Seventh Annual HPFFA “Red Hot” Gala-A “Red Hot” Evening for a “Red Hot” Cause

Seventh Annual HPFFA “Red Hot” Gala-A Sizzling Evening for a “Red Hot” Cause

Royal Sonesta Hotel was on fire as more than 500 supporters donned their gowns and tuxes to celebrate the seventh annual Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation “Red Hot” Gala. Also, for the seventh year, chairs Elizabeth and Alan Stein welcomed the excited crowd to the festivities and introduced media personality Courtney Zavala as the evening’s emcee. Welcomed for the first time to this event were newly appointed Fire Chief Tom Muñoz and Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

The success of the “Red Hot” gala is multi-layered. It begins with poignant moments such as the presentation of the flags by the Houston Firefighter Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums, shirtless Houston Firefighter Calendar participants walking the stage to the sounds of Disco Inferno and Pitbull’s Fireball, greeting the ATF K-9 pets, and so much more. Adding to the event’s success were Presenting Sponsors Bobbie Nau, Hallie Vanderhider, and Bobby Dees, and everyone’s favorite businesswoman, Edna Meyer-Nelson, who proudly sponsored the dinner. Receiving special thanks from HPFFA President Patrick “Marty” Lancton were the chairpersons, Laura Stein, Betty Dubose, Dee Darby and Scarlett Tyler.

Longtime Houston event designer Let It Fly was charged with the evening’s ambiance. Along with their “fiery” table décor, they constructed a 9-foot firefighter, which created a unique photo opportunity. Guests were delighted to take advantage of its memorable presence and post their candid shots on social media. Show producers Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar kept the action “hot” behind the scenes and ensured the event was “smoking” from beginning to end!

The live auction was ablaze with lavish offerings, including dinner at Annabelle Brasserie, United Airlines tickets, an elegant home in Snowmass, a private dinner in Gary Petersen’s home and Irma Brindis’ Puerto Vallarta “casa” getaway, and much more! A 10-K “sizzling” Tenenbaum & Co. raffle, which included three in-store shopping gift certificates, “sparked” purchasers all night long. A lucky winner was crowned as the gala ended. After all the festivities were completed, a “Red Hot” record-setting total of $850,000 was raised for equipment, training, and support for those who rush toward the danger when the rest of us run away.

Firefighter Calendar models continued to engage with the lively audience as the crowd danced the night away at the after-party. It was a “Red Hot” evening for a “Red Hot” cause!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):   Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Carol and Bill Lawler, Dr. Dawn Buckingham and Dr. Edward Buckingham, Gary Petersen, Monica & Russell Ybarra, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Alicia & Lance Smith, Denise Monteleone, Michele & Youval Meicler, Lynden Unger and Jacob Stein, Laurance Unger, Betty and Gerald Beathard, Allison and Jack Jensen, Patti and Don Murphy, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Jenna Lindley, Irma Brindis, Cheryl & Hon. Bill King, Christine Johnson, Jody Merritt, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Beth Wolff, Daniel & Dr. Martina Ogbonna, Troy Blakeney, Beth Muecke, St. Rep Lacey Hull, Elizabeth & Roger Fulghum, Bebe and John Falik, Van & David Greenberg, Fady Armanious & Bill Baldwin, Donae Chramosta