Houston Police Foundation lands big bucks
The annual True Blue Gala benefiting the Houston Police Foundation has never been short on spectacle. And this year’s event, relocated to Landry’s privateHobby Airport hangar after four years at and
home, followed tradition.
With active runways as a backdrop, 600 casually dressed partygoers, most in jeans and the color blue per the evening’s theme, filed through the cavernous indoor/ outdoor space, and enjoyed several intriguing activities during cocktail hour. Various HPD departments set
Paige Tilman Fertitta’s
up stations around the venue, allowing guests to snip wires with the bomb squad; chat up snipers; take a helicopter ride; and fire a taser gun in target practice.
Mingling among the crowd, Mayor and
especially engagedwith the goings- on. Themayor cheered on her partner as the SWAT team helpedHubbard rappel from the hangar’s rafters, then made brief remarks onstage. “I have not gone to the DWI van,” Parker joked of another interactive activity on offer. “It would not be a good night to blow.”
Meanwhile, as attendees
Parker
Annise KathyHubbardwere
finished dinner — a buffet- style “greatest hits” array from Landry’s restaurants such as The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Morton’s The Steakhouse andMcCormick & Schmick’s— startling shots rang out to signal more entertainment, a surprise skit inwhich lawyer and former NFL player
Charles Johnson Jr.
was held up at gunpoint, followed by a dramatic “shootout.”
The True Blue soiree — chaired once again by the Fertittas, who arrived by helicopter— honored and
and raised more than $ 500,000. Proceeds will be used
Sheridan John EddieWilliams,
to provide training and equipment for theHouston Police Department.
Among the movers and shakers: Houston Police Chief
CharlesMcClelland, Maria Bush, Hannah CalMcNair, Paul Somerville,
and
Galveston Police Chief