Operation Smile Houston

The link to view all the photos from the Operation Smile Gala!
Thank you everyone for an unforgettable night filled with love, laughter, and purpose. Together, we’re bringing more smiles to children around the world.

9th Annual Houston Operation Smile Gala Photo collection by Operation Smile

Thank you for an Unforgetable night. Together, we raised over $650K in support of Operation Smile - a truly incredible achievement made possible by each and everyone of you. Here are photos from the red carpet- please feel free to tag yourself and your friends (part 1)

HOUSTON, THANK YOU FOR $650k!!!
What an unforgettable night, together we raised $650,000 for Operation Smile! We are truly grateful for everyone who showed up, supported, and helped make this incredible evening possible.

Congratulations to all our amazing honorees and chairs who helped bring this mission to life:
Honoring:
Laura & Dave Ward – John Connor Humanitarian Award
Tena Lundquist Faust & Tama Lundquist – Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award
Julia Dang – Hoang & Merchant Philanthropy Legacy Award
Brooke Burke & Family – Founders Circle Award

Houston Gala Co-Founders:
Viet Hoang & Sneha Merchant

2025 Gala Co-Chairs:
Stacey Lindseth & April McGee

2025 Auction Co-Chairs:
Lara Bell, Kristen J. Cannon & Whitney Kuhn Lawson

Performances by:
Sierra Sky Fisher & Bulbo the Band

Award Sponsor
Lladró

Print Sponsor
Houston Sign Company

A huge thank you to Brooke Burke & Family for your heartfelt support, and to the incredible Operation Smile team and volunteers for making this year’s gala such a success.

What a night, what a community! $650,000!!! raised to help create more smiles around the world! 💛

Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy: Operation Smile’s Honoree Kickoff at BALMAIN
On May 21, we hosted a beautiful Honoree Kickoff Reception for the 2025 Operation Smile Houston Gala at the stunning BALMAIN Boutique at River Oaks District. Over 70 guests gathered for a night of purpose, community, and celebration.

This year’s gala will be held on September 27, 2025, and promises to be our biggest yet — with incredible honorees, unforgettable experiences, and a powerful mission at its heart.

We’re thrilled to officially announce our 2025 Operation Smile Houston Gala Honorees:

John Connor Humanitarian Award – Laura and Dave Ward
Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award – Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist
Hoang & Merchant Philanthropy Legacy Award – Julie Dang
Founders Circle Award – Brooke Burke and the Burke Family

This year marks nine years of leadership for our Houston Gala Co-Chairs, Sneha Merchant and Viet Hoang, who have helped raise over $3.5 million for Operation Smile. In recognition of their legacy, the Hoang & Merchant Philanthropy Legacy Award will now be presented annually at a national level to individuals who exemplify extraordinary dedication to Operation Smile’s mission.

We are so grateful to BALMAIN for hosting such a meaningful evening and to all our supporters who continue to uplift children around the world through Operation Smile’s life-changing work.

Gala tables and tickets are on sale now — starting at $3,500 per table and $350 per ticket. Only 10 tables and 100 tickets are available at the $350 level, so we encourage you to act quickly. Sponsorships begin at $5,000 and range up to $50,000.

To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit: https://one.bidpal.net/houston2025/welcome

Together, we are changing lives, one smile at a time.


Photos by Hung Truong