Woodlands to host Golden Globes fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital

As Hollywood's biggest stars take to the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards in January, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be holding its own Red Carpet for Hope, a multi-city fundraising gala. Joining the major metropolitan areas of Miami, Minneapolis and Chicago in the event is none other than The Woodlands.

The red carpet will be rolled out at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center to host the event for the second year in a row. The gala includes a cocktail reception, a live screening of the Golden Globes as well as a live auction where donors from the various cities compete in an enthusiastic bidding war.

Last year, The Woodlands managed to outbid the cities many times its size and won the auction item - a trip to Los Angeles to participate in VIP Golden Globes celebrations.

"The Woodlands is a very giving community," said Janet Padilla with St. Jude, who organizes the event. "The Woodlands won the live auction item … it was like the little engine that could … people were trying to figure out where The Woodlands was."

The Woodlands became a part of the event through the efforts of local resident, Andria Cain, whose child received treatment at St. Jude. She headed the committee of Woodlands residents who work to pull off the gala.

Last January, the Red Carpet for Hope event raised nearly $830,000, with $175,000 of that coming from The Woodlands, Padilla said.

All of the proceeds from the event support St. Jude, which treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases free of charge to the family, including transportation, housing and food.

"It's because of events like this that we're able to provide services to our patients completely free," Padilla said.

The St. Jude Red Carpet for Hope gala will be at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Jan. 8. Tickets and sponsorships are still available stjude.org/redcarpetwoodlands.