Sometimes my job has great perks.
Representing the Springfield Business Journal staff at the Heart Ball earlier this month was a distinct pleasure. It's part of the job, but this was a fun fundraiser. I encourage our staff to take turns going out to community events. There are so many that no one can participate in all of them, but this one was mine, all mine.
When I first learned that the Saturday night duty would fall to me, the first thing I wondered about was what I would wear to this elegant-sounding event, and I considered renting a tuxedo for my husband, Andy, to be sure that he would be dressed up, too. That's why I had to laugh out loud when Candy Letterman, director of American Heart Association's Springfield office, advised me to wear a tie-dyed T-shirt and jeans.
Andy was thrilled, picking out his favorite Hawaiian shirt and hanging a peace sign pendant around his neck for the Feb. 7 "Heart of Rock & Roll Heart Ball - Heart & Soul Tour" at Ramada Oasis Convention Center. The wardrobe picks were easy for me, too. If you hang onto clothes long enough, they will come back into style.
When we walked into the Ramada Oasis, it was typical Springfield. People were dressed in every manner - from blue jeans and cowboy boots to ball gowns and spike heels. Candy was mugging it up Beatles-style with granny glasses and a fringed leather vest. Everybody was having fun.
We were further distracted by the colorful and brightly lit silent auction items. We started bidding, and I was amazed at how rapidly the bids escalated. By the time the auction tables were closing, virtually everything, from fine jewelry to spa visits and big baskets of chocolate, were at high dollars - a great sign for the Heart Association in this economic time.
It seemed that all the best restaurants were represented. We sampled from the menus of Avanzare, Bijan's, Fire & Ice, Gilardi's, Kai and Touch. Hiland Dairy had the corner on desserts.
I was gratified to have a couple of minutes with my friend, Tony Garcia, an owner and chef of Avanzare. He was working hard all evening, but he took time to tell me about a recent visit to virtually empty fine dining spots in Chicago and the sad stories his pals in the restaurant business there had to tell about steep declines in business. He said that the experience made him doubly glad to live and work in Springfield. His restaurant remains strong and his clientele regular. I love getting some good news!
Our Heart Ball evening is one that, even weeks later, I continue to remember vividly. The program and entertainment were vibrant on the stage. Allie Hutsell of The Allie Catz gave a passionate rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," and her band rocked the room.
Joe and Christine Daues of KSPR were emcees, and Nick Sanders chanted a highly successful live auction from the stage. A moving infant survivor story was part of the special appeal for support for the Heart Association's work.
Along with sponsors St. John's Heart Institute, Arvest Bank, attorney Kristi Fulnecky and her husband Dr. Eric Fulnecky, Lathrop & Gage, Pfizer Inc., KSPR, Midwest Family Broadcasting, SBJ and 417 Magazine, there was a bevy of volunteers. Missouri State University's Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and Kappa Alpha fraternity, as well as Chase employees, were on hand for every need throughout the evening.
The 2009 Heart Ball Committee was composed of volunteers Mary Lou Foss, Denise Temofeew, Susy Barr, Janelle Cobb, Martha Gaska, Ali Harrington, Brooke Hobbs, Barbara Hover, Monique James, Rosemary Lewis, Chris Louzader, Kathy Price, Nancy Rose, Megan Schawo, Marie Shah, Jennifer Velliquette and Cheryl Vowels. It took a lot of people to make this great event.
A few facts: In the past five years, AHA has allocated more than $21 million for 179 research studies at seven institutions in Missouri. Missouri ranks among the top 10 states in the nation receiving AHA funding. The funds generated at the Heart Ball go to support AHA-funded cardiovascular disease research to improve the lives of women, children and families in the Springfield community.
This was my first time to attend the Heart Ball. But each year during this event, members of the corporate and medical communities in Greene County come together to celebrate AHA's lifesaving work. This year, the event drew 340 guests and raised an awesome $110,000.
Thank you, Heart Association staff and volunteers. We had a great time for a great cause. I hope we get invited back next year, and maybe next time we'll get dressed up!
Dianne Elizabeth Osis is president of SBJ Publishing Inc. and publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Joplin Tri-State Business. She can be reached at delizabeth@sbj.net.
