Some 150 shooters and 200 guests attended the 2012 Fine Art of Shooting event. For the first time ever, guests were encouraged to bring along their family dogs. The lucky pooches also participated in an award ceremony and enjoyed their own gourmet doggy buffet. Guests came ready to shoot and after a healthy breakfast, they bee-lined for the shooting stations to begin the fun. The event raised a substantial amount for the MFAH and was themed after Mr. Meredith Long’s 16-gauge Purdey Gun, which features a yellow rose. This year’s champions were Chris Elliot and Willy Coffey.

Photography by Jenny Antill

A crowd of Houston’s fashionistas and supporters of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women were welcomed to a gathering at Tootsies to celebrate the new Pavilion which provides labor and delivery services. Now complete, the Pavilion is among the nation’s premier maternal and newborn centers. This celebration was all about girl power – real women including glowing moms-to-be strutted down the runway in spring’s latest fashions. Reality star and Pavilion’s new resident, Dr. Jen Arnold (from TLC’s “The Little Couple”) filmed throughout the night for an upcoming episode. Guests enjoyed light bites by Tony’s catering and takeaway boxes of delightful sweets from Picnic.

Photography by Kim Coffman

WHY   To benefit the American Heart Association

WHERE   Hilton Americas Houston

WHEN  February 11

More than 700 attendees showed up in their finest to support the American Heart Association Ball. The evening featured many welcome surprises throughout the night, especially during the live auction which culminated in a winning bid for one of six 2012 Sewell Houston vehicles. There was much success raising funds, which resulted in more than $1.3 million raised to combat heart disease and stroke. And the “Beat Went On” after the Ball with the Young at Heart, the young professionals’ group for the American Heart Association, as they grooved long into the night to tunes by Commercial Art and Infinite Groove.

Photography by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

WHY  To benefit Dress for Success Houston

WHERE   Jackson’s Watering Hole

WHEN   February 11

Women of Wardrobe hosted a crowd of Dress for Success Houston supporters at Jackson’s Watering Hole. The young and hip crowd spent the gorgeous afternoon learning more about W.O.W. and raising over $14,000 for DFSH! The guests enjoyed delish delights from Jason’s Deli, A Fare Extraordinaire and Community Bar consisting of an amazing spread of sandwiches, sweet potato chips, soft pretzels paired with a stellar blueberry vinaigrette all while perusing the unreal raffle packages that were at stake. From a foodie lover’s dream, filled with gift cards from Uchi and Triniti, to the not yet opened Underbelly and Katsuya, or the Girls Night Out featuring two Mary Nichols clutches, 2 blowouts at Do Bar and dinner for two at benjyʼs, to name a few. Of course they didn’t forget about their guys: Texans fans fought after the signed and framed Matt Schaub jersey and the amazing Guys Package with a custom shirt from A. Taghi, a custom fly rod, an array of whiskey and a steak dinner at Sullivan’s.

Photography by Roswitha Vogler

WHY  To benefit the League’s Community Program

WHERE  The Junior League of Houston

WHEN February 16

The Junior League of Houston hosted their 64th annual Charity Ball, Starry Night Ball, over three evenings with over 850 guests in attendance and raising $930,000 for various community projects. Junior League entertainment chair Casey Schrade presented a rousing variety show directed by Bill Bartlett and choreographed by Mistie Porter, which brought the glamorous crowd to their feet. Both Friday and Saturday evenings featured one-of-a-kind luxe items on the popular “Big Board”: a vacation package provided by Exclusive Resorts Luxury Destination, a jewelry item donated by Nacol & Co. and a year of women’s shoes donated by LUCHO.

Photography by Michael Martinez

WHY  To benefit The River programs

WHERE  The Junior League of Houston

WHEN February 17

The River Performing & Visual Arts Center (The River) welcomed more than 250 guests to this year’s celebration. Event-goers flocked to the Junior League to enjoy a night of festivities and to pay tribute to the nonprofit by raising funds for its arts education programs. Making the evening even more special, attendees were given a powerful presentation from The River performance troupe, which is comprised of students from both The River and The Academy at Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. In keeping with the theme of the night, they performed a piece based on the idea of “Dreamland.”

Photography by David Kraitman

Why To benefit Legacy Community Health Services

Where Hilton Americas

When January 21

Legacy Community Health Services 5^th Annual Cabaret for a Cure, featuring seven-time Grammy Award winner Al Jarreau, was a tremendous success. During the glamorous evening Margaret Alkek Williams was awarded the Shannon R. Schrader Humanitarian Award and Julie Eberly with the Visionary Award for all their support throughout Legacy’s 30 year journey. The large crowd of beautiful people were treated to a seated dinner, silent auction, and a special performance by Mr. Jarreau, who scatted his way to the stage and brought everyone to their feet.

Photography by Kim Coffman and Phillis Hand