Bellaire resident Martin B. Cominsky, CEO of Interfaith Ministries, served as Co-Sr. Captain at the 8th Annual Wags & Whiskers Brunch and Pet Fashion Show. The virtual “Jet Set Pets” themed event raised more than $70,000 for the Animeals program that provides free pet food and vet care to 1,300 dogs and cats of Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels homebound seniors.
Wheels were up as more than 200 philanthropic animal lovers took flight with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston crew to the 8th Annual Wags & Whiskers Brunch and Pet Fashion Show with Event Chair M.A. Shute as the Captain on Saturday, May 8, 2021.
Using its home-delivered meals expertise, Interfaith Ministries’ team of Meals on Wheels drivers delivered a carry-on lunch from Phoenicia Specialty Foods for guests to enjoy at home similar to what they do for homebound seniors in its Meals on Wheels program. The brunch menu included an entrée salad with the choice of hill country fried chicken, salmon or falafel. For dessert, guests were treated to a tart, baklava or cake balls. The boxed meal also included a mini baguette, olive oil, Zorhab’s olive oil dipping mix, and a bottle of Prosecco donated by Total Wine.
Guests at home donned their best jet set or vintage attire along with Delta Airlines slippers, which were included in their carry-on. Interfaith Ministries Board Chair and Co-Sr. Captain Jay Harberg prepared guests with virtual boarding passes to fly to the Brunch and Pet Fashion Show while Lead Flight Attendant Casey Curry served as Emcee and welcomed guests on board to fly on Jet Set Pet Airline, Flight 2021.
From the “All Pets Fed Airport”, Curry introduced Co-Sr. Captain Martin B. Cominsky, Interfaith Ministries’ President and CEO, who took guests on a tour of Interfaith Ministries’ four pillars of services. A heart-felt invocation was offered by the Rev. Gregory Han, Director of Interfaith Relations and Education. Animeals supporters heard from Animeals on Wheels seniors and volunteers. Interfaith Ministries’ Chief Development Officer and Flight Attendant Maria Magee encouraged guests to take action and fund a need to make a difference in the lives of homebound seniors and their furry companions.
Before taking flight, guests were invited to virtually chat and mingle with one another during a pre-flight reception via Zoom and enjoy some “duty-free shopping” during the online auction and raffle for a chance to win a trip to Pelican Reef Villas in Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Puppy love and cat fever took over the internet when viewers watched jet set pets on the runway of a lifetime during the “pupular” Pet Fashion Show at the Lone Star Flight Museum. The title of Animeals “Top Pet” from the fashion show judged by local media judges was awarded to Rachel Feiertag with Zim (cat) and Kuma (dog). Viewers swooned over Coco and pet parent Ali Al Sudani, Interfaith Ministries’ Chief Programs Officer, who won the People’s Choice Award.
Photos available via Dropbox
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
Animal lovers who supported Animeals and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston included:
Aviators Host Committee: Dr. Vasant Garg, Tyler Juergens, Paula Sutton and Nadia Tajalli.
Media judges for the pet fashion show included: Michelle Mantor, PetTalk Magazine; Lara Bell, Swoon Magazine; Freddy Cruz, 104.1 KRBE; Steven Devadanam, CultureMap; Connie Kwan-Wong, CKW Luxe Magazine; and Sarah Leftwich, Houston Modern Luxury.
The Brunch was made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Fred G. Marshall in loving memory of his wife Linda, Marian & Paul Cones, Brigitte & Bashar Kalai, Charlene Chuang, Gulf Coast Veterinary Services, Edward & Helen Oppenheimer Foundation, Polly & David Roth, M.A. Shute, Nadia Tajalli & Dr. Shahin Tavackoli, Dr. Kim Tran & Dr. Vasant Grant, Total Wine & More, Gayle Christie, Beth & Peter Cook, Karen & Jay Harberg, W. Barry Kahn, Marilyn D. Sumner, and E. Chrissy Tate.
ABOUT INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON
A United Way agency, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Interfaith Ministries) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs. Interfaith Ministries provides four main services: Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County delivers more than two million meals each year to nearly 5,000 homebound seniors and people with disabilities across five counties; Refugee Services, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department and Episcopal Migration Ministries, resettles hundreds of refugees in Houston annually; Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships provides community services and education fostering understanding, respect and engagement among Houstonians of all faiths and no particular faith; and Volunteer Houston connects volunteers in transformative projects with area nonprofits. For more information, visit https://www.imgh.org/.
