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A Winning Heart of Gold
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The Pontikeses are honored for their
long-term community service and the
Kings raised half a million dollars
benefiting Neighborhood Centers Inc.
View the large photo > |
With honorees George and Laura Pontikes beaming proudly from the audience, event co-chair Melissa King delivered a powerful message at the annual Heart of Gold luncheon on Feb. 24: "Thanks to the support of everyone in this room, we have raised more than half a million dollars for Neighborhood Centers Inc.," she told more than 600 people who filled the Hilton ballroom.
Highlights of the Heart of Gold event included special recognition for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee for supporting continued aid for Hurricane Ike victims; presentation of the Alice Graham Baker "Crusader" award to George and Laura Pontikes for long-term community service; a performance by students from the Promise Community School at Ripley House; and the debut of the "I Am Houston" documentary that highlights how Houston helps its residents achieve their ambitions.
Angela Blanchard, president and CEO of Neighborhood Centers Inc., thanked Host Committee Co-Chairs Bill and Melissa King for raising a record amount through the Heart of Gold Celebration. She also recognized the key elected officials who attended the event, including City of Houston Mayor Annise Parker; Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia; Houston City Council Members Wanda Adams, Sue Lovell, Brenda Stardig, Oliver Pennington and Jolanda Jones; and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
"We’re a city that is best measured by the size of our hearts and the aspirations of our people – and our leaders hold the ground for our future," Blanchard said.
Note: Touring the Baker-Ripley Center (one of 60 facilities of Neighborhood Centers Inc.) is a great way to learn how funds raised through the Heart of Gold Celebration benefit the community. To schedule a tour, please contact Marc Levinson, the director of Agency Relations, at 713.669.5222 or mlevinson@neighborhood-centers.org
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A Performance by Urban Souls Dance Company. |
Mayor Parker took time from her busy agenda to visit
the Pontikes and give thanks for their contributions
to the region. |
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Neighborhood Centers' Emelda
Douglas and Marcus Davis,
owner of The Breakfast Klub
and Reggae Hut
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