Jazz and Jewels Gala

Badiha Nassar and Linda Byrd welcomes guests as they arrive for check in. Assistance League President Charlene Donovan, center, thanks Event Chairman Sharon Guzzino, left, and Vice Chairman Kathleen Courville for a beautiful fundraising event Sandra Kelver and Linda Kelly selling raffle tickets to attendees

Jazz and Jewels light up Assistance League gala

By Mary Aly Cherry

Take some stunning pieces of jewelry and mix them with the exciting music of a jazz trio and you have the makings of an unforgettable Assistance League of the Bay Area fundraiser.

The popular nonprofit that provides vital resources to children and adults in the Bay Area, recently held its annual fundraising gala, a “Jazz and Jewels” brunch and jewelry style show, at the NASA Clear Lake Hilton hotel. Funds raised at the sold-out event will supplement income from the award-winning Resale Shop, as well as grants, gifts, and donations to the chapter.

The exciting brunch event included a jazz trio, a charming performance by Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre, and a jewelry style show and raffle. Assistance League members Badiha Nassar,

Laura Schreiber, Betty Suagee, Shirley Lang, Lynn Bell, LaBita Boddie, Izella Dornell, Dawn Duncan, Carole Eitzen, Doris Jones, Jan Grover,

Marie Keener and Cindy Senger Lewis modeled some stunning jewelry pieces from Frank’s & Sons Jewelry, Lewis Jewelers, Karat Creations, James Avery, Unique Jewels, The Clothes Horse Boutique, The Little Pink Bag,and Kendra Scott. Additional sponsors were Amoco Federal Credit Union, HEB, Bay Area Printing, and Oh What Fun.

Each of the tables was named for a famous jazz musician with Jill Williams, Katie Jones,

Cindy Canino, Peggy Heimrich, Cindi Pribee, Jeri Knapp, Angie Weinman and Sheila Cooper

sitting at the Duke Ellington table and Jim and

Charlene Donovan, Mike and Marie Keener, Shirley Lang, Dana Wordell, Rebecca Saavedra

and Perri Fox at the Ella Fitzgerald table while

Jennie Hampton, Delores Chapman, Debbie Thomas, Betty Puryear, Cindy Castille, Kim

Bautoch, and Jan and Paul Glover sat at the Nat King Cole table.