Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
+5Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
Dreams Do Come True – Nora’s Home Gala Benefits Transplant Patients and Families
The Houston transplant community and its supporters spent a night under the stars for the 2023 Nora’s Home “Wish Upon a Star” Gala at the McGovern Centennial Gardens.
Co-chairs Carla and Cole Dawson and Neva and John Dawson welcomed 600 guests to the annual gala raising more than $1.1 million in celebration of Nora’s Home 10th Anniversary of providing care, education, support, and housing for more than 1,600 families and 50,000 nights for the transplant community.
The evening began with a cocktail reception under the tent of sparkling twinkle lights where guests were entertained by Sergei Galperin, 1st chair violinist of the Houston Symphony, and appetizers provided by City Kitchen.
Emcee Lisa Malosky welcomed guests to their seats for the program, which began with the invocation led by David Gow. The co-chairs then joined Malosky on stage to thank the guests and supporters and spoke of their involvement with Nora’s Home.
After a brief video introducing Nora’s Home and highlighting the story of Nora Gaber and her parents’ love for their daughter, Drs. Lillian and Osama Gaber were applauded by the audience for the conception and success of Nora’s Home.
The song “Chapel of Love” suddenly played overhead and the spotlight turned to Bobby, a heart recipient, kneeling on one knee in front of Faith, a lung recipient, to propose. They two met while staying at Nora’s Home. She said yes!
Cole Dawson then shared his story of how he joined the transplant community when in 2018 he underwent a heart transplant at Houston Methodist after being hospitalized for heart failure for several months. The heart failure was the result of his chemotherapy treatment in his early 20’s. He expressed his gratitude for the second chance and support he received from the transplant community.
Guests enjoyed a dreamy dinner by City Kitchen of a burrata bowl, braised boneless short ribs with cabernet reduction accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, large gulf shrimp stuffed with jumbo crab meat and bundles of haricots verts, finished off with a key lime and white chocolate torte.
Three of the waitstaff suddenly burst into song. The Three Waiters – much to the surprise of partygoers – had started their show. Under the guise of being “real” waiters at the event serving courses and beverages all evening, the three are actually performers known for their operatic entertainment wooing the crowd!
Auctioneer Rusty Mertink then led the lively auction of a 16-person suite for a 2023 Astros season home game that included batting practice and signature Astros bobbleheads; a dazzling 14K white gold and 13 carat diamond necklace; an adorable Cavapoo puppy with training package; and a five-star dining experience for 10 provided by City Kitchen and Monsterville wines at Million Air. Guests also took a chance in the Tip or Sip raffle for a chance to win a women’s style package from Teressa Foglia and shopping spree at Alchemia Boutique, and a second prize of curated fine wines.
The evening concluded with guests dancing to tunes provided by DJ Greene under the stars. The focus of the night drew attention to the needs of transplant patients and the proceeds benefitted the Adopt-A-Family fund, which provides financial support for families who cannot afford to pay the minimal nightly fee.
Friday’s Gala was supported by many individuals, community partners and generous underwriters, including: Jim Looke, Christiana and Russell Frank, Caroline and Andrew Benak, Sallie and George Alcorn, Geraldine and Dr. Joe Galati, Alana and Sherman Glass, Marie and Arnaud De Limelette, Emily Crosswell, Janet and Dr. Ben Orman, Julia and Dr. Horacio Adrogue, Laura and Dr. Mark Hobeika, Jeri Ann Woodfin Costa and Victor Costa, Audrey and David Gow, Roberta and Lee Schwartz, Jamie and Kevin Myer.
About Nora’s Home:
Opened in 2013 as the only transplant hospitality home in the Gulf Coast region, Nora’s Home welcomes patients and their families at any stage of their transplant journey. The hospitality home aims to ease burdens many patients face by helping reduce the immense expense and stress incurred while undergoing transplant care by providing affordable lodging in a loving, home-like environment. Located in Houston near the Texas Medical Center, the self-supporting facility includes 32 private bedrooms and baths, a communal kitchen, community room, meditation room, education center, healing garden and provides free shuttle services to and from the medical center. In its first 10 years of operations, more than 1,600 families have been served to date representing 38 different states and 4 countries and providing more than 50,000-night stays. For more information or to get involved, please visit www.norashome.org, call 832-831-3720 or follow us on social media @NorasHomeTMC.