Record-Breaking $3 Million Gala is Powered by a Surprise Anonymous Gift: Hospital’s $500 Million Centennial Campaign Gets a Nice Jump Start

What: Houston Methodist “Rendezvous: Live Young” gala

Where: The Hilton Americas-Houston

PC Moment: The biennial fundraising gala was already on its way to phenomenal success, thanks in part to sponsorship by Ambassador Hushang Ansary and his wife, Shahla, and by Vizient, when an anonymous benefactor made a gift in honor of honorary chairs Janet and Ernest Cockrell that would take proceeds to the $3 million mark. With that number and with 1,400 in attendance, the evening surpassed the record of all previous galas.

Leading the successful celebration were chairs Claudia and Roberto Contreras and Lisa and Josh Oren. They were in the spotlight along with the three honorees  — Paula and Rusty Walter; the Jerold B. Katz Foundation, which in April announced a $21 million gift to the Houston Methodist Research Institute; and Freeport LNG, represented by CEO Michael Smith.

Joining in the program, led by emcee Dominique Sachse, were Houston Methodist Research Institute board chair Mark Houser, institute president and CEO Dr. Mauro Ferrari, Houston Methodist president and CEO Dr. Marc Boom, and Houston Methodist board chair Greg Nelson. Joining in the program was philanthropist Elizabeth Wareing, who announced “Leading Medicine to the Power of M, the Campaign for Our Second Century.” The $500 capital million campaign will lead Houston Methodist into its second century that will be celebrated in 2019.

HSPVA’s Young Performers entertained guests before DJ Crykit of Las Vegas moved the celebration into high gear with his spectacle of laser lights and music. The dance floor gyrated with guests waving day glow bracelets and cheer sticks in the air.

Movers and shakers: Stephanie and Ernie Cockrell, Estela and David Cockrell, Emily and Holcombe Crosswell, Allie and Jay Fields, Debbie Hurwitz, Maria Bush, Libbie and Greg Nelson, Connie Dyer, Carole and Jim Looke, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Sarah and Duncan Underwood, Caroline and Jeremy Finkelstein, Steven Arnold, Sue Smith, and Brandy and Ron Wilson.