KICK OFF PARTY 

Leadership & Honorees 

• 2026 Event Chair: Anna Maria Johnson 

• 2026 Spirit of Allie and Taylor Award: Blaine Stacy, Taylor Willhite, Arin Avila

• Legacy of Love Award: Morgan Hallman 

 

Fundraising & Engagement

1. Bring Back the Gem in the Cupcake Game

• Offer 100 cupcakes at a set price.

• A select number of cupcakes will contain a prize.

• Explore partnering with Deutsch for the game.

• Consider making the prize an opportunity to buy back into the poker tournament.

 

2. Bring Back Kendra Scott

• Invite Kendra Scott to return as a shopping vendor during the event.

 

3. Bring Back the Live Auction

• Feature 3–5 high-value live auction items.

• Identify and secure the best auctioneer for the event.

• Potential live auction items include:

  • Opportunity to Deliver a Laptop: Give a donor the opportunity to personally deliver a laptop to a child.

  • Houston Sports Package: Tickets to all major Houston sports teams.

  • 12 Months of Date Nights: Twelve curated local date-night experiences.

  • Puppy: Confirm whether a puppy can be on-site at the venue.

 

4. Deal for a Difference (Temporary Name) 

• Between each major live auction item, offer a limited piece of original artwork created by a child currently battling cancer.

• HFC will source the artwork from children and families currently receiving services.

• Each artwork will be auctioned individually throughout the live auction.

• Purchasing an artwork earns the buyer an entry into Deal for a Difference, a live card game for the chance to win a larger prize.

• Once all live auction items and artwork have been sold, all Deal for a Difference participants will be invited on stage.

• Players will compete in a quick, fun card game designed to keep the crowd engaged.

• The game will continue through a series of eliminations until three participants remain.

• The final three participants will each receive a prize.

 

5. Bring Back the Live Painter

• Explore bringing back a live painter to create an interactive experience and potential auction opportunity.

 

Top Tournament & Casino Prizes

1. First Place Tournament Prize

• Explore awarding funds toward entry into the World Series of Poker.

• HFC and Helena will research the legality, logistics, and feasibility of making this happen.

 

2. Second–Ninth Place Tournament Prizes

• Prioritize experiences over physical items.

• Potential prizes include:

  • Private chef experiences

  • Trips or getaways

  • Premium poker set

  • Other unique local experiences

 

3. Casino Prizes

• Bring back prizes tied to casino play to encourage guests to continue participating throughout the event.

• Consider prizes that increase engagement and incentivize continued play.

 

Event Layout

1. Maintain Last Year’s Event Flow

• The overall event flow worked well and should remain the foundation for this year’s event.

 

2. Create a More Social Dinner Environment

• Incorporate more high-top cocktail tables than traditional seated dinner tables.

• Add lounge seating to create additional opportunities for guests to socialize and connect.

 

3. Make the Casino a Focal Point

• Position casino games in a prominent, highly visible location.

• Create energy around the casino and encourage guests to continue playing throughout the evening.

 

Program & Event Flow

1. Teen Speaker

• Continue featuring a teen speaker.

• The personal perspective and impact of the speaker is a powerful part of the event.

 

2. Preferred Event Flow

• Cocktail Hour

• Dinner

• Live Auction & Fundraising Activities

• Uninterrupted Poker & Casino Play

 

3. Keep the Momentum Going

• Complete the major fundraising moments before transitioning into uninterrupted play.

• Use interactive games, Deal for a Difference, and entertainment throughout the program to keep guests engaged.