Charity and Philanthropy

CHILD ADVOCATES

Brown Hand Center and The Dr. Michael G. Brown Helping Hands Foundation were pleased to support Child Advocates in their 16th annual PULL FOR KIDS CLASSIC- RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT. The day’s event honoring Arthur Gochman and Academy Sports and Outdoors was held at the American Shooting Center sporting clays range. Michael G. Brown, M.D., Mr. Manny Guyot, Dr. Randolph Lopez, Dr. Mark Khoursandi, and Mr. Roland Saucedo joined over a group of over 300 sporting clays participants. That evening over 700 guests enjoyed a night of mambo and salsa amidst live and silent auctions benefiting Child Advocates. Mr. Gochman presented an award for his long time support of the event and Child Advocates. He gave a poignant and inspirational acceptance speech emphasizing that “anyone” can do well in The United States of America, especially with a little help when needed. A mother and daughter who experienced firsthand the kindness of Child Advocates thanked the audience for their support then encouraged the guests to fill out a child sponsor card for the coming year. Hands holding child sponsor cards went up throughout the Reliant Arena as attendees donated to the children and families in need. The event was under the leadership of Cherie and Alan Hassenflu with the support of returning chairs Jeff Birmingham, Sarah Wilbanks, Rachel Owens, Nolan Lehmann, and Sheryl and Joel Androphy. Child Advocates, Inc. provides needed care to some of the most severely abused children and has helped more than 14,000 children. Some of the children are in truly heartbreaking situations and in great need of help from the kindness of others. As Child Advocates point out, their service depends on the benevolence of others so to support this extremely worthwhile cause go to www.childadvocates.org.

Left to right:  Dr. Mark Khoursandi, Dr. Michael G. Brown, Founder (retired), Chairman and CEO, Dr. Randolph Lopez, Mr. Manny Guyot, Senior Vice-President, and Roland Saucedo

AWTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GALA

The magnificent Corinthian in downtown Houston was this year’s venue for the Awty International School’s annual gala and fundraiser.  Dr. and Mrs. Michael G. Brown as well as Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Dang have children who attend Awty.  They, accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Randolph Lopez and Senior Vice-President Manny Guyot and Sandy Williamson lent their fervent support to this cause which is so dear to their hearts.  Auction items included trips to Monaco, Puerto Vallarta and other destinations as bids sored raising funds for this prestigious school whose students hale from around the globe.  The Awty school is regarded as among Houston’s finest and graduates, who typically are accepted to the nations finest universities,  have gone on to become influential leaders in society.

The spectacular Corinthian…one of Houston’s grandest venues

AIDS FOUNDATION HOUSTON, INC.

The Michael G. Brown M. D. Helping Hands Foundation made a donation to AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. on Wednesday, March 12. The foundation assists more than 100,000 Houstonians each year with services such as housing, food, medical care, education, counseling, pediatric programs, and job training. Dr. and Mrs. Brown presented a check to Kelly McCann, Chief Executive Officer of AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. at The Brown Hand Center on Dacoma Street in Northwest Houston.

AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving nearly 6,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS in greater Houston. “It is our pleasure to support an organization that helps Houstonians living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. The AIDS Foundation is a vital force in increasing awareness of the condition throughout the Houston area,” says Hand Center founder, Dr. Michael G. Brown.

Since 1982, AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. has taken the lead in HIV/STD prevention efforts. Its special initiatives target groups such as the gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender communities, adolescents and incarcerated and recently-released offenders.  For more information on AFH, please visit www.AIDShelp.org.

AMSCHWAND SARCOMA FOUNDATION

Tom Amschwand founded the Amschwand Sarcoma Foundation after the loss of his mother Kathryn with the goal of educating the public about sarcoma, supporting those with the disease, and encouraging research.  The ASCF has enjoyed many fundraisers  since its inception in 2001 however this event was the first annual Catwalk for a Cure in Houston on September 28, 2007.  Celebrity models walked the catwalk at the Corinthian in downtown Houston.  A silent and live auction raised funds for the ASCF.

Michael G. Brown, M.D.  (Founder, Brown Hand Center; Chairman and CEO Surgeon’s Management, Inc., Brown Hand Center) were joined by Senior Vice President Mr. Manny Guyot and Ms. Sandy Williamson in support of this worthwhile cause.  For more information on the ASCF or to contribute, go to http://www.sarcomacancer.org.

BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE HUFFINGTON CENTER ON AGING

Established by Ambassador Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington in 1988, the HCOA is considered one of the premier centers in the world and continues to support research on aging and longevity.  Ambassador Roy Huffington, an example of health and fitness at 90 years of age, was on stage at the Women’s Health Summit held at River Oaks Country Club on October 24, 2007.  He presented the Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award for Living with Grace and Distinction to the late Estee Lauder for her exemplary life of pioneering achievement in business.  Her granddaughter Aerin Lauder, now head of corporate marketing, accepted the award on Estee Lauder’s behalf.  The event was co-hosted by Virginia Reisman and Jan Carson and raised $210,000.  Michael G. Brown, M.D. were pleased to support the event as a corporate sponsor.  Joining at their table were Ms. Sharon Frank, Health & Fitness Magazine, Ms. Stefani Twyford, President, Legacy Multimedia, Mr. Bob Ludwick, Publisher, the Pohly Company, Mr. Jack Miller, the Pohly Company, Mr. Manny Guyot, Senior Vice President Surgeon’s Management, Inc., Ms. Sandy Williamson, and Mr. Joel Salinas, Vice President of Operations Surgeon’s Management, Inc. and his wife Laura.  The evening before the luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club, Dr. and Mrs. Brown, along with Mr. Manny Guyot and Ms. Sandy Williamson, were pleased to attend “An Evening With Aerin Lauder” at the Memorial home of hosts Gita Saberioon and Anooshea Saberioon Taghdisi.  For more information on the Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Center on Aging or to contribute, go to http://www.HCOA.org.

FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER HOUSTON
Established in 1904, this worthy organization touched the lives of more than 59,000 individuals and families alone in 2007 through its counseling, education, and support services.  The organization’s first President, Mrs. E.N. Gray set an ambitious mandate of helping others help themselves, helping children in need, helping workers find employment, and preventing street begging and vagrancy.  Mrs. Gray wanted better hospitals in Houston.  She enlisted the assistance of Mr. George Hermann for donations for what would become Hermann Hospital.  On November 9, 2007, the 10th anniversary celebration of Festari for Men’s “Una Notte in Italia” was held at the Hilton Post Oak where celebrity male models took the catwalk in a fashion presentation from Festari.  The 2007 event, hosted annually by Rudy and Debbie Festari, raised over $300,000.  Michael G. Brown, M.D. supported this event and were joined at their table by Tabatha and Randy Lopez, M.D., Mr. Manny Guyot and Ms. Sandy Williamson, Ms.Wendy Reeves (Houston Health & Fitness Magazine) and Scott Tichavsky, Ms. Laura Pennino, social columnist, and Ms. Jaime Roark.  For more information or to contribute to Family Services of Houston, go to www.familyservices.org.

TOYS FOR TOTS
The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys in October, November, and December each year and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children as a gift of hope, intended to encourage them to grow to become responsible and productive citizens and leaders of society.

The entire staff of Surgeon’s Management, Inc., The Brown Hand Center, and related companies are proud to participate in this annual drive.

Surrounded by their children at the annual company Christmas party for Surgeon’s Management, Inc. and related companies, on December 14, 2007  Michael G. Brown, M.D., founder of The Brown Hand Center, and his wife Rachel presented a $25,000 check to Captain John Campbell and Sergeant Larry Gauthier of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.  Captain Campbell explained that with this help the Toys for Tots outreach in Houston doubled its goal and was able to reach 20,000 children instead of the anticipated 10,000 children.  When the Toys for Tots representative asked “What is Santa Claus bringing you for Christmas,” the little boy from Aldine’s Kenneth D. Black Elementary School answered “Santa doesn’t come to my house.”  On Wednesday, December 19, 2007, Captain John Campbell distributed toys to all 600 children grades kindergarten through 4th grade  explaining that this was made possible by the donation from Dr. Brown and the employees of The Brown Hand Center and related companies.

Dr. Brown was awarded the United States Marine Corps Commander’s Award for his philanthropic work with the Toys for Tots organization in 2007.

A note from Michael G. Brown, M.D.:

I thank God for the blessing of being able to give to others. 
I thank all of the employees of SMI, Inc. and related companies for their participation in the Toys for Tots toy drive.  These toys let children know people care.  They get hope and inspiration that not only brings joy to difficult lives but also encourages them to strive for a place in life where they can help others. 
I sincerely encourage all medical professionals and business owners to participate in the Toys for Tots program.  Like so many, I once thought such a high profile organization must have plenty of help.  I was shocked to learn that the modest donation from our organization doubled the number of children Toys for Tots was able to reach in Houston.  I had the honor of talking to this group of fourth graders and telling them to never give up no matter how difficult or unfair life is, to follow their conscience that always tells them wrong from right, and that they could achieve anything they set their mind to with hard work and God’s blessing.  I expressed to them that they were important, that they mattered and that people care.  Please support Toys for Tots and thank you to Captain John Campbell and Sergeant Larry Gauthier for their tireless work for this worthy cause.

Michael G. Brown, M.D.
December 31, 2007

STAR OF HOPE MISSION
Established in 1907 the Star of Hope Mission, a Christ centered organization, has helped the homeless.  Each day over 900 men, women, and children are helped with the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter as well as structured recovery programs.  The Emergency Shelters and Transitional Living Centers touches the lives of more than 7000 homeless people are touched each year including over1600 children.  In 1906 Reverend Pevoto and Evangelist Mordecai Ham formed the first shelter for homeless men in Houston.  The Star of Hope Mission was born on July 1, 1907 and today is one of the biggest shelters in Houston.  Richard Dowling was appointed as the first director. The Mission was originally in a two-story building on Franklin Street then relocated to Congress Street and later to La Branch where the ministry continued from 1955 to 2000.  The Women and Family Emergency Shelter is on Dowling, The Transitional Living Center is located on Ardmore.  The Doris and Carloss Morris Men’s Development Center opened in 2000, and the June Waggoner House of Hope Day Care Center opened in 2004 at the Dowling street location.  The Star of Hope Mission is truly one God’s greatest answers to Houstonian’s prayers to help and spiritually uplift those in need.  The Mission will continue to feed, cloth, and house those who would simply go without for many years to come.
 
The entire staff of Surgeon’s Management, Inc., The Brown Hand Center, and related companies extend a helping hand each holiday season collectively through food donations and personally through monetary donations. The Brown children have visited the Mission and gained a unique life perspective, appreciation and respect for others, that would have been difficult to instill by merely spoken words. They have donated toys this Holiday season to give to those at the Star of Hope.  We strongly encourage others to contribute.  For more information or to contribute, go to http://www.sohmission.org.

On Monday, December 17, 2007 Dr. Michael G. Brown (Founder, The Brown Hand Center), along with their children Raquel and Max, delivered two tons of food to the Star of Hope along with a $25,000 check presented to Marilyn Fountain, Manager, Community Relations, and Mr. Scott Arthur, Director of Public Relations.  Santa joined them as they made the delivery to Star of Hope’s Ardmore Street location.