15 YEAR

ANNIVERSARY
LUNCHEON

Thank you for joining us for our 15th Anniversary Luncheon

On behalf of all of us at the Houston Health Foundation, thank you for attending our luncheon on April 11th. We were honored to share the afternoon with you and are so grateful for your support. We truly couldn’t have done it without you!

It was a joy to celebrate our mission together, honor Billy Burge, and share the impact of our Brilliant Futures programs. Your presence helped make the event both meaningful and memorable—and your generosity will help us continue improving the health and wellness of children and families across Houston.

We hope you enjoyed the program, the stories, and the sense of community in the room. here are ways that you can continue stay connected or get involved:

Support Our Work: https://houstonhealthfoundation.org/donate/
Make it Monthly: Help sustain our impact year-round by becoming a monthly donor.
Double Your Gift: Check if your employer offers donation matching and double your impact today.
Honor Someone Special: Make a tribute donation in honor or memory of someone meaningful.

Helyna Bledsoe Thompson,
Host Committee Co-chair

Kirsten Galtney,
Host Committee Co-chair

15 Year Anniversary Luncheon Committees

Host Committee

Helyna Bledsoe, Co-Chair

Kirsten Galtney, Co-Chair

Wendy Lewis Armstrong

Shems Mimi Blomberg

Sukey Fegnolio

Lauren Gray

Ann Mason

Rodney Nathan

Amanda Orr

Joey Romano

Mark Zeidman

Luncheon Committee

Roberta Bentley, Co-Chair

Jeni Burge Delaney, Co-Chair

Wendy Lewis Armstrong

Sukey Fenoglio

Rodney Nathan

Shawn Sellers-Rouege

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson is among the most decorated wide receivers in NFL history. Johnson spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Houston Texans, becoming a seven-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro.

Johnson was the first player to ever have 60 or more catches in each of his first eight seasons. He is one of less than 50 players in league history to go over 10,000 receiving yards in a career.

The Texans drafted him third overall in 2003 out of the University of Miami. While with the Canes, Johnson was co-MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl game, in which the program captured its fifth national championship.

Johnson was inducted into the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. He became the first member of the Texans Ring of Honor in 2017 and was the first player who spent the entirety of his career with the franchise to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

The Basics Houston

As a nationally-recognized affiliate of the Basics Learning Network, The Basics Houston is a collective movement supporting early learning and development. We offer training and resources that integrate five simple principles to foster healthy brain development.

Launched by the Houston Health Department, The Basics Houston aims to improve the quality of life for Houston’s children. With a public health perspective, we focus on family and community while incorporating the latest research to address disparities and implement innovative solutions. Through partnerships, The Basics Houston offers tools and resources to support parents in nurturing their baby’s brain development with love.

See to Succeed

See to Succeed works with over 16 Houston-area school districts in improving the academic performance and social well-being of the region’s most vulnerable children with a vital tool for lifelong health: eyeglasses.

Approximately 80% of a child’s early learning relies on visual processing. Despite this, only 5% to 14% of children receive a comprehensive eye exam before starting school. This is especially true for children from lower-income families and minority communities, who are less likely to have vision problems diagnosed. In fact, 1 in 5 school-aged youth has some sort of vision problem, highlighting the importance of early eye care for a child’s education and development.

Project Saving Smiles

Project Saving Smiles is a vital initiative dedicated to improving the oral health of underserved children in Houston. Through free dental screenings, sealants, fluoride varnish, and oral health education, we are combating tooth decay and breaking down barriers to learning. Our program focuses on at-risk second graders in schools with a high percentage of students enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, ensuring that those most in need receive our services.

By addressing dental issues early, we help prevent serious problems such as pain, infection, and difficulties with concentration. The program also fosters better oral health habits, improves access to care, and tackles disparities among children, connecting them to a long-term dental home for continuous care. Our ultimate goal is to empower every child to smile confidently and thrive in school.

MBK Houston

MBK Houston is a community-driven initiative dedicated to improving outcomes and reducing opportunity gaps for boys and young men, from birth to 24 years old. Through a collaborative approach, we bring together various organizations and individuals to leverage their strengths and resources, working together to implement effective solutions.

Our strategy focuses on fostering partnerships between schools, community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders. By working together, we can address the complex challenges faced by boys and young men of color, such as educational disparities and limited access to opportunities.

First Family Garden

With a particular focus on vulnerable families and children, the Houston Health Foundation’s first family garden was created to provide an opportunity for all community members to build food security systems through collaboration in an urban garden setting. The garden welcomes those who wish to contribute to the collective knowledge and skills of sustainable food networks. By involving children and youth in food production, we help future generations understand the value of fresh produce, develop a love for outdoor activities in a social context, and acquire skills that nourish them for a lifetime.

Our initiative promotes healthy eating by encouraging community gardening and supporting farmers’ markets. By providing access to fresh, affordable produce, we are helping to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families in our communities.

Sustainable funding for sustainable communities

We recognize the importance of establishing sustainable funding in order to sustain our important programs. Our inaugural luncheon will be the first of many to provide needed financial diversification, ensuring our programs will continue to impact more individuals each year.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Strength Sponsor

Kirsten and Rob Galtney

Ann Mason

Helyna Bledsoe and John Thompson

Margaret and Joel Shannon

Care Sponsor

Citgo

Sherry and Tommy Lott

Origin Bank

Additional ways to get involved:

Join Us Again

Be part of our next event by joining the host committee—let’s grow together. Inquiries should be sent to Director of Development, Emily Pauley, at emily.pauley@houstonhealthfoundation.org

Lend Your Time

Explore volunteer or mentoring opportunities—your time can change lives. – Volunteer

Become a Mentor

Become a mentor for My Brother’s Keeper and help guide and inspire young men of color in our community. For more information, contact Chazz Bailey at Chazz.Bailey@houstontx.gov

Schedule a Tour

Sign up to tour our programs and see firsthand the impact we’re making in the community. For more details, contact Emily Pauley at emily.pauley@houstonhealthfoundation.org