HOUSTON, Texas (September 23, 2009) - On the evening of Thursday, September 10, 200 guests gathered to attend the first annual Bytes & Birdies Honors Gala and Cocktail party at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston’s museum district. The event benefited local nonprofit TECH CORPS Texas, and was chaired by Honorary Chairman Denis DeBakey, and Event Co-Chairs Leisa Holland Nelson and Brian Gaubert. Philamena and Arthur Baird were recognized for their years of dedication in support of education in Texas.
The event supported TECH CORPS Texas’ technology education programs and computer redistribution efforts, and sponsors included media partner Health and Fitness Magazine, Arthur and Philamena Baird, Bud Light/Silver Eagle Distributors, Content Active LLC, Pennino and Partners, Bill and Susanne Pritchard, Computer Tech, Tiffany and Co., Melanie Gray, The Capital Grille, Exchange Club of East Dallas, and many other friends and supporters of TECH CORPS Texas.
The evening was emceed by Emmy award winning news anchor, Linda Lorelle, whose own charity, The Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund, was acknowledged as a proud recipient of TECH CORPS Texas’ generosity. “I am happy to be here tonight,” said Lorelle, “TECH CORPS Texas is a non-profit I have worked with and believe in.”
To view more images from the Bytes & Birdies Gala, please click here.
Nationally known tenor Ken Gayle then set the mood with a beautifully delivered version of the inspirational song, “Somewhere over the Rainbow;” a nod to honorees Philamena and Arthur Baird who were recognized for helping make dreams come true through their outstanding community service efforts and dedication to improving the quality of education in Texas.
TECH CORPS Texas President, Danny Perry, thanked guests including city officials, business leaders, community philanthropists and supporters of technology education, and expanded on the organizations ongoing efforts to impact student achievement through technology education programs and the placement of refurbished computers into schools and community organizations. “Know that with your help we can place even more computers, train more students, deploy more volunteers, and help more educators to more effectively use technology in the classroom,” Perry stated.
Guests enjoyed drinks and a pasta dinner provided by the Hotel ZaZa, along with the smooth sounds of jazz band, Oliver Scott and A Taste of Heaven. A raffle followed featuring items donated by Hotel ZaZa, Tiffany and Co., Hewlett Packard, Dry Comal Creek Winery, and Honorary Chair Denis DeBakey was presented a gift basket from Healthy Habbits Organic Foods CoOp.
Bytes and Birdies is a the key fundraising effort for local technology non-profit, TECH CORPS Texas, and all proceeds from the event are used to provide low cost computers, technology education programs, and technology services to underprivileged schools, community organizations, returning military veterans, and other individuals in need.
