The Mission of Yahweh, a faith-based shelter that empowers, enriches, and restores the lives of homeless women and children, hosted a sold-out crowd of supporters for the inaugural Leaders & Legends Gala on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at River Oaks Country Club.

The gala recognized “Families on a Mission”: The Johnny Carrabba Family and Donna Vallone, who have shaped the Houston community through their commitment and service to others. Co-chairs Samantha Kennedy and Saula Valente, along with Honorary Chair Warner Roberts, were on a “mission” for more than a year culminating in raising more than $600,000 at the “Italian Dolce Vita” themed event.

Guests were entertained by the Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes orchestra led by conductor Guillermo Hernandez-Ching during the reception as they entered the salon through the walkway. Pre-function fundraising during the cocktail hour included surprise items from the Giving Tree, including restaurant gift cards, wine baskets, jewelry, theatre and opera tickets and more. Bidding started fast and furious on the Luxury Big Board led by Houston auctioneer extraordinaire Johnny Bravo for items such as handbags from Frances Valentine and by YSL, Astros Dugout tickets and Diamond passes, a Barbie High Tea for eight at Hotel Granduca, and more coveted packages.

Emcee KHOU Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan drew guests to the ballroom to begin the program under an Italian veranda of real olive trees and fresh cut flowers of the autumn season from Plant N’ Petals. Centerpieces were curated with a touch of “buona fortuna” - meaning good luck - where delicate white hydrangeas and lisianthus were enhanced by warm golden ranunculus, tulips, and wax flowers. The whole arrangement was completed with wheat, grapes, lemons, and pears — typical fruits of the season, but also symbol of prosperity. The Reverend Mary Gracely, as always, provided a thoughtful and thankful invocation to begin the program.

Bravo kept the bidding going online into the seated dinner and up until he raised the roof with paddles up and the live auction following a moving video that highlighted the accomplishments of the Mission of Yahweh and the thousands of women and children that have received emergency shelter in a faith-based, nurturing environment while providing programs and the support to help them become more independent and lead productive, successful lives. The Mission currently serves 120 residents per day, which is at capacity, and they turn away thousands every year. When their new residential building is completed next year, they will be able to help an additional fifty residents per day.

Gala Co-Chairs then took the stage to introduce the evening’s honorees, at which point both Vallone and Carrabba provided moving and at times comical stories of their experience in the Houston community and how much the community has given back to them and their restaurants. Honorees were gifted with handmade gold leaf heart awards by Houston artist Barbara Biel.

Guests enjoyed the specially prepared Italian fare of Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Butternut Squash Puree, Braised Short Rib with Basil Pine Nut Risotto, Broccolini and Blistered Tomato, followed by Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta garnished with house-made almond macaroon, fresh seasonal berries and blueberry coulis.

Topping off dinner was a surprise operatic performance by the Three Waiters – waiters that had been serving guests all evening, who were actually the entertainment in disguise. Their rendition of “It’s Now or Never” had every guest twirling and waving their white dinner napkins in the air! The Three Waiters, a professional vocal group with over 14,000 performances in 90 countries and winner of 14 International Awards, serenaded the audience primarily in Italian.

Bravo took the stage once more to kick off a fiercely competitive live auction that included a package from the Astros Foundation of a first pitch, four diamond tickets, batting practice for four with a meet and greet with Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Pena. The live auction also included a “With Gratitude” dinner for 24 at Carrabba’s or Grace’s, along with copies of Johnny Carrabba’s cookbook; a trip for two to Jackson Hole; an Amalfi Truffle Dinner for 12; Champagne, Caviar and Dessert Souffle for eight at Tony’s Restaurant; and an Afarin 18kt White/Yellow/Rose Gold Intertwined Ovals with Diamonds on White Gold Chain Pendant necklace from IW Marks.

Each dinner guest received a Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Card for a makeup party for five with Prosecco, and those with a special stamp on their program picked up an Italian Pandoro Melegatti cake on their way to valet.

The evening was made possible by generous sponsors and underwriters including:

H-E-B, Saks Fifth Avenue, Melegatti, IW Marks, Guillory Real Estate, Frost Bank, Danielle and Tucker Burkhart, Susan and Mark Ryan, Nina and Ed Hendee, Melinda Landsness, Kathleen and Pat Wood III, Pam and Ron Sterlekar, Joyce and Gus Pankonien, and Sybil Roos.

Many thanks and recognition for Niki Smith Little and her team at In Any Event for the exquisite planning, décor, and organization of a successful inaugural event for the Mission of Yahweh.

Special guests on a mission included: Brigitte Kalai, Judge Meg Poissant, Kim Moody, Margaret Barradas, Nikki and Benny Agosto, Blanca Jolly, Regina Rogers, Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre, Cora Sue Mach, Betty Hrncir, Sybil Roos, Lynnette and Jared Davis, Adrienne Crane, Janelle and Greg Reid, the Hon. Susan Soussan, Scott Evans, Eva and Paul Aruffo, Rini Ziegler, Lara Bell, Francesca Harrison, Texas State Senator John Whitmire, Houston City Council Member Amy Peck, District A, Judge Joe Stevens, Hon. David Medina and Judge Pamela Medina.

For more than 60 years, the Mission of Yahweh has focused on restoring hope, transforming lives, and worked tirelessly toward ending homelessness in Houston. Since 1961, the Mission has helped thousands of women and children by providing emergency shelter in a faith-base, nurturing environment while providing programs and support to help them become more independent and lead productive, successful lives. In addition, the Mission provides outreach services to communities in need in the neighborhoods surrounding their facilities.

For information visit https://missionofyahweh.org .