A Red Hot Gala: Shirtless Firefighters Help Raise $410,000

With full COVID-19 guidelines the 2020 “Red Hot Gala” was a flaming success with about two hundred guests. All guests were offered masks, face shields with proper social distancing, and temperature checks by the Houston Firefighter Cadets.

Even with less than 50% of the previous two years, supporters not only “Stepped Out” but they “Stepped Up.” The Local 341 President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton, the Chairmen, Elizabeth and Alan Stein and the Charitable Foundation’s decision to remain a “Live” event took a great deal of consideration and additional planning.

The Houston Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums, along with the Honor Guard opened the evening and brought the audience to their feet as Houston Firefighter Joe Rice sang the National Anthem acapella. It would not be a firefighter event without our very own Firefighter Calendar men, well-rehearsed, walking the runway with heavy equipment in hand and in closing, divesting themselves of their t-shirts and tossing them into the crowd.

“We were so nervous about the gala to be hosted in person, but we took all the precautions,” said Elizabeth Stein. This year’s Honorary Co-Chairmen, Kelley and Stephen Lubanko, shared their family’s personal experiences with firefighters in an emotional video detailing Stephen’s death experience and Kelley’s parents’ loss of their home. Stephen’s reunion with the firefighters that saved him was an impassioned moment for everyone in the room.

Marty Lancton, Hallie Vanderhider

Over the last three years so much has been accomplished with the continued support from the community. “This year the organization honored Community Advocate Hallie Vanderhider who, as an honorary Charitable Foundation Board member, has been readily available to contribute her valued opinion as well as her resources,” shares Stein. This year they also recognized five stellar supporters that have lifted them up over and over for the last three years. They were presented with plaques in their honor that will be mounted on fire stations across Houston. They are Janet & Tom Behanick, Benjamin Berg, Troy Blakeney, Joanna & Brad Marks and Bobbie Nau.

2020 has been a somber and difficult year in many ways for the Houston Firefighters. The pandemic coupled with the Line of Duty deaths of Senior Captain Kevin Leago, Captain Leroy Lucio, Firefighter/Paramedic Jerry Pacheco, HFD Arson Investigator Lemuel (DJ) Bruce, Captain Tommy Searcy and Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha were tragic. However the 2020 “Red Hot Gala” became a bright spot, a moment to gather together, celebrate and comfort and raise a whopping $410,000.

Spotted at the gala: Ed Kelly, Cyndy & Thomas Roberts, Bobbie Nau, Denise Monteleone, Fady Armonious, Bill Baldwin, Shantelle & Brian Wischnewsky, Kevin Black, Tony Bradfiled, DeeDee & Wallis Marsh, Gaye Lynn & Stuart Zarrow, Donna & Norman Lewis, Robin & Alex Brennan-Martin, Shelby & Shafik Rifaat, Janet & Tom Behanick, Laura Elizabeth Stein, Emily & Tug Hanley, Scarlett Darby, Tori & Ed Decora, Gary Petersen, Steven Devadanam, Elizabeth Dabney, Carol & Bill Lawler, Joanna & Brad Marks, Abigail & Chris Venegas, Fred Stow & Dixie Meynier, Dan D’Armond, State Rep Mary Ann Perez, Dwight Boykins, Council Member Mike Knox, Dee & James Darby, Maryan Tinney, Gary Shaw, Casey & Max Harris, Ashley & Doug Plaeger, Troy Blakeney, Patti & Don Murphy, Erin Powers, Lyndon Powers, Mary & Chris Garcia, Crystal & Tony Searcy, and Gabe Dominguez, Charlie Hartland, Adele & Jason Hebert, Gilbert Garcia, Oscar De la Rosa, Armando Liechtenberger, Jr., Aminta & Jon Rosenthal.

Photos By | Michelle Watson, Catchlight