 |
| Gigi Huang, Andy Delary, Tom and Brenda Koch (Photo credit: Gary Fountain) |
KTRK 13 anchors and management showed up in support for the Annual Joyful Toyful Fiesta (JTF) at Gigi’s Asian Bistro in early December.
Master of Ceremony and Auctioneer Tom Koch up’d the ante for a 18K white and yellow gold and diamond necklace donated I.W. Marks, a VIP trip to Las Vegas provided by Paige and Tilman Fertitta, a dinner party aboard a vintage train provided by Patrick Henry Creative, an exclusive vacation getaway to the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico Donated by Mariette and Ron Woestemeyer, and a celebrity wine dinner with Channel 13’s Chef Tom Koch and wine connoisseur Fred Wahrlich.
More than 200 of Santa’s elves donated toys and treasure - doubling toys donations and raising more than $140,000. The multi-course dinner was underwritten by Gigi Huang, and chaired by Brenda and Tom Koch. Guests were treated to a performance by the Our Lady of Guadalupe School choir, a special visit from St. Nick himself, cigars from Chip Hight of Hight Cigars and holiday cookie goodie bags.
One hundred percent of all gifts and proceeds were presented to the local charities: Boys and Girls Harbor, Casa de Esperanza de Los Niños, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, The Forge for Families, and Volunteer Houston.
Playing Santa at the event: Founder Andy Delery, Board President Fred Wahrlich and Board Secretary and Treasurer Janet Wahrlich, Renee and John Hawkins, Elizabeth and Grant Harvey, Board members Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Board member Kim Padgett, Isla and Tommy Reckling III, Board members Edie and Rob Saville, Laura and Dave Ward, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Tom Davis, Julie and Dr. David Brown, Anne and Ken Culotta, Joann and Bill Crassas, Beverle Gardner and Marc Ostrofsky, Norm and Lauren Nolasco, David and Stephanie Baird,
Joyful Toyful Fiesta, Inc, a 501 (c)(3) organization, was founded 22 years ago by David and Carmen Bridges and Andy Delery to provide Christmas presents to children in need in the greater Houston area. JTF has since distributed more than 44,000 toys to local children’s charities. In 2010, the organization distributed a total of $65,000 to Houston non-profit organizations. Each year various business locations serve as donation drop sites for Christmas gifts leading to the annual holiday party generously underwritten by Gigi Huang.
 |
| Laura and Dave Ward with Shelby Hodge (Photo credit: Gary Fountain) |
 |
| Henry and Doe Florsheim (Photo credit: Gary Fountain) |
 |
| Kim Padgett and Joann Crassas (Photo credit: Gary Fountain) |
CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here
