Annual HPFFA Red Hot Gala Heats Up the Night
Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton, Mayor John Whitmire, and Fire Chief Tom Munoz
Everyone literally was in “Seventh Heaven” as the seventh annual Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation Gala turned the Royal Sonesta red-hot last Saturday, Oct. 5. More than 500 Gala donors and guests understood the assignment, dazzling in glamorous red gowns and sparkly tuxedos, ready to set the night ablaze. Organizers saw more green than red at the end of the fabulous evening, with a record-breaking night of total of over $350,000 raising the event total to a GRAND $850,000. A record year for money raised for equipment, training, and support for those who rush toward the danger when the rest of us run away.
The highlight of the gala is always the much-anticipated debut of the Houston Firefighter Calendar. This year, the crowd erupted as bare-chested and chiseled firefighters strutted the catwalk to the pulsing beats of Disco Inferno by the Trammps and Pitbull’s “Fireball,” setting hearts racing and temperatures soaring.
In their seventh year at the helm, Gala co-chairs Elizabeth and Alan Stein led the festivities with flair. Their dedication, along with that of steadfast supporters and returning Presenting Sponsors Bobbie Nau, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees are without a doubt a reflection of true philanthropists. This year, Edna Meyer-Nelson stepped up as the Dinner Sponsor and the Royal Sonesta pulled out all the stops. Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton extended special thanks to Elizabeth Stein, Laura Stein, Betty Dubose, Dee Darby, and Scarlett Tyler. This powerhouse team tirelessly work behind the scenes to make each gala bigger and better than the last. This year also welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief, Tom Munoz, as well as Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Adding a dash of star power to the evening was social media influencers, and former KPRC Channel 2 anchor and Houston Life co-host Courtney Zavala, who expertly emceed the event.
Before the delicious three-course dinner, attendees sipped cocktails and perused the impressive big board and silent auctions, while stopping for instant photos, and taking in the incredible décor, inclusive of the 9-foot firefighter with action photos produced by Let It Fly, outstanding!
Later, it was the spirited “Live Auction” with dinner at Annabelle Brasserie, beautiful Lugano earrings, United Airlines tickets, the Jensen’s over the top Snowmass home, a private dinner at Gary Petersen’s home and Irma Brandis’s getaway in Puerto Vallarta that raised the bar. The evening closed with “paddles up,” led by Vincent Montalbano. Collectively, supporters drove the evenings revenue up to close to double the amount raised in 2023.
The night didn’t end there—guests danced the night away at the after-party to the sounds of The Moment, while the firefighter calendar models continued to bask in the spotlight, signing autographs and posing for photos as the crowd waited for the Tenenbaum 10K Raffle drawing for three gift certificates to shop in the store.
Seen at the Gala: Mayor John Whitmire, Houston Fire Chief Tom Munoz, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Carol and Bill Lawler, Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham and Dr. Edward Buckingham, Gary Petersen, Monica and Russell Ybarra, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Alicia and Lance Smith, Denise Monteleone, Michele and Youval Meicler, Lynden Unger and Jacob Stein, Laurance Unger, Betty and Gerald Beathard, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, Allison and Jack Jensen, Patti and Don Murphy, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Michael Vanderhider and Ashley Gibson, Jenna Lindley, Irma Brindis, Cheryl and Bill King, Daniel and Dr. Martina Ogbonna, Troy Blakeney, Beth Muecke, St. Rep Lacey Hull, Elizabeth and Roger Fulghum, Bebe and John Falik, Van and David Greenberg, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, and Donae Chramosta.
