YES to YOUTH Announces 2024 Pop Art Gala Honorees

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Each year, the highlight of the annual YES to YOUTH Gala (“Gala”) is to honor an individual and a local business who have made a significant impact on their mission. They are proud to announce that Dr. Hilton and Alison Yee have been chosen as the honorees and The Strong Firm, P.C. (“The Strong Firm”) has been selected as the corporate honoree. These honorees contribute their time, treasure, and talent selflessly to make the lives better for children and their families.

The Strong Firm has hosted the opening weekend VIP Party at The Woodlands Ice Rink for the past 15 years. The event has become a holiday tradition to kick off the season for many families as they join together for an evening of skating and entertainment to support youth and their families in our community. Since its inception, this event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for YES to YOUTH. “My family has directly benefited from the services of YES to YOUTH through its amazing counseling services for teens and this event is a way for us to ‘pay it forward’ to support other families and to show our gratitude to YES to YOUTH for helping us when we needed it most,” says Bret Strong, Managing Shareholder of The Strong Firm. The Strong Firm has been a long-time sponsor of the Gala, as well as The Maggert Golf Tournament, all benefiting YES to YOUTH. In addition to the sponsorships, Bret has served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Gala for several years, reinforcing his continued support for the youth-focused mission.

Honorees Dr. Hilton and Alison Yee have a long history with YES to YOUTH dating back 20 years when they began supporting Ladies Night Out as sponsors. Over the years, their contributions expanded to provide Christmas gifts and Easter basket goodies for the children living in the Bridgeway Shelter. It’s not uncommon to see Alison volunteering at YES to YOUTH events. Alison became a member of the YES to YOUTH board of directors in January of this year. Both she and Hilton enjoy sharing monthly dinners at the shelter with fellow board members and the youth. Hilton has recently retired after a 30-year career as a revered plastic surgeon in Conroe and The Woodlands area and is an active member of the American Medical Association and Montgomery County Medical Society.

“On behalf of myself and my co-chairs Laura Everson and Katrina Savage, we are thrilled to see The Strong Firm and the Yee’s recognized for their many contributions over the years that have made such an impact on YES to YOUTH and the families they serve. We look forward to celebrating them at our August 10th Gala,” said co-chair Christin Allphin.

“As Gala co-chairs, we have created an event that will not soon be forgotten! With the avant-garde Pop Art theme, it will surely be visually stunning, vibrant, and full of fun surprises,” remarked co-chair Laura Everson.

“We rely on this signature event to raise substantial funds for YES to YOUTH and to shine the light on our honorees who are quiet heroes. We don’t always see their capes, but they are always there,” added Michele Kooken, Chief Executive Officer.

“We are so thankful to those sponsors who have already committed to supporting our August 10th event and to those who are donating items to ensure that our Bid Board and Live Auction are outstanding,” said co-chair Katrina Savage.

For more information on Sponsorships, Underwriting and Donations, please https://youthmc.ejoinme.org/2024YEStoYOUTHGala.

YES to YOUTH is a community-based youth services nonprofit celebrating its 45th anniversary of serving Montgomery County youth and families. The mission of YES to YOUTH is to strengthen the emotional and mental health development of youth and families by providing crisis intervention, counseling, and suicide prevention services. They provide a safe and nurturing home where abused, battered, sex-trafficked, homeless, and at-risk youth begin healing from the past and become empowered for the future. Their programs include:

• Individual, Group, and Family Mental Health Counseling

• Crisis Intervention for Youth and Families

• Suicide Prevention for Youth and Families

• BridgeWay Emergency Youth Shelter (Ages 10-17)

• Prevention Presentations and Crisis Counseling in Schools

• Parenting and Youth Skills Groups

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 888-756-8682

For more information about YES to YOUTH, please visit www.sayyestoyouth.org

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