Houston Children’s Charity will be hosting its 12th Annual Spring Fundraiser this weekend at Paige and Tilman Fertitta’s gorgeous residence.  The likes of Nolan Ryan, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Ray Childress, Dan Pastorini, Yao Ming and many more will be mingling amongst guests and enjoying a spring evening as funds are raised to help underprivileged children. I had the opportunity to interview Laura Ward, founder of and current director of Houston Children’s Charity about the organization and this upcoming event.  Here’s what she had to say.

Jen: What exactly distinguished Houston Children’s Charity from other non-profits that focuses on youth in Houston?

Laura: “The unique factor that distinguishes HCC from other organizations in the city is that we are child-related not cause- related.  We provide for any need of a child no matter how large or how small, and all funds stay local – we support children in Houston.  Budgetary restraints are the only thing that stands in our way.”
 
 Jen: This is quite an extravagant event.  Most of these guests have agents and booking rates.  How much of the proceeds of this event are actually going to the charity?  And toward what program?

Laura: “100 % of all proceeds from the event will benefit HCC programs for Houston’s special children.    More specifically, much of the funds will be used for “A Better Night’s Sleep” program.  The vast majority of Houstonians are not aware that there are thousands of children in our own city going to sleep at night without a bed.  For many of our recipients, depending on their age, this is the first bed they have ever slept in.  We provide these beds to our clients fully dressed with linens and pillows.”
 
“All of the costs of the event are being underwritten by our gracious hosts Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Chairman of the Board of Houston Children’s Charity.  There is not another event in the city where one can mingle with 30 celebrities of this stature.   With only 100 tickets being sold, there will be opportunities for autographs and photos with the celebrities.  Guests will be visiting with NFL, NBA, and Baseball Hall of Famers, Olympic Gold Medalists, Heisman Trophy Winners, NASA Shuttle Astronauts and many more that have never been brought together for such a unique event.   One will leave the evening with the feeling that the $1,000 ticket price is a bargain for such an experience.”

To find out about this event: www.houstonchildrenscharity.org/leadersleadership.html

Houston Children’s Charity is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused and disabled children who have been otherwise left behind.  The scope of our support is limited only by the availability of resources.  Our goal is to leave no legitimate request for assistance unanswered.