A group gathers at the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation luncheon, which raised $100,000 on October 15.

By Natalie Terchek

Several Houston real estate companies were honored at the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation luncheon on October 15 at the Westin Galleria for their philanthropic commitment to the foundation. Each donor gave more than $20,000 during the past eight years.

At the luncheon, the Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation donated $100,000 to the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center and Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas MD Anderson. More than 600 people attended the event. This brings the grand total of donations to more than $1.1 million.

The following realtors/real estate companies were presented with the “Spirit of Giving Award”: Alamo Title Co.–Post Oak & Bering, Bernstein Realty, Prudential Anderson Properties, Chicago Title InsuranceCo., Fidelity Title Co., Greenwood King Properties, Heritage Texas Properties, Houston Association of Realtors, John Daugherty Realtors, Katherine Stewart with Greenwood King, Mark Cady with Flagstone Lending, Martha Turner Properties, Old Republic Title Company of Houston and the Jennifer Hernandez Team with Patriot Bank and Stewart Title.

Mike Huff with Prudential Anderson Properties was recognized for his generosity at the Diamond level (a $15,000 contribution) this year. The Jennifer Hernandez Team with Patriot Bank Mortgage were also acknowledged for their contribution at the Platinum level ($10,000).

The Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation was created in honor of Nancy Owens, a well-respected icon in the Houston real estate industry. Owens lost her 20-year battle with breast cancer in September of 2001. The foundation’s planning committee is made up of Owens’ close friends.