Astros’ Team Up for Kids and K9s event scores $400,000
“It’s Kate Upton’s first time in the store,” shrieked Shelley Taylor Ludwick, Tootsies’ customer experience and events manager.
Late Thursday afternoon, the supermodel and new mom entered the Shops at Arrive River Oaks boutique with her husband, Astros pitcher Justin Verlander.
For a time, the celebrity couple lived across the street at 2727 Kirby, a condominium high-rise, and were often spotted walking their dogs around the neighborhood. So it’s fitting that Upton’s introduction to Tootsies began with a four-legged run-in. She walked in and immediately bent down to pet Blue, a rescue dog trained to detect explosive devices. That’s the magic of José Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr.’s annual Team Up for Kids and K9s event. Over the past three years, their ultra-exclusive fundraiser has garnered a reputation as the place to hobnob with past and present baseball legends, their significant others and adoptable local pets.
It just depends on what you’re into.
Amanda Boffone’s young son, for example, was unfazed by Carlos Correa, George Springer, Gerrit Cole, Brad Peacock and Joe Smith sightings. The World Series champions stood between him and petting animals. He tugged on his mother’s hand, pulling her toward the kittens and puppies in crates by the shoe salon.
Later, Citizens for Animal Protection presented the Lance McCullers Foundation, which invests time and resources into pet rescue, adoption and shelters, with a $25,000 check underwritten by fellow animal lovers Julie and Brook Brookshire.
The funds will further Lance and wife Kara
McCullers’ mission to make Houston a no-kill city.
There were other generous moments, too. Benjamin Berg, owner of B&B Butchers, offered up a private dinner with McCullers and Altuve during the live auction; their teammates bid on that item like mad. A one-of-a-kind G.O.A.T., for Greatest (Astros) of All Time, art sculpture by Scott Joseph
Moore and Frankie Gonzalez honoring Hall of Famers also fetched a pretty penny.
In total, the crowd raised $400,000. Proceeds benefit the McCullers’ animal rights initiatives and the Jose Altuve Foundation’s designated beneficiary, the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which provides free programs for children receiving cancer treatment.
Pint-sized eventgoers took full advantage of the kid-friendly food stations while their parents sat for the short program. Tiny Boxwoods’ famous chocolate-chip cookies, Monarch Hospitality/Potente’s black truffle pasta and Antone’s po-boy sandwiches proved popular. KICPOP’s boozy frozen desserts were an adultsonly treat.
Afterward, the party continued with outfielder
Jake Marisnick and former first baseman Jeff
Bagwell at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille for Game 6 of the NBA Finals. With a Golden State Warriors’ loss and a philanthropic Astros’ win, it was an all-around epic night for Houston sports fans.