Rob Giardinelli
Event Positively Impacted Dozens Of Families & Provided Life-Changing Vans To 66 Families In The Greater Houston Area
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Daniel Ortiz, Catchlight Group (Michelle Watson and Johnny Than), and Quy Tran
THE SCENE: The Post Oak Hotel in Houston was the setting for a heartwarming afternoon that forever changed the lives of dozens of families for the better. The annual Houston Children’s Charity Chariots for Children van distribution event drew a fantastic mix that included several hundred of the state’s top community, philanthropic, and social leaders, along with the 66 families who were provided with vans to allow children with disabilities consistent access to transportation for essential services to support them and their families the gift of mobility.
THE VIBE: The business casual attire crowd had a feeling of family from the moment they walked into The Post Oak Ballroom Foyer for a welcome reception. The Houston Children’s Charity donors had the opportunity to be introduced to van recipient families, who were met with many smiles, hugs, and a few tears in the crowd.
The crowd then gathered in The Post Oak Ballroom, which was transformed into a space fit for children of all ages. Bright pops of color, along with hundreds of balloons, were throughout the room, adding to the cheerful, happy, and grateful energy of everyone fortunate enough to be a part of such a memorable afternoon.
The Smith family
Once guests took to their seats, they were treated to words from local, state, and national leaders. Speakers included Houston Children’s Charity President & CEO Laura S. Ward, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, philanthropists Richard and Jana Fant, & Ambassador of the United States of America to the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino Tilman J. Fertitta. Each speaker thanked the audience for being part of a special day that showcased the Houston community’s power to positively transform lives.
During the program, select families appeared on stage with Houston Children’s Charity patrons and philanthropists whose generosity helped make the afternoon possible. The love was palpable between guests, donors, and recipients, showcasing the heart and generosity of Houston at its finest.
Moody-Buzbee
The afternoon was capped off with each of the families heading to the parking lot adjacent to The Post Oak Hotel where their Chariots awaited. Each family and organization had the opportunity to view, pose for photos with patrons, and ultimately leave with their life-changing vehicle, which will enable them to embark on new family adventures for years to come.
THE NON-PROFIT: Founded in 1996, Houston Children’s Charity has served the community with a mission to improve the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and disabled children. The Chariots for Children van distribution event was made possible by the generosity of many patrons around Houston who supported the 2024 Houston Children’s Charity Gala. Since its founding, Houston Children’s Charity Chariots has awarded 438 vans, known as Chariots to agencies and families in Houston, giving them access to efficient transportation.
