Houston Police K9s Get Needed Boost As Beloved Jeweler Shines Spotlight – Franco Valobra Stands Up for Dogs

WWhat’s a fundraising chair to do when her plane is stuck in South Carolina for untold hours and she totally misses her event? You just have to ask Lexi Sakowitz-Marekwho with her husband Mike Marek chaired the 13th Annual K9s4COPs “Unleashed” Gala.

The astute Compass realtor took out her smartphone and recorded a greeting for attendees that organizers screened at the start of the party at the Goode Company Armadillo Palace.

(For the record, the couple was in South Carolina for a Vinson & Elkins partners meeting with no absences.)

The Western-flavored fundraiser went as planned without them, with the winner Franco Valobra in the spotlight, recognized for his longtime support of the nonprofit and Houston (and New Orleans) first responders. More than 150 Houston area police officers, philanthropists, elected officials and K9s4COPS patrons supported the friendly jeweler.

Among them was Kristi Schiller, who founded the nonprofit in 2010 after learning from a television report that a Houston police officer had lost his canine partner and there were no funds to replace him. She reached into her own pocket to replace the German Shepherd K9. Since 2011, K9s4COPs has provided over 300 canine officers to various law enforcement agencies.

The Denim, Diamonds and Dogs theme inspired rodeo chic looks and comfortable western outfits. The diamond aspect played an important role in the live auction for which Valobra provided a diamond bracelet worth over $10,000. Add unique experiences and trips to offers.

Everyone dined on traditional barbecue dishes that Goode Company is known for and danced their calories to the sounds of The Guzzlers.

PC seen: Sinclair Schiller, Roxanne And David Deleone, Cathy And Giorgio Borlenghi, Iléana And Michael Trevino, Kelly King, David Theobald, Preston And Ollabelle Hall, Christina And David McAllen, Whitney And Marc Lawson, Taylor Roccaforte, Madeline Pollack, Kathy And Paul Mann, Kristen Cannon, Ann Wismer, And Chris Rylant.