Stylist to the stars Sam Russell stopped by Page Parkes last Friday to surprise single mom Tammy Thomas with a complete wardrobe worth over $10,000. Russell, an image consultant for the likes of Stevie Wonder and Sophia Bush, came back to his hometown for the tenth edition of what he calls his Passion Project.

“You are strong and focused, and I want to give you a little boost,” he told a tearful Thomas as she accepted 19 pairs of shoes, four handbags, and 50 outfits donated by designers from around the globe. “You are equally important,” he emphasized, after listing Hollywood celebs he has worked with.

It was an emotional event for Thomas and onlookers. The mother of two lost everything at age 8, when her family home burned down. Some years later, one of her brothers took his own life. Then, a few years ago, a second brother died following a shooting. But Thomas is working hard to rebuild her life. She has ambitions of studying biology and pursuing a scientific career.

Clothing was donated by Dubai-based M&R, Single, and Adrianna Papell. Sole Society supplied a well-edited selection of business appropriate yet on-trend shoes. Locally, Galveston’s Vasstra supplied clothing and jewelry, while Elaine Turner supplied a black tote from this season’s collection that caught everyone’s eye.

Parkes, whom Russell credits with launching his career, came across Tammy Thomas and her children. After learning the family was down on its luck, she reached out to Thomas and helped connect her with Russell’s Giving Closet.