Social Hour: Festive Slay Bells Event Raises Crucial Funds for Friends of the Children Austin

On Saturday, December 2, Friends of the Children Austin hosted a festive fundraiser, Slay Bells, Jammies at Sammie’s, to raise more than $142,000 for the mission and work of Friends Austin.

Slay Bells Co-Chairs Khalida Ali, Laura Gottesman and Linsey Nixon helped to lead the fundraiser, and Gottesman Residential Real Estate served as the Presenting Sponsor. This event provided a fun and merry way to raise crucial support for this nonprofit organization, and kicked off the holiday season with a bang.

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Marilyn Manzo, Nancy Pollard, Lauren Moorman, Linsey Nixon, Laura Gottesman, & Khalida Ali

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Natalie Kopp, Jennifer Welch, Laura Gottesman, Megan Cavazos, & Flora Croswell

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Fredericka Middleton, Bettina Barrow, Jewel Stone, & Maya Nairn

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Friends of the Children Austin festive fundraiser, Slay Bells, Jammies at Sammie’s

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Marilyn Manzo Nancy Pollard, & Caroline Page

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Kari Hernandez & Jessica Leggett

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a festive crowd to support Friends Austin

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custom-designed gingerbread houses were up for raffle

Guests enjoyed delicious drinks and lunch from Sammie’s Italian. All were invited to bid on an assortment of custom-designed and built gingerbread houses and other auction packages. Plus, the event included fun surprise entertainment and prizes. The party offered the guests to stay comfortable while stylish, wearing their most festive pajamas.

About Friends of the Children Austin

Friends Austin’s mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty through professional, salaried, full-time, bilingual mentors (“Friends”), who are paired with children experiencing the greatest challenges in kindergarten, and commit to those children through high school graduation. 12+ years – no matter what. Friends Austin is currently serving 185 children and is the first and only professional mentoring organization in Austin.