Alicia and Lance Smith
Love this shot…Shelby Hodge and Shafik Rifaat….a perfect ending to a lovely evening!
photos of courtesy of Kim Coffman, Getty Images