Rotary Club of The Woodlands’ Evening of Elegance Gala celebrates 50 years of service

THE WOODLANDS, TX – More than 300 guests attended Rotary’s Evening of Elegance Gala – “A Night of Stars – Spotlighting 50 Years of Community Service” on February 15 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.

The Hollywood-themed gala welcomed guests with award-show glitz and glamour. Entrances to the reception and dining room were flanked by living Oscar statues that surprised and delighted guests.

This year’s gala paid tribute to a long-time community member and Rotarian, Julie Martineau whose volunteer and professional work have made a profound impact on Montgomery County. The reception featured a scavenger hunt where each guest was given a card and visited four stations to learn more about Rotary. The last station was to meet the honoree where Julie Martineau greeted guests. The cards were punched at each station and put in a drawing to win a Blackstone Griddle.

The Honorable, retired US Congressman Keven Brady welcomed guests and co-emcees Judy Olson and Craig Eissler kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening with banter, trivia about Rotary’s 50 years, and nominations and awards that named Julie Martineau the winner of each award.

Led by co-chairs Brittany Ruzicka and Theresa Wagaman, the elegant event reflected glamour and generosity as guests purchased auction items, played Heads or Tails and donated funds to support Rotary’s mission. "Tonight, we celebrated a legacy of service that we hope will inspire generations to come. Serving our community, as Rotarians, for 50 years is a testament to the power of kindness, community dedication, and the spirit of Rotary,” reflected Theresa Wagaman, event co-chair.

Together, we’ve built a legacy of making a difference – one act of kindness at a time – and look forward to many more years of improving lives and inspiring hope,” remarked Rotary President, Denton Florian.

The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Rotary Club of The Woodlands was established in 1975. The Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’ is based on the Four Pillars: is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, and will it be beneficial to all concerned? To learn more about Rotary’s mission and impact, please visit: www.woodlandsrotary.org.

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