Heartfelt Night Raises a Whopping $670,000 as Party Goers Strike a Pose

The 5th Annual Collin County Heart Ball was a night of celebration for dedicated donors, sponsors and volunteers — with many lives saved and improved from everyone’s efforts. The black-tie event held at the Omni Frisco Hotel raised an impressive $670,000 for the American Heart Association.

The Collin County community generously supported cardiovascular research and heart health educational programs. 

Before the ballroom doors opened, the elegantly dressed attendees were delighted to strike a pose in front of a boxwood wall with flowers in the shape of the heart and torch, representing the American Heart Association’s well-known logo. More than 450 guests clamored to all 10 celebrity chef stations for dishes paired with craft cocktails.

Lead chef Aaron Staudenmaier from Whiskey Cake was accompanied by notable chefs including Todd Citta from Sixty Vines, Jorge Da Rocha from Bulla Gastrobar, Skyler Gauthier from Haywire, Chase Montgomery from Ida Claire, Andrea Shackelford from Harvest Seasonal Kitchen, John Sikhattana from Roy’s, Marcus Strietzel from Neighborhood Services, and Antonio Zamora from Mexican Sugar. You couldn’t help but notice the constant line at Chef Paloma Ledesma’s station with guests excited to try her Crest Lobster Shooter, Chorizo— Bison Meatball, Puff Pastry.

This year’s Open Your Heart Campaign gave donors the opportunity to make a direct impact on the American Heart Association’s mission by funding research, improving patient care, and helping people lower their risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and strokes rank second globally.

Event chair Lisa Gerrish and cardiac arrest survivor Chris Gerrish shared their own stories with heart disease and emphasized the importance of learning CPR. The audience was amazed to hear that when Gerrish went into cardiac arrest, he was saved by hands-only CPR and an AED performed by bystanders. Nine months later he saved a stranger’s life by performing hands-only CPR.

The well-heeled crowd enjoyed both the silent and live auctions, featuring luxurious packages and experiences, including a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo and a holiday vacation for four to New York City. Since the first Collin County Heart Ball in 2015, the event has raised nearly $2 million.

PC Seen: Lisa and Chris Gerrish, Jennifer and Scott Chandler, Ruby Bhandari, Laurel Caras, Katie Ruiz, Charles Beauford, Carey Blair Farmer, Matthew Hildreth, Angelo Keyes, Marc Krock, Ana Meade, Shelly Meador, Sharon Naukam, and Laura Roach.