Crime Stoppers Gala Celebrates Houston

By Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, Staff writer | October 25, 2017

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Rania Mankarious, Bob Woodruff, Alissa Parker

(From left) Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston, keynote speaker Bob Woodruff and guest speaker Alissa Parker. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

The 2017 Crime Stoppers of Houston Gala took place on Thurs., Oct. 19 at the Hyatt Regency Houston with a theme of celebrating Houston after Harvey. Speakers shared inspiring messages of hope after tragedy. More than 460 gathered for the organization’s largest fundraiser, raising more than $308,000 for crime prevention programs.

Media icon and namesake of the Crime Stoppers building in Houston Dave Ward joined MC Dominique Sachse, KPRC news anchor, to lead the evening’s program. Steve Tyrell’s song for Houstonians, “Hand in Hand” was played to set the tone of celebrating Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Members of the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office honor guards entered the ballroom and stood by the stage as groups were called to stand and be recognized. At the end and with every person standing, Ward reflected on what it’s been like to see Houstonians helping Houstonians.

Bashar Kalai, Brigitte Kalai, Susan Boggio, Donae Chramosta, Rob Chramosta

(From left) Bashar Kalai, Brigitte Kalai, Susan Boggio, Donae Chramosta and Rob Chramosta. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

Keynote speaker was ABC International Correspondent Bob Woodruff who shared his story of recovery after being hit by an IED while on assignment in Iraq. Guest speaker Alissa Parker, mom of Emilie Parker, one of the 20 first grade children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Alissa shared memories of Emilie and what happened on the day of the shooting. She encouraged guests to join her and Crime Stoppers to continue to work together on making sure our schools are as safe as possible. Read more about Alissa Parker’s story in this Sunday Mornings with Rania article by Rania Mankarious.

Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston, provides safety tips and important perspectives on what’s going on in the news every week. See Sunday Mornings with Rania.

(From left) Eric Haas, Courtney Zubowski Haas and Corbett Parker take a selfie at the gala. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Media icon Dave Ward and keynote speaker Bob Woodruff. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Barbara Lewis and Gail Stalarow. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Donae Chramosta, Rania Mankarious and Leisa Holland-Nelson. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Donae Chramosta, Shelley Ludwick, Michelle Sacks and Vicki Rizzo. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Members of the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office honor guards entered the ballroom and stood together by the main stage. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Deborah Walker, Cabell Wood and William Walker. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Kenneth Lewis and Carla Diaz Lewis. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Lindsay and Scott Aronstein (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Michelle and Mike Heinz (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
(From left) Nick Florescu, Dominique Sachse, Alissa Parker, Roula Christie and Tasos Katsaounis. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston and Buzz editor Joni Hoffman. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Gala Chairs Scott and Soraya McClelland (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Buzz publisher Michael Hoffman and editor Joni Hoffman (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Steve and Joella Mach (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Tama Lundquist and Marge Lundquist (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)
Tena and Tyson Faust (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

Eric Haas, Courtney Zubowski Haas, Corbett Parker

(From left) Eric Haas, Courtney Zubowski Haas and Corbett Parker take a selfie at the gala. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

(From left) Media icon Dave Ward and keynote speaker Bob Woodruff. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

(From left) Barbara Lewis and Gail Stalarow. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

Donae Chramosta, Rania Mankarious, Leisa Holland-Nelson

(From left) Donae Chramosta, Rania Mankarious and Leisa Holland-Nelson. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

Donae Chramosta, Shelley Ludwick, Michelle Sacks, Vicki Rizzo

(From left) Donae Chramosta, Shelley Ludwick, Michelle Sacks and Vicki Rizzo. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)

Members of the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office honor guards entered the ballroom and stood together by the main stage. (Photo: Catchlight Group/Michelle Watson)