A Super Fundraiser

When we first started planning our annual fundraiser in late spring, we had no idea what the pandemic would look like in October. Since our 2020 Picnic for Progress was such a great success — and was actually fun! — we decided to stick with the format: an after-work, outdoor reception with boxed dinners and a short program. This was a labor of love and would not have come together without the hard work and generosity of our Board members and local business owners.

Thanks to our Fundraiser Committee chair Jill Williams, we had a great theme to work with: Superheroes for Justice.  We decided to decorate in primary colors with a comic book look. And of course, we had to have capes!

Our Board Chair, Deborah Keyser, provided her beautiful event space, The Parador and generously comped the bar and designed the food. Treebeards provided a delicious dinner packed in Justice Forward metal lunchboxes. Rima and Ray Salti of Pepperonis, Inc. donated the non-alcoholic drinks and Sheryl and Roger Lochridge of Your Best Shot Photography donated their services as event photographers. Eric Reed, our local music guru and Board member found and hired the band the Kelly Dean Group. The hit of the event was the Oh What Fun Selfie photo booth sponsored by Jill Williams. 

Everything was in place and ready go well ahead of time, when a rather large problem cropped up: a freak wind event. Really Houston? We had to make the call whether to move the event inside. Fortunately, we had emcee and KPRC weatherman, Khambrel Marshall’s expert advice to guide us, so we quickly pivoted to an indoor event.

A very special graduate spoke that night, Ned Evans. In his beautiful baritone voice, Ned described his journey from losing everything and living in his car, to becoming a successful businessman, all thanks to the STAR Drug Court program and the support of Justice Forward. He, along with Patera Warren, were truly the superheroes of the night. Patera was awarded the Caprice Cosper Distinguished Alumni Award for her amazing accomplishments since successfully graduating from the drug court program. She has received her associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and passed the LCDC exam. Patera now works at Santa Maria Hostel helping women conquer substance abuse disorders and get back on their feet.

The program wrapped up with a Raise your Paddle round once again led by Board member Rev. Patrick Miller who brought in many donations with a fiery and often hilarious “sermon.” We also had an amazing raffle with four great baskets, including Rusty Hardin’s personal seats to the Houston Rockets, Texans and Astros games, a night at the Post Oak Hotel donated by Tilman Fertitta and beauty products and services from Therapy Hair. 

We raised over $17,000 during the dinner, and the total amount raised by the event topped $127,000—an incredible success! Thank you to everyone who attended Superheroes for Justice. We are so grateful for your support of our very important mission.