JFC Gala 2011...the Sudduth's go Late Night!

Saturday night was the Justice for Children Annual Gala where we put on our finest duds and raised mucho money for a very worthwhile charity that focuses all their attention on getting kids legally away from abusive situations.  Jen is on the National Board of Directors and I've been helping out as a dutiful husband. We even chaired the gala a few years ago. Now, although this is a very serious cause, the Gala is all kinds of fun!  If you want to know more about JFC, click here.  If you'd like to make a donation, every bit is greatly appreciated!

This year's event was held at the Hotel  ZaZa, a very swank, edgy hotel near Herman Park.  It used be the Warwick Hotel.  We checked in at 1:00 for some pool time with all the pretty people.  Unfortunately, I was the fattest guy in the place.  Jen fit in perfectly!  There is nothing more I hate than a bunch of 20 something dudes with washboard abs!  Anyway, we then strapped on our groovy gala wear and headed down to the ballroom.  Lot's of our friends were in attendance and I was even handed a microphone and asked to work the "Big Board Auction", enticing folks to spend a little extra on some cool trips, weird artwork and 1st class plane tickets.  Needless to say, the bar was OPEN!

Yours Truly and my Beautiful Date for the evening

Dinner started with a tomato bisque followed by a huge slug of filet mignon and sides.  The wine was flowing nicely and the silent auction was on fire.  We had two items on the auction tables, a custom shirt / necktie offering and our usual Dinner for 8 at the Sudduth House.  The shirt/tie offering went for $300 and we ended up selling 2 dinners at our house for $400 each.  I'm a little worried about one of the dinners after the winner strongly stated that I would be her "Chef Bitch" for the evening.  Should be interesting!

LoFlo, Jen, Ruthie and Sherri - lookin' awfully fine!

The Cool Calabrese's and the Fabulous Olson's

Who are these ladies?  I'll take a guess that it's Jen and Robin?

Jen and Margaret with JFC Founder - Randy Burton

The Sweeeeeeeeeet's!

Lucky Leitch went home with Airline Tickets!

Hangin' with the Day's...why is she wearing his tie?  Hmmm...

Hugh and his spicey date Tineke

A whole bunch of ladies with their game face on!

Mr. & Mrs. Sakson...helping the kids!  And owners of Kid to Kid in the Galleria!

And then there was the stage show where Yours Truly had to entertain the crowd with not one but two Sinatra renditions of "Fly me to the Moon" and "The way you look tonight".  Several friends congratulated me for having the guts to do it...strangely though, nobody told me how good I sounded!

Fly me to the Moon...let me swing among the stars...

After it was all over, the committee members made their way to the hotel bar for some late night cocktail action.  This was where I made my mistake.  I have a one martini rule that I generally follow, with an addendum to the rule that states that no martini's shall ever be ordered after 1:00 in the a.m.  Both rules were shattered.  We made it to our room about 2:00 and retired to the cool white sheets and a peaceful slumber.

The McCarty's and the martini mistake...

Another Gala down and lots of money raised for a really wonderful cause.  What a great event where we can do such good and have an absolutely swell time to boot.  Thanks to all our wonderful friends for joining us and making a contribution.  Jen and I truly appreciate your continued support of JFC and our cause!