Heroes Gala Breaks Historic Records
On Friday, March 24th, more than 550 guests attended our annual “Heroes Among Us” Gala at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Thanks to the outpouring of support from our many donors, we were able to raise almost $900,000 to help support the growth of the Kickstart Kids program.
The event was chaired by our founders Chuck and Gena Norris along with longtime supporters Keith and Alice Mosing and Jason and Courtney Fertitta. Mr. and Mrs. Norris honored former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush with the Founders’ Vision Award for their crucial support in helping launch the Kickstart Kids organization more than 25 years ago.
Mike King and Laura True were also honored with the Chuck and Gena Norris Character Award for their continued support of Kickstart Kids among their other philanthropic endeavors. Watch Mike and Laura’s recent visit to local Paul Revere Middle School below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlqgwRh_4-c
Kickstart Kids Instructors of the Year were recognized with special awards presented by Chuck and Gena Norris along with their Regional Director and Kickstart Kids Chief Director of Operations John Kurek. The Instructors of the Year were Jessica Hellman(North Texas), Jonathon Gartmann (Central Texas), Chelsea Clark (Southeast Texas), and Wade Jenkins (Southeast Texas).
The highlight of the evening was the karate demonstration created by Derrick Stinson featuring Kickstart Kids students, instructors, and alumni showcasing the Evolution of a Kickstart Kid. Students from Sartartia Middle School, Dulles Middle School, and Stevenson Middle School performed for guests alongside our Legacy Team. You can watch the whole performance at the link below.
Heartfelt testimonials from Kickstart Kids instructor Megan Thorp and Frank Black Middle School principal Paolo Castagnoli reminded all in attendance of the profound impact Kickstart Kids has on all those it reaches. Mark your calendars for next year’s gala which will be the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Kickstart Kids and will be held on April 27, 2018.
A special thank you goes out to all of our sponsors who made the night such an amazing success.
PLATINUM HERO SPONSORS
Stephen & Mary Birch Foundation
Frank’s International
Mosing Properties
Total Gym
GOLD HERO SPONSORS
The Bill & Sherry Berry Foundation
John P. McGovern Foundation
Mercury One, Inc.
Tech-Long
SILVER HERO SPONSORS
Gail & Greg Garland
Elizabeth & John Gibson
Jana & John S. Arnoldy / Cathy & Joe Cleary / Courtney & Jason Fertitta /
Brenda Love-Jones & Ed Jones /Diane & Geoffrey Perrin / Kim & Dan Tutcher
BRONZE HERO SPONSORS
Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers, Inc.
Georgia & Thomas Barnett
Linda & Willie Chiang
Mike Ingram / El Dorado Holdings
Mike King / Palletized Trucking, Inc.
Marilyn & Rex King
Matthews, Lawson, McCutcheon & Joseph, PLLC
Laura True / Aquaocean Transport
Morgan Stanley
Jane & Harry Pefanis
Kathy & Glenn Pierce
Rick Sharrock
ShowBiz Cinemas
SPECIAL THANKS
Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design
Crime Stoppers of Houston
Alex Forshey
Francisco + Co
Larry Hatfield /
Eagle Investigation & Protection Services
Harcourt & Kaufman Architects, LLC
In Any Event
KUBE TV
Momentum Printing
North Texas Crime Commission
Operation Blue Shield
Rachel’s Challenge
