Champions for Children annually gathers Houston professionals and community volunteers for an evening of fun, food, festivities, and fundraising all for a great cause.  Read below for our most recent event information.

2026 Champions for Children Gala

The Gilded Hours: A Modern Speakeasy Soirée
One unforgettable evening. One powerful mission.

Hosted by:
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl & Monica E. Fulton

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Hotel ZaZa Museum District
5701 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005
7 PM – Midnight

Cocktails: 7:00 PM
Seated Dinner: 8:00 PM

Online Auction coming soon!

Valet Parking Provided
Attire: Vintage Black Tie or Vintage Evening Attire

Honoring:
2026 Gabriel Lester Hero Award Recipient
Brandi Maxwell

and

2026 George T. Buenik Law Enforcement Excellence Award Recipient
Detective Elena Claburn, Houston Police Department, Homicide Division – Missing Persons Unit

Hosted by 2026 Gala Chairs:
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl & Monica E. Fulton

With Thanks to the 2026 Steering Committee:

Auction Co-Chairs
Janice Glaser & Nadia Tajalli

Sponsorship Chair
Lara Baker

Wine Chair
Trang Baratizadeh

Ginger Arwadi
Joanne Howard
Patrina Moscow
Penny Njoroge
Martina & Daniel Ogbonna
Angel Rios
Rebecca Shindler, Electric Karma International

2026 Host Committee:

Kimberly Ayres
Donae Chramosta
Cortney Cole-Hall
Denise Daniel
Minh Deckerd
Trienet & Mauricio del Valle
Gina Gaston Elie
Cherise E. Gutierrez

Pauline Huen & Jake Gopinath
Allison & Stephen Lewis
Kelly Opre & Robin Pilcher
Amy & Rob Pierce
Ashley & Bryon Rice
Liz Sanders
Tara & Eric Tracy
Desiree & Antonio Urrutia

Thank You 2026 VIP Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor
Monica E. Fulton

Silver Sponsors
Ginger & Nabil Arwadi
Denise & Thomas Daniel
Trienet & Mauricio del Valle and Tara & Eric Tracy
Jordan & Dylan Seff
Kelly Opre & Robin Pilcher
Doreen J. Wise

Photo Booth Underwriter

Bronze Sponsors

Janice Glaser
Jake Gopinath & Pauline Huen
Natalie Schultz and Friends

Stellar Bank
Mel & Eric Turnquist
The Law Office of Tory Vonder Haar, PLLC

Valet Sponsors

Wall of Hope Sponsors
Amy & Rob Pierce

VIP Dinner Wine Sponsors
Rishma & Akbar Mohamed

Dinner Wine Sponsors – Red
Allison & Stephen Lewis

Corporate Community Partner
Cortney Cole-Hall, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Welcome Gift Sponsor

Brass Sponsors
Beth Alberts & Mark Sendt
Donna & George T. Buenik