Rob Giardinelli
With Fundraising Record, The Powerful Reading Legacy Continues
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
THE SCENE: The Post Oak Hotel in Houston was the setting for one of Space City’s most anticipated and successful annual luncheons. A sold-out crowd featuring 800 of the area’s most notable community leaders, advocates, educators, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon. Benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the afternoon featured great food, a lively program, and a conversation with best-selling author and cultural icon Tom Selleck.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-chic attire crowd featured a beautiful mix of bold colors, prints, metallics, and neutral colors. The result was a warm, festive, welcoming environment where everyone felt like family.
The afternoon kicked off with a VIP Meet and Greet where several lucky guests had the opportunity to meet guest of honor Tom Selleck. The legendary actor graciously and warmly greeted patrons, inviting them to take a photo and thanking them for being a part of a memorable afternoon.
Guests then headed to The Post Oak Ballroom Foyer for a festive cocktail reception. Here, patrons sipped on champagne and brimmed with anticipation of the fun afternoon that lay ahead. Once the doors to The Post Oak Ballroom opened, guests headed to their seats for the lunch and program portion of the afternoon.
An invocation offered by students from Barbara Bush Elementary School kicked off the afternoon, which served as a touching tribute to First Lady Barbara Bush and her enduring legacy of commitment to children and education. An exceptional performance by the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band followed, making the happy occasion even more joyous.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle served as emcee, keeping the festivities moving at a fun, brisk pace throughout the afternoon. As guests dined on a delectable lunch, they were treated to words from organization and event leaders thanking them for being a part of such a special afternoon.
Capping off the afternoon was a witty conversation between Lorelle and Selleck. The witty banter kept the conversation fun, and Selleck himself shared that he had known the first lady dating all the way back to his time on the iconic 80s show Magnum P.I. The conversation ended on a high note that afternoon, with patrons already looking forward to next year’s event.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon, co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, raised a record-breaking $775,000 for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards several of the organization’s signature programs, including My Home Library, Curiosity Cruisers,Raising a Reader, and Science of Reading In Action. Since the event’s founding, over $5 million has been raised through the annual luncheon, hosted each year by the Ladies for Literacy Guild.
