Every year, 170 local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals select a “Champion” to represent the children treated at their facilities. These ambassadors share their inspiring stories, highlighting the importance of supporting children’s hospitals across North America. This year, we are proud to introduce Tynlee Ivey as our 2025 CMN Champion!

In May 2024, Tynlee, a 10-year-old from Warren, Texas, was traveling with her mother and siblings when their car was struck head-on by a truck. Tynlee, seated in the second row, immediately complained she couldn’t breathe and was rushed to CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth in critical condition. While her mother and siblings sustained injuries but were stable, a CT scan revealed severe internal injuries for Tynlee, including lacerations to her spleen and liver, a contusion and laceration to her pancreas, a collapsed lung, and fractured ribs.

The trauma team quickly performed life-saving emergency surgery. Over the next 19 days, Tynlee fought a challenging recovery in our newly remodeled Pediatric Unit, funded by Children’s Miracle Network of SETX. Despite the obstacles, Tynlee’s incredible resilience shone through. Even as she was wheeled into surgery, she reassured her terrified parents, saying, “I’m going to be just fine.” Her strength and positive spirit inspired everyone around her, including her medical team.

Tynlee’s journey didn’t end there. Due to the accident’s impact on her pancreas, she was later diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Today, she manages her condition with strength and determination. Tynlee is now a vibrant 10-year-old who loves playing with her puppy, spending time with her siblings, and enjoying her favorite foods.

Her story is a testament to the exceptional care provided by the team at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth and the vital support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The newly remodeled Pediatric Unit, with its cheerful “Under the Sea” theme, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and comforting amenities funded by CMN, played a crucial role in Tynlee’s care and recovery. These include the central pulse oxygen monitoring system, portable x-ray machine, submarine-themed treatment tables, and comfort items such as custom blankets, themed hospital gowns, and PlayStation-equipped TVs.

Tynlee’s journey showcases the incredible impact of CMN and the power of expert, compassionate care. We are honored to share her story and celebrate her as our 2025 CMN Champion!

Prepare to be captivated as Gavin DeGraw takes center stage at the 42nd Annual CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation Gala, promising an unforgettable evening of music and philanthropy. The event will take place at the Beaumont Civic Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The CHRISTUS Gala is a renowned black-tie affair that combines sophistication with purpose, offering attendees an evening to remember. The night begins with cocktails and conversation, followed by a gourmet meal, and culminates in an intimate performance by GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist Gavin DeGraw. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will go towards acquiring life-saving equipment for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

For nearly two decades, Gavin DeGraw has enchanted fans worldwide with his soulful voice and chart-topping hits. From his platinum-certified debut album, Chariot, featuring classics like “I Don’t Want To Be” and “Chariot,” to his double-platinum single “Not Over You” from Sweeter, Gavin has established himself as a standout talent in the music industry.

This year’s performance will showcase songs from his heartfelt and critically acclaimed album, Face The River. Inspired by his late parents’ love story and life lessons, the record captures an intimate, soulful journey through love, loss, and hope. Fans will also be treated to favorites from his recently rereleased album, Chariot 20.

Past Gala performances have included iconic artists such as the Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor, and Wynonna Judd. This year, Gavin DeGraw continues the tradition of delivering top-tier entertainment while supporting the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

For those interested in attending and supporting the CHRISTUS mission, reservations for tables or tickets can be made HERE. Join us for a night to remember in support of a noble cause.

This year’s 27th Annual Christmas Tree Contest showcased the remarkable creativity and community spirit of our CHRISTUS SETX Associates. Departments joined forces to design stunning table-top Christmas trees for a silent auction, all to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network in Southeast Texas. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $11,000 to bring hope and healing to local children and their families.

🌟 Community judges helped spread holiday cheer by selecting the most outstanding entries in various categories:

• Grand Prize & Most Creative: Emergency Department, for their magical “Christmas at Gryffindor”
• CHRISTUS Spirit: Day Surgery, celebrating the classic tale with their “Polar Express” tree
• Judges’ Pick: Imaging, who delighted everyone with their “Retro Christmas” tree
• Crowd Favorite: 2 Main, for their heartfelt “Gift that Keeps on Giving” tree
• Most Beautiful: 2 South, with their elegant “Santa’s Coming to Town” creation

These beautifully crafted trees and the collective efforts of everyone involved raised vital funds to support the Children’s Miracle Network at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community.

A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing judges for lending their time and expertise:

• Misty Fountain, First State Bank of Texas
• Ana Pereda, LIT Workforce Development
• Megan Hanks, Neches FCU
• Pat Anderson, Port of Beaumont
• Krista Hunter, LIT Foundation
• Tim Sudela, Symphony of Southeast Texas

To everyone who participated, donated, or attended – thank you for making this year’s event a shining success. Wishing you a holiday season filled with love, generosity, and community! ✨

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the newly renovated third floor, now dedicated to supporting expectant mothers and their newborns. In a special unveiling and dedication ceremony, the hospital celebrated the upgrades to the labor and delivery and mother-baby units—enhancements made possible by the generous support of community donors through the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation.

The renovations have brought state-of-the-art equipment and modernized spaces to both units, ensuring that moms and their families receive the best care possible. The labor and delivery unit now features 19 private delivery rooms, each upgraded with new bathrooms, birthing beds, fetal monitors, and innovative cableless fetal monitoring systems. These advancements offer moms the flexibility to move freely and find comfort during labor without being tethered to machines.

“Our rooms look incredible and bring an extra layer of comfort with new paint, floors, and technologies,” said Britni Hidalgo, Clinical Director of Labor and Delivery at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth. “Thanks to the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation and our community donors, we are proud to provide these extensive upgrades and new technologies to care for our mothers and their babies both before and after birth.”

The mother-baby unit also saw significant improvements, with 34 recovery rooms receiving fresh paint, new flooring, upgraded bathrooms, and advanced monitoring equipment to ensure mothers and babies are well cared for post-delivery.

“The cableless fetal monitoring systems are a game-changer for us,” Hidalgo explained. “The birthing process can be uncomfortable, and moms appreciate being able to move around freely. These new systems allow that, which can help make the experience a little more comfortable.”

Additionally, the renovations include updates to seven obstetrics emergency and surgery rooms, designed to provide additional monitoring and care for complicated pregnancies and scheduled cesarean surgeries.

Teri Hawthorne, Executive Director for the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation, emphasized the critical role that community support played in making this project a reality. “We could not have achieved this without the generosity of our southeast Texas community donors,” she said. “These donations will have a lasting impact on our patients and their families, helping us welcome more newborns into the world and sending them home safely to bright futures.”

This exciting renovation reflects CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional care for mothers and their newborns in an environment designed for comfort and safety.

Mark your calendars for the coolest and sweetest day of summer! Thursday, July 25th, Dairy Queen will be celebrating Miracle Treat Day by donating $1 or more from every Blizzard sold back to Children’s Miracle Network in SETX!

100% of these funds stay local and help kids at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas!

Let’s come together as a community to make this day a HUGE success.

With every Blizzard you enjoy, you’ll be putting a smile on a child’s face.

It’s more than a delicious treat- it’s a chance to make miracle happen!

Not sure where your closest DQ location is? Click here to find out!

Pre-Order forms can be found here.

We’d like to extend a great, big THANK YOU to Dairy Queen Fans and the participating Dairy Queen restaurants across Southeast Texas! Together, you are helping change kids’ health and change the future for kids in SETX!

We’re excited to announce the upcoming Sabine Chapter of Credit Unions (SCCU) Annual Kids Classic Golf Tournament, benefitting Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas. For 32 years, SCCU has proudly hosted this tournament, and we’re thrilled to continue this tradition of supporting our community. All funds raised—100%—will be donated to CMN, helping us provide the best possible care to sick kids in our local community.

We invite you to swing into action and join SCCU in raising funds and awareness for local kids in Southeast Texas. The generosity of local businesses and individuals like you keeps our mission on par, and we greatly appreciate your support.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, October 25, 2024
• Location: Bayou Din Golf Club

Click HERE to see the team and sponsorship details for this year’s tournament.

Together, we can hit a hole-in-one for the kids and “Change Kids’ Lives and Change the Future.”

Thank you for your support!

The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation held its 41st Annual Gala on Saturday, April 20, at the Beaumont Civic Center. This event has become one of the most anticipated fundraising events each year and has drawn some of the biggest names in entertainment. This year, we were honored to add the legendary Goo Goo Dolls to our long list of amazing entertainers.

This year, the Foundation had the privilege of honoring local businesswoman and philanthropist Gisela Houseman. Her impact extends far beyond the business realm. Gisela Houseman and the Houseman Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing the recently-opened CHRISTUS Hospital – Orange facility to life by generously donating the land on which it was built. Named in her honor, the 20-acre Gisela Houseman Medical Campus is a beacon of health care in the Orange community, offering a wide range of services, including 24/7 emergency care, extended stay units, diagnostic imaging, and a dedicated women’s center. We are deeply grateful for her invaluable contribution.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received from our 2024 sponsors. Your generosity has played a pivotal role in making this event a tremendous success and, more importantly, in furthering our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

This gala wouldn’t have been possible without your support, and we are profoundly grateful for that. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing by us and your enduring support. Here’s to another year of making a meaningful impact, hand in hand.

Save the date! We’re counting the days until the next Gala, April 5, 2025. We can’t wait to see you all again and create more unforgettable memories together.

Warmest regards,

The CHRISTUS Foundation Team

Click here to view our amazing 2024 Gala Sponsors!

We are thrilled to unveil that local businesswoman and philanthropist, Gisela Houseman, will be honored at the highly anticipated 41st Annual CHRISTUS Gala on April 20.

Gisela Houseman, Owner and CEO of The Houseman Companies in Orange, Texas, has an inspiring journey. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, she embarked on her American journey at the age of six, eventually obtaining citizenship in 1956. Her path led her to Dallas, where she met her late husband, Tony Houseman, before settling in Southeast Texas in 1987. Together, they made significant contributions to land development and home construction projects across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Following Tony’s passing, Gisela assumed sole leadership of the business, continuing their legacy with unwavering dedication.

Her impact extends far beyond the business realm. Gisela Houseman and the Houseman Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing the recently-opened CHRISTUS Hospital – Orange facility to life by generously donating the land on which it was built. Named in her honor, the 20-acre Gisela Houseman Medical Campus is a beacon of health care in the Orange community, offering a wide range of services including 24/7 emergency care, extended stay units, diagnostic imaging, and a dedicated women’s center.

“We are deeply grateful to Gisela Houseman for her remarkable generosity and commitment to improving healthcare in the Orange community,” said Teri Hawthorne, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation executive director. “Her donation of land for the new CHRISTUS Hospital – Orange is a testament of her compassion and concern for the well-being of others. We are honored to recognize her contributions at our 41st Annual CHRISTUS Gala.”

Gisela Houseman’s philanthropic endeavors have left an indelible mark on the community. She has established scholarships at local educational institutions and serves on multiple foundation boards. Her dedication has earned her various honors, including Southeast Texan of the Year, the Frances Monk Award for Leadership, and induction into the Women’s Conference of Southeast Texas Hall of Fame.

Join us for the unforgettable 41st Annual CHRISTUS Gala, where we celebrate philanthropy, community, and honor Gisela Houseman’s extraordinary contributions. The evening promises refined entertainment, exquisite dining, and an intimate performance by the legendary Goo Goo Dolls. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will support acquiring life-saving equipment at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

Save the date and be a part of this momentous occasion!