Michael Bolton, Angie Harmon headline UNICEF ball
UNICEF’s fourth annual Audrey Hepburn Society Ball had a clear and important message: Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects children worldwide, even here in our own backyard.
It’s a message that many Houstonians supported — there were 12 honorary chairs, eight gala chairs, three NextGen chairs and 45 gala committee members (including yours truly).
The festivities opened in song, thanks to a few impromptu riffs from emcee Deborah Duncan and a performance by the Awty International School Choir.
Then it was on to Mayor Sylvester Turner, who broke from his usual off-the-cuff and oft-comedic remarks to outline how city officials and local law enforcement plan to address Houston’s sex-trafficking challenges. His daughter, Ashley Turner, later lightened the mood as one of the NextGen after-party chairs; Nina and Karun Magon rounded out the trio.
UNICEF USA CEO and executive vice president Barron Segar helped Margaret Alkek Williams present her namesake Humanitarian Award to Rosanette and Harry Cullen.
“Harry Sr. couldn’t be here tonight, so Harry Jr. is here. And if that isn’t enough, Harry III is here, too,” Rosanette quipped from the stage.
The Spirit of Compassion Award recipient was Angie Harmon; the “Law & Order” and “Rizzoli & Isles” actress’ three daughters proved to be sassy teleprompter-reading stars in their own right.
“You may know my mom from TV shows,” middle child Avery Grace Sehorn said from the stage. “And yes, she’s exactly like her characters in real life.”
Harmon, a UNICEF ambassador and End Trafficking spokesperson, was visibly moved by her daughters’ introduction and praise of her altruistic work: “I didn’t really have a purpose until they got here.” Nelson Bowman (managing director of the Southwest Region),
Susan Boggio (board chair), and Amy Pierce (gala chair) followed. Each drove home the importance of being generous and how children around the globe benefit from the audience’s financial contributions. Stephen C. Lewis offered five live-auction packages, which helped some 450 ballgoers raise more than $910,000.
Grammy Awardwinning artist and humanitarian Michael Bolton closed the show with a three-song concert, which included classic hits “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Stand by Me.”
Much of the crowd departed about 10 p.m., just in time to let the “kids” take over the dance floor during NextGen’s late-night social.