Led by Gala Chairs Rachael and Jason Volz, The 2014 Promise Ball, Imagine The Night, was truly an evening to remember.  Emceed by KPRC Local 2’s Rachel McNeill, the JDRF Houston Chapter welcomed over 800 guests the Hilton Americas Houston on Saturday, March 29 for an evening of hope and promise filled with surprise and wonder for guests.  From a silent and live auction that featured the best around Houston and beyond, to over the top entertainment – including an aerialist performance in the ballroom – to beautiful event décor designed by A Fare Extraordinaire, to delicious food and drink, and a rocking performance by The Mars Hill Band that kept guests on the dance floor until late in the night, this year’s Promise Ball was truly one to remember.  Due to the generosity of the event’s sponsors, underwriters and guests, the 2014 Promise Ball exceeded budget, raising over $1.3 million for JDRF-funded research.

This year’s event honored the tremendous support of corporate champion, Amegy Bank, for their strong partnership and passion for JDRF’s mission to cure type 1 diabetes.  The Promise Ball also honored the past, present and future of JDRF Advocacy and honorees Meredith Cocke, Melinda Rose, Carol Rowley and Judy Haley’s dedication to JDRF’s advocacy efforts over the last several years.  After a silent and live auction that busted chapter records bringing in more than $320,000, guests were moved by this year’s Fund A Cure video featuring Charlie Amis, who at 5 years old has been living with type 1 diabetes since he was diagnosed at 10 months old.  So inspired by Charlie’s courageous spirit in the face of type 1 diabetes, the evening’s generous guests raised nearly $500,000 in the ballroom for Fund A Cure – donations that will go 100% directly towards research.

“This magical night reinforced the extremely philanthropic nature of the City of Houston” said Executive Director, Kristen Stubbs.  “JDRF couldn’t be more proud to be on the receiving end of the outpouring of love and support from so many of Houston’s finest citizens.”

A special thanks to the 2014 Promise Ball Sponsor Hagans, Burdine, Montgomery, Rustay P.C., 2014 Corporate Honoree Amegy Bank, Honorees Judy Haley, Meredith Cocke, Carol Rowley and Melinda Rose, Gala Chairs Rachael and Jason Volz, Auction Chairs Charity Todd and Ashley Petersen, JDRF Houston Board President Marshall Lang, guests U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Congressman John Culberson, and more than 200 volunteers who helped make this year’s event a smashing success.