Red Hot Heart Ball Rocks Houston to the Tune of $3 Million, Almost: Stunning Ladies in Red, UH Drums and a TV Weatherman Raise More Than Temperatures

With a few more anticipated contributions to come, the American Heart Association‘s annual Heart Ball is expected to top out at $3 million in proceeds. Applause, applause for chairs Cathy and Joe Cleary and honorees Brenda and Marc Watts, Schlumberger and Dr. Robert Phillips, whose combined community clout and largesse led to the remarkable success. Add to that the expertise of auction chair Franelle Rogers.

As is tradition with the Heart Ball, the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom was awash in shades of red as many of the ladies in the black-tie crowd opted for flaming gowns in honor of the approaching Valentine’s Day and, of course, the heart. Special kudos to medical honoree Phillips, who so embraced “The Beat Goes On” theme of the gala that he had the words embroidered in the underside of his tux collar (which was red). Not the tuxedo, the underside of his collar.

The benefit launched with a definite up beat thanks to the University of Houston marching band drum corps which provided a powerful, rhythmic start to the evening. Also as is tradition with the Heart Ball, the crowd was very enthused (perhaps inspired by all of the red), challenging emcee KHOU Channel 11 chief meteorologist David Paul, who handled it with aplomb.

Ladies in red scored high on the fashion scale including Karen Henry, Minnie Baird, Renee Hames, Hallie Vanderhider, Jo Furr, Martha Adger, Julie Henderson, Ally Babineaux, Genny Walters, Marguerite Swartz, Roz Pactor, Leila Gilbert, Lacey Goossen, Dorothy Ables and Joanne King Herring. Just imagine the dance floor when the fab dance band Party on the Moon cranked up the tunes. Waves of red swirled across the ballroom.

Happy hearts: AHA national board chair James Postl and wife Beverly, Schlumberger’s Catherine and Jean Francois Poupeau, AHA Houston executive director Yara El-Sayed Guest and James Guest, Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher, Judy and Russ Labrasca, Yuliya Veretennikova and Dr. Daniel Penny, Maria and Dr. Michael Quinones, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Susan and Dick Hansen, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, and Kathy and Marty Goossen.