It was evident people were excited to be back at a gala.
Women were dressed to the nines in elegant gowns and some of the men were in tuxedos. It was probably the first time some of these people had gotten the chance to really go out and dress up since the pandemic began in 2020.
I’m referring to the Heart Ball, the American Heart Association fundraiser. The event, which was held February 19th at The Peabody, drew about 375 guests.
There was a silent auction held in the Forest and Venetian rooms that was followed by dinner in the Memphis Ballroom.
“We took a year off, so this was the first year back,” says Libby Ridenhour, American Heart Association communications director.
She says people were excited to be pulling out all the stops in their wardrobe and getting back to dining and dancing. “I think Heart Ball was the first chance to get people out of the house to celebrate the mission and what we’ve done in the past year, as well as kicking off the mission for next year.”
Instead of honoring a survivor family, as has been done at previous Heart Balls, Ridenhour says, “We wanted the focus to be on the city of Memphis. We wanted everyone to rally around the city of Memphis and see the community work we’ve done there. Even though we took a year off, the mission didn’t stop.”
The theme of the gala was “The heart and soul of Memphis. Nothing can stop Memphis. Even Covid.”
The association gave its first-ever Living Heart Award this year, Ridenhour says. John Daniel, a heart transplant recipient, and his wife, Leslie, were the recipients. The Daniels also announced they were giving a $100,000 donation to the American Heart Association.
Ridenhour says the Living Heart award we be presented annually “to an individual, couple, or family who have been personally impacted by heart disease or stroke and who despite personal loss or setback have overcome the challenges to become a champion for heart health and for creating a healthier community through their investment of time, leadership, and resources.
Libby says, “We announced we are going to change the name of the award to the John and Leslie Daniel Living Heart Award.”
All of which was a reason to shake a leg on the dance floor. Party Planet provided the music for guests to do just that. Peter and Judy Felsenthal and Bob and Tracy Moore chaired the event. Andrew Douglas and Joy Redmond from WMC Action News 5 were the emcees.
YOUTH VILLAGES SOUP SUNDAY
Youth Villages Soup Sunday was also back this year — in a new location — but with the same variety of savory concoctions as well as cakes and ice cream. It was the first event held at The Kent, a new 27,000 square-foot event center at 61 Keel Avenue at Front Street in the historic Snuff District. The Kent is a historic redevelopment by Wolf River Harbor Holdings of a warehouse property dating to the late 1800s.
As usual, the event was held on a Sunday, but because of pandemic protocols, only 300 tickets were sold.
Lamar Chance, Youth Villages senior public relations coordinator, says about 20 vendors took part in Soup Sunday. “I think the event was very successful,” Chance says. “We sold out ahead of time. People were excited to get back in person after missing last year. We had one last year, but it was virtual.”
The organization had planned to hold the 2022 Youth Villages Soup Sunday at the FedExForum, where it has been held in the past, Chance says. “We were going to go with the same setup we had previously, but once Omicron cases got going around holiday time, we had to make a pivot.”
KENON WALKER TELLS THE TRUTH
So, who’s fibbing?
Peabody Duckmaster Kenon Walker will be one of three contestants who will claim to be the hotel’s “Duckmaster” on the season premier of “To Tell the Truth” at 9 p.m. February 22nd on WPTY (ABC-24). The show was filmed last May in Los Angeles.
Tune in and watch Walker tell the truth.
WE SAW YOU AROUND TOWN
