Dec My Room’s Ninth Annual Kick Up Your Boots for Kids gala brought more than 250 guests together to support the Houston nonprofit’s work personalizing hospital rooms for pediatric and young adult patients. Country singer Easton Corbin performed, and a guitar signed by Dolly Parton was auctioned amid spirited bidding; organizers also offered a second guitar. The event also marked a leadership transition, with founder Susan Plank symbolically passing leadership to her daughter, Kendall Plank.
CultureMap Houston reported $350,000 for its 2024 gala, while PaperCity reported $415,000 for the 2026 event. CultureMap had reported $400,000 raised at the previous year’s gala. The outlets characterized the latest event as a record for the Houston charity.
Gala chairs Anne Carl and Elizabeth Carl organized the event, with David Ackel serving as emcee and auctioneer, according to CultureMap. Guests included Mike Stasney and Carley Stasney; the evening also featured ice bars, a tequila station, cigars and a Federal American Grill package featuring Pappy Van Winkle bourbon that drew bidding, according to PaperCity.
A Guitar Worth Bidding On Twice
Organizers offered a second guitar, according to PaperCity. Mike Plank also donated a helicopter-assisted golf getaway for the live auction.
The gala recognized community honorees Stacey Lindseth and Al Lindseth, as well as corporate honoree Northern Trust, CultureMap reported.
Passing the Torch After Nearly Two Decades
Susan Plank and Kendall Plank founded Dec My Room together in 2007. PaperCity reported that Susan formally handed leadership of the nonprofit to her daughter at the Ninth Annual gala, marking a change in leadership as the organization looks ahead.
The nonprofit's mission centers on personalizing hospital rooms for young patients, an effort that began at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston after Susan and Kendall Plank were asked to brighten the space for a hospitalized child known as JB, according to Dec My Room. That single room decoration grew into a national program.
A Houston Hospital Room Started the Program
According to Dec My Room, the organization began at Texas Children’s Hospital, where Susan and Kendall Plank decorated a room for JB, a family member’s friend who was scheduled to spend at least three weeks in the hospital, away from family and friends in Austin.
Demand for Dec My Room Is Climbing
The gala came as Dec My Room faces rising demand. PaperCity reported that requests for the nonprofit’s assistance increased by 30 percent in 2026. Reports also differ on the program’s reach: one PaperCity account said volunteers had personalized more than 10,000 rooms in more than 180 hospitals nationwide, while a separate profile put the number of hospitals at 218.
The Eighth Annual Kick Up Your Boots for Kids gala took place on October 24, 2024, and drew more than 250 attendees to House of Blues, where country singers Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen performed, CultureMap reported. Auction items included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and a private three-day management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch with Kendall Plank. A 2025 event listing on thesocialbook.com named Aimee and Wynne Snoots and Federal Grill as that year’s honorees.
As Kendall Plank leads Dec My Room into its next chapter, the Houston nonprofit approaches the tenth year of its Kick Up Your Boots for Kids gala amid increased requests for its services.
