Recognizing Child Advocates
The 17th annual Accolades Luncheon helps at-risk children and honors top child advocates
=
CHILDREN AT RISK President and CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn, Chairs Rick and Laura Jaramillo, and honorees Tracy and Ken Janda
Margaret and Dr. Stephen Klinberg
Cesar Espinoza, David Jasso, Valerie Alvarado
CHILDREN AT RISK President and CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn, Chairs Rick and Laura Jaramillo, and honorees Tracy and Ken Janda
Photographer: Roswitha Vogler
The Celebration
The luxurious Hotel Zaza in the museum district welcomed over 250 guests to the 17th annual Accolades Luncheon hosted by CHILDREN AT RISK. This was the first year for the luncheon’s new theme: The Academy Awards of Child Advocacy. Laura and Rick Jaramillo chaired the festive event, which honored Ken and Tracy Janda and Community Health Choice with the Accolades Award. FOX 26 news anchor Melissa Wilson emceed.
The Story
Ten individuals and organizations received awards for their tireless efforts to assist and protect children. And the winners are: Amanda Edwards, who received the John M. O’Quinn Public Policy Award; Ted Poe, who received the Voice for Children Award; Christina Triantaphyllis, who received the Rising Star in Child Advocacy Award; Elena Marks, who received the Child Health Advocate of the Year Award; Leadership ISD, which received the Outstanding New Child-Focused Nonprofit Award; Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory of Houston, which received the Innovation in the Field of Child Advocacy Award; Small Steps Nurturing Center, which received the Outstanding Child-Focused Nonprofit Award; Dr. Quianta Moore, who received the Maconda Brown O’Connor Legacy Distinguished Child Advocate Award; Gaby Rodriguez, who received the Outstanding Youth in Child Advocacy Award; and Patra Brannon-Isaac, who received the Education Advocate of the Year Award.
The Moments
Auctioneer, Judge Eric Andell, kept the auction bids moving. His energetic efforts resulted in the Houston Rockets luxury suite being the top prize with the Frank’s Americana dinner for eight package coming in a close second.
Over $270,000 was raised for CHILDREN AT RISK. This included a special gift of $79,000 from Wells Fargo in support of early education efforts.
Guests: Buddy Steves, Donald Bowers, Chris Bell, Rebecca Hove, Chris Watt, Sukanti Ghosh, Sherman and Nicole Lewis, Jasmine Turner, Kayla Tolunay, Mark Troth, and Larry Wisniewski.
About CHILDREN AT RISK
CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit organization leading the way to improving the quality of life for Texas’ children through research, collaboration, and advocacy. CHILDREN AT RISK educates the community and public officials based on its groundbreaking research, which tracks children’s health, safety, education, and economic conditions. By understanding children’s needs and speaking out on their behalf, CHILDREN AT RISK drives change.