'Go Red' Goes Big! Lunch Raises $1.6M for American Heart Association

'Go Red' Goes Big! Lunch Raises $1.6M for American Heart Association

Jasmine Gallo, Alexis Rosales and Stephanie Wilcox

THE AMERICAN HEART Association hosted its annual Go Red for Women luncheon at The Post Oak Hotel, bringing in more than $1.6 million for the organization.

With a theme of "Be the Beat," the event began with CPR training, blood-pressure checks and other educational content; the hundreds of guests then made their way into the red-swathed ballroom for the seated luncheon and program.

Emcee Sarah Pepper introduced the afternoon's guest speaker, Christian and pop singer Amy Grant. In an interview, she revealed that she has faced heart problems while on tour, and implored the attendees to place their health above everything else. She then proceeded to give a lively performance.

Jody Merritt, Monitrice Malone and Edna Meyer Nelson

Roz Pactor, Joan Pillow and Lu Caltagirone

Amy Grant

Jody Merritt, Monitrice Malone and Edna Meyer Nelson

Elizabeth Stein, Hallie Vanderhider, Cissy Abel

Chris Burke, Chloe Burke, LoRanda Burke and Larry Cannon

Cathleen Fishel and Lynn Forte

Malisha Patel, Erin Asprec and Kate Willis

Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Kimberly Phipps-Nichol

Parties

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

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Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music

Get to Know Bianca:

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.

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