Houston’s true fashionistas delighted in the sneak-preview of ESCADA’s Resort and Spring 2008 lines, presented on the runway by Neiman Marcus to benefit Child Advocates, Inc. The event drew more than 600 members of the city’s “who’s who” crowd. An ESCADA trunk show immediately followed the event in the Neiman Marcus Couture Salon.

Neiman Marcus and Bob Devlin have been integral to the success of our annual Angels of Hope Luncheon, from securing top notch designers and producing exciting fashion presentations, to underwriting many of the costs associated with the production of show,” said Sonya Galvan, chief executive officer of Child Advocates, Inc.

The luncheon grossed over $300,000 – an amount that will allow Child Advocates to provide critical advocacy for 180 child victims of life-threatening abuse, neglect and abandonment this year.

Each year much of the excitement at the luncheon centers around the Angels of Hope Raffle. Neiman Marcus always graciously donates an item or outfit by that year’s designer and this year it was no different. The lucky winner of the $2,500 ESCADA Ensemble was Kelly Bourgeois. Neiman’s also donated another $2,500 ESCADA Ensemble as a Trunk Show door prize immediately following the luncheon at Neiman’s. Charlotte Benson was the winner at the Trunk Show - and she says she never wins anything...

Sandra Moffet was the lucky winner of the three night stay in the luxurious Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort with butler-service by the Tamai Quiet Pool for a day and dinner in the Bahia Restaurant with resort selected wines.

Patricia Bourlon won the exquisite pair of Nancey Chapman drop earrings made of South American aquamarine gem stones and 22 carat bezeled is this supposed to be beveled instead of bezeled gold. Each of the four stones per earring are equivalent to 20 carats a piece.

One weekend soon, Cecily Burleson, will be sneaking to the Omni Houston Hotel in the Galleria area for a weekend stay at this luxurious hotel. She will also enjoy Sunday Brunch for two as the lucky winner of this raffle item.

Gretchen McFarland and her family will be enjoying the Living Waters lake house on Lake Travis. Living Waters is a home constructed of straw bale that has been featured on HGTV and on the cover of Natural Home Magazine. The home offers a viewing tower and deck on the third floor, stone fireplaces in the great room and on the covered porch, hot tub on the upper terrace, a grotto, organic gardens, and dock house.

Our Honoree

MARY BRATTON

Coming from a family of attorneys including her father, who also served as a judge, Mary Bratton gravitated towards the mission of Child Advocates – remembering her father being troubled him to think that a child would be placed in a dangerous or abusive environment. Although Mary’s father struggled with child-placement decisions nearly 50 years ago, this issue continues to face family law judges everyday.

Since working with dear friend Barbara Scott on the Friends of Child Advocates Catalog Caper Gala at Neiman Marcus Town & Country in 1992, Mary has been enthusiastically involved with Child Advocates. She has been a Friends of Child Advocates member, a Luncheon attendee, and an active supporter of the organization for nearly 15 years.

Mary is a fantastic role model to her four children and eight grandchildren. She is very involved with St. Philip Presbyterian Church, volunteers with the Christian Community Services’ Jingle Bell Express toy drive, and has served as Decorations Chair for the Interfaith Ministries Gala twice in the past three years. Her desire to help those in need is further evidenced by her volunteer work in the Memorial Hermann emergency waiting room and her service on the MD Anderson Children’s Holiday Card Committee. In addition, Mrs. Bratton served for five years as a volunteer with the Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker Market.

Both retired, Mary and her husband of 47 years, Jim, continue to be active in the community. They enjoy spending time with their large – mostly Houston based – family and travel abroad at any chance they get.

Event Kick-Off Celebration

The Friends of Child Advocates celebrated prior to the big event with event underwriters at the September 13 Kick-Off Party in the home of Carrie and Al Pepi. Guests are still raving about the Southern-style spread underwritten by Sharon and Rocky Fields. In attendance were Angels of Hope Luncheon Chair Mollie Castaneda and Honoree Mary Bratton. (pictured at right, Honoree Mary Bratton and daughter Carrie Pepi)

View highlights from 2006.