Supporters gathered under the stars Friday, March 24th at the beautiful McGovern Centennial Gardens in commemoration of The Gift of Life and Nora’s Home at the 2023 Nora’s Home Gala: Wish Upon A Star. Thanks to this year’s Gala Chairs, Carla & Cole Dawson and Neva & John Dawson, we were able to raise a stunning $1,194,650 (or 15,292 Night Stays) for Nora’s Home guests!
The gala setting was enchanting with a picturesque Texan sunset that set a pleasant ambiance along with music played by Houston Symphony 1st Chair Violinist, Sergei Galparin, while guests enjoyed a cocktail reception. As twilight approached, guests were welcomed to the event by the ever-suave Lisa Malosky who served as the emcee for the event and David Gow provided a lovely invocation to open the evening. The twinkling lights of the canopy reflected romantically on the garden pools and sitting among the flowers, guests joined in celebrating the home’s 10th anniversary and raising needed funds for the Adopt-A-Family program that ensures no guest is ever turned away due to the inability to pay.
Adding to the magic that night, Nora’s Home guests and transplant recipients, Bobby and Faith, were engaged. The couple met while both were staying at Nora’s Home and were thrilled to be a special part of program as they shared their experience about the home with the crowd.
Cole Dawson further warmed everyone’s hearts as he shared his personal transplant story of hope as he is now celebrating five years post-transplant after suffering heart failure brought on by his cancer treatments. At the close of Cole’s comments, the guests welcomed Nora’s Home patients who were in attendance and were charmed by a surprise performance of The Three Waiters who serenaded the crowd with gorgeous love songs intermixed with playful banter.
To close the evening, we were humbled by the fantastic Paddles Up and live auction that demonstrated enthusiastic support for the mission of Nora’s Home. We add our special thanks to Paula Hern & Tom Barbour as well as Carole & Jim Looke who generously matched the Paddles Up donations and truly made the night magical. Guests then danced the night away under the stars to DJ Greene.
We thank all the Gala Chairs, Host Committee, Underwriters, guests, volunteers, and other supporters who granted our wish that night for the continuation of the mission of Nora’s Home in providing transplant patients and their families an affordable place to stay where they can find support and share experiences with others, in the comfort of a home-like environment.
And thank you to our event production crews, In Any Event and Lisa Malosky Productions–you make the magic happen!
View video highlights on the home and photos from the event below!
