Heritage Award Dinner Raises $3.3 Million For Houston’s At-Risk Children

HOUSTON—On Thursday, Nov.8 the annual Heritage Award Dinner benefiting Boys and Girls Country (BGC) of Houston raised $3.3 million toward providing a loving home for more than 100 at-risk children and young adults. The event was held at the Hilton Americas Hotel and attracted more than 1,000 guests, including Houston’s influential philanthropists, business owners and newly re-elected Senator Ted Cruz. The event featured stories of the impact the charity makes on children’s lives, a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions and entertainment by Jay Leno.

This year’s event honored Kim and Robert Marlings’ achievements, both professionally and in their personal lives, which have made a long-term impact on the lives of so many in the Greater Houston community, across the country and for the kids of Boys and Girls Country. Robert Marling is the Chairman and CEO of Woodforest Financial Group, Inc., a community bank with a corporate culture of community service and giving back. In 2005, the Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created with an initial gift of $1,000,000 from Woodforest National Bank. Kim Marling became the first Executive Director of the foundation and continues to oversee its growth and donations today as its Executive Vice President. Both Woodforest National Bank and Woodforest Charitable Foundation have been steadfastly committed to providing funding for Boys and Girls Country.

The honorees presented a generous gift of $1 million to BGC which was met with a standing ovation. This donation will be used to ensure that Houston’s at-risk children who are living with families in crisis have a safe and loving home in which to grow and thrive.

“The children and young adults who call BGC home have faced challenges that our children will never experience. This organization helps each child to overcome obstacles and find love in those who surround them and become their family,” shared Mrs. Marling during their award acceptance speech.

“We are so blessed to have such a big family of supporters who join us every year to commemorate the outstanding impact they make on the future of Houston’s children. None of this would be possible without our underwriters, volunteers and guests who choose to invest their time and resources into growing children for life,” shared Vince Duran, executive director of Boys and Girls Country.

Major underwriters of the event included the Gatewood Family Foundation, American First National Bank, Hugesen Polymers USA, L.P., Genis Holdings, LLC, Herr Family, Stephens Family, Amegy Bank, Sim-Tex, L.P., Paul and Staci Sorensen, Southwestern Energy, Carrin and Bill Way and Woodforest Charitable Foundation. For more information about Boys and Girls Country, visit www.boysandgirlscountry.org.  
Since 1971, Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc. (BGC) has cared for 1,469 children and young adults in need. Their mission is to change the lives of children from families in crisis by loving and nurturing them in a Christian home environment, raising them to become self-sustaining and contributing adults.