The tenth annual Jeans & Jewels…A Texas Size Party grossed more than $460,000 for Northwest Assistance Ministries’ programs that provide food, medical access, school supplies, education and assistance to individuals and families in need throughout the area.
More than 450 community leaders, volunteers and supporters gathered at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott for dinner and dancing, live and silent auctions, and the drawing for a ladies’ garnet and diamond pendant and earrings from Thomas Markle Jewelers. Dana Tyson of Sunny 99.1 F.M. served as the emcee.
“The success of the tenth annual Jeans & Jewels gala and the tremendous support the community has shown for the event is inspiring,” said Carole Little, NAM President and CEO. “Like many others, NAM has been hit hard by Hurricane Ike and we need the community’s support more than ever. It was truly inspiring to see so many turn out for this event and so much money raised when our community is still recovering from the storm.”
Nita Bedford and Susan Diehl chaired the Jeans & Jewels Committee, and the gala honored Lindy and Steve Hamblin for their ongoing support of NAM through donations of money, in-kind services and volunteer hours.
Top program sponsors included: The Newfield Foundation, Ultra Petroleum, Valerie and John vonBerg, Citation Oil and Gas Corp., Linda and Harlan Martens, Ann and Rob McKee, Memorial Hermann Health System, Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and the Watford Family Foundation.
Austin band People’s Choice entertained the crowd with its country western and classic rock sounds, and the dance floor was crowded throughout the evening. An inspirational video was shown highlighting NAM’s services and volunteers, in commemoration of the organization’s twenty-fifth anniversary. Event attractions included a mechanical bull and a vintage Cadillac as a photo backdrop.
Judge J. Kent Adams and Constable Ron Hickman served as auctioneers. Live auction items included: an amethyst and diamond necklace, ring and bracelet donated by Shannon Jewelers; an Amish quilt in blue and yellow “Lone Star” pattern; a pearl and diamond bracelet donated by Valerie vonBerg; a two-day trip to Round One of the Masters Gold Tournament in Augusta, Georgia with a golf flag signed by Mark O’Meara; a spa with seating for five donated by ABC Pest Pool and Lawn Services; a week’s stay at a villa on Cabo San Lucas donated by Amy Grace; a Beijing 2008 cap signed by all the members of the men’s Olympic gymnastics team donated by Mazeika’s Elite Gymnastics; and a sponsorship of NAM’s Children’s Clinic.
NAM touched the lives of more than 119,000 people last year from more than 126 ZIP codes through programs and services such as Assistance, the Interfaith Hospitality Network for families in transition from homelessness, the Children’s Clinic, the Food Pantry, the Family Violence Center, the Resale Shops, Meals on Wheels, the Fifty Plus Senior Center, Rotary Learning/Workforce Development Center.
“The success of Jeans & Jewels means NAM can serve people who might otherwise go without assistance,” Little said.
For information about NAM’s programs and services, volunteering at NAM or donating to NAM, call 281-885-4555 or visit NAM’s web site at www.namonline.org.
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