Nora’s Home Gala

To split a table or for other event questions, please contact
Laurel Keller at laurel@norashome.org or by calling 832-962-8065.

Checks can be mailed to:

ATTN: Ms. Laurel Keller
Nora’s Home
8300 El Rio St. Houston, TX 77054

A Note from Our
Race Directors and Pit Crew

Our family knows first-hand the many challenges and difficulties a patient and their family has before, during, and after transplant procedures. Our daughter and Pit Crew member, Ally Babineaux, has had two LVAD devices (Left Ventricular Assist Device) implanted,
which is a mechanical heart pump, and three heart transplants over the past fifteen years. Due to our family living near the Texas Medical
Center, thankfully we have not had to rely on Nora’s Home for housing during these times. However, we sympathize with the families that depend on Nora’s Home as Ally has had many stays in the hospital for many months at a time.

We proudly support Nora’s Home because this wonderful facility provides invaluable resources to organ failure and transplant patients
while supporting and encouraging them and their families through these medical hardships.

The Smith Family

Gala History

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.

View Past Galas

2011

There’s No Place Like Home

Joana Rose (Daughter), Ben & Pat Bono

Chairs
Ben & Pat Bono

Honoring
The late William B. Reily, III
Alice Fanto
Cade Alpard

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2013

Home, Sweet Home

The Debaghis

Chairs
Caroline & Dr. Salim Debaghi

Honoring
Laura & George Pontikes
Sierra Beeching

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2014

Cabaret

The Woods, M. Skelly, & A. Whitlock

Chairs
Anne Whitlock & Michael Skelly
Kathleen & Pat Wood

Honoring
Paula Hern & Tom Barbour

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2015

Spotlight on Nora’s Home

The Beechings & Richards

Chairs
Lisa & Rudy Beeching
Anita & the late Tom Richards

Honoring
Judy & Ron Girotto
Diane & Ellis Tudzin

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2016

Nora’s Home at the Kentucky Derby

The Kalais

Chairs
Brigitte & Bashar Kalai

Honoring
The Bono & Boudwin Families

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2017

Giving Back to the Future

The Khuranas

Chairs
Dr. Sippi & Ajay Khurana

Honorary Chair
Margaret Alkek Williams

Honoring
Lynda & the late David Underwood

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2018

The Best is Yet to Come

The Smithers, Langleys, & Johnsons

Chairs
Paige & Todd Johnson
Ashley & Curt Langley
Ann & John Smither

Honoring
Linda & the late Jerry Strickland

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2019

We Are Family

The Massads

Chairs
Nick & Vicki Massad

Honoring
Carole & Jim Looke
Paula & Rusty Walter

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202o

The Sky’s the Limit

Chelsea & Susie

Chairs
Susie Cunningham
Chelsea Cunningham McDermott

Honoring
Million Air

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2021

Nora’s Home: Homecoming

Honoring
10 Years of Gala Alumni

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2022

Heroes Among Us

The Looke Family

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

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2023

Wish Upon A Star

John & Neva | Cole & Carla

Chairs
Carla & Cole Dawson
Neva & John Dawson

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2024

World of Wonder

Shazma & Arshad

Chairs
Shazma & Arshad Matin

Honoring
Texas Children’s Hospital

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