To launch the mission of Nora’s Gift Foundation in Houston, an inaugural gala was held in 2011. Spring boarding off the success of the gala, a successful capital campaign secured the funds necessary to finally realize the vision of building a standalone hospitality home that serves any patient from the solid organ transplant centers in the Texas Medical Center. Nora’s Home opened its doors with 16 family suites in 2013 and expanded to 32 suites in 2018 due to the high demand for patient lodging.
The home has proved an invaluable resource to transplant patients and their families. Subsequent galas continue to provide the necessary funds in supporting theses families by alleviating their financial burden through the Adopt-A-Family program. This ensures no guest is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Nora’s Home would simply not be possible without the support, commitment, and endorsement from our incredible gala chairs and our Nora’s Home Family.
There’s No Place Like Home
Chairs
Ben & Pat Bono
Honoring
The late William B. Reily, III
Alice Fanto
Cade Alpard
Home, Sweet Home
Chairs
Caroline & Dr. Salim Debaghi
Honoring
Laura & George Pontikes
Sierra Beeching
Cabaret
Chairs
Anne Whitlock & Michael Skelly
Kathleen & Pat Wood
Honoring
Paula Hern & Tom Barbour
Spotlight on Nora’s Home
Chairs
Lisa & Rudy Beeching
Anita & the late Tom Richards
Honoring
Judy & Ron Girotto
Diane & Ellis Tudzin
Nora’s Home at the Kentucky Derby
Chairs
Brigitte & Bashar Kalai
Honoring
The Bono & Boudwin Families
Giving Back to the Future
Chairs
Dr. Sippi & Ajay Khurana
Honorary Chair
Margaret Alkek Williams
Honoring
Lynda & the late David Underwood
The Best is Yet to Come
Chairs
Paige & Todd Johnson
Ashley & Curt Langley
Ann & John Smither
Honoring
Linda & the late Jerry Strickland
We Are Family
Chairs
Nick & Vicki Massad
Honoring
Carole & Jim Looke
Paula & Rusty Walter
The Sky’s the Limit
Chairs
Susie Cunningham
Chelsea Cunningham McDermott
Honoring
Million Air
Nora’s Home: Homecoming
Honoring
10 Years of Gala Alumni
Heroes Among Us
Chairs
Carole & Jim Looke
Lindsey & Steven Looke
Honoring
Dr. Eric Boerwinkle & UTHealth School of Public Health
Dr. Marc Boom & Houston Methodist Hospital
Dr. Paul Klotman & Baylor College of Medicine
Wish Upon A Star
Chairs
Carla & Cole Dawson
Neva & John Dawson
World of Wonder
Chairs
Shazma & Arshad Matin
Honoring
Texas Children’s Hospital
Race for Life
Race Directors
Krista & Ronnie Smith
Pit Crew
Austen & Dr. Mariangela Smith, Blake & Ally Babineaux, and Ashlee & Blake Williamson
Honoring
O. Howard Frazier, M.D.
