Heart of Gold Luncheon: Celebrating Opportunity

Held at The Thompson Houston Hotel on October 28, 2025, the luncheon was attended by 325 guests and raised donations to support BakerRipley’s community centers and the programs that help families across Greater Houston earn, learn, belong, and be well.

The event was hosted by FOX 26 Anchor Denise Middleton, who guided guests through a heartfelt program of stories, recognition, and impact that reflected BakerRipley’s mission in action.

Guests enjoyed a curated menu from The Thompson Houston Hotel that began with an Endive Salad. The main course offered Braised Beef Short Ribs, served with horseradish whipped potatoes and grilled broccolini. A vegetarian option, Eggplant Neapolitan, was paired with a warm tabbouleh salad, butternut squash purée, grilled asparagus, and roasted baby carrots. For dessert, guests were treated to alternating plates of Chocolate Marquis Cake and Raspberry White Chocolate Gateau.

A lifelong advocate for Houston’s workforce and labor community, Clyde Fitzgerald has dedicated decades to creating access and equity for working families.

For years, Sam Zavary and his team at Exclusive Furniture have exemplified what it means to be true corporate partners, extending comfort and care to families across Houston.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s career in public service reflects an unwavering belief in opportunity for all, continuing the legacy of civic leader Felix Fraga.

A steady force for good, Gwen Emmett has spent her life uplifting others through compassion, leadership, and quiet strength.

BakerRipley President and CEO Claudia Aguirre delivered an inspiring keynote titled “Setting the Table of Opportunity,” using a custom-designed BakerRipley tablecloth as a powerful metaphor for the organization’s mission. As she set the table piece by piece, placing plates, silverware, glasses, and chairs, she illustrated how BakerRipley supports more than half a million Neighbors each year through early education, workforce training, disaster recovery, small business support, citizenship services, and community connection.

Each place at the table represented a story and a possibility: a child learning, a parent seeking stability, an entrepreneur launching a dream, a veteran rebuilding home, and a senior finding community. The chairs symbolized those who make this work possible, including Neighbors, volunteers, civic leaders, funders, partners, and the BakerRipley team. All are essential to creating a table filled with opportunity.

Claudia closed with a call to action that resonated across the room: “Today, I invite YOU. Take your place.”

Throughout the program, guests heard moving stories that showed the power of opportunity in action. One highlight was the journey of Peregrine Chapman, who built Fresh Tails Mobile Dog Grooming with support from BakerRipley’s Entrepreneur Connection program. Her experience showed how access to guidance, resources, and community can help a dream grow into a thriving business.

Each story underscored BakerRipley’s mission to connect people to opportunity and empower them to lead change in their own communities.

During her remarks, BakerRipley Board Chair Irma Diaz-Gonzalez, Chair of the BakerRipley Board of Directors, introduced guests to the 1907 Giving Society, a new way for individuals to connect more deeply with BakerRipley’s mission. Named for the year BakerRipley was founded, the 1907 Giving Society recognizes individuals who make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more. Members join a community of changemakers dedicated to building a stronger Greater Houston through sustained generosity.

Special thanks were given to Brittany and Coalter Baker, who serve as Honorary Chairs of the 1907 Giving Society.