American Heart Association Annual OC Heart Ball Was an Evening of Elegance and Generosity

Orange County’s finest convened last Friday, June 10th for the American Heart Association’s 35th Annual Heart Ball. The black-tie fundraiser gala was held at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, with more than 400 attendees gathering in support.

Co-chairs of the event, CEO Alfredo J. Molina and Renee Dee of Black, Starr & Frost, inspired elegance and generosity while leading the fight against cardiovascular disease and strokes. The event raised $590,000 that will go toward funding crucial cardiovascular and stroke research.

Among the speckling of gorgeous gowns and power couples, the 11-year-old actor Max Page, known best for his role as a tiny Darth Vader in the Volkswagen Super Bowl commercial, shared his story with the crowd. Accompanied by his mother, Jennifer Page, the young actor spoke about his congenital heart defect, sharing his inspiring perseverance with guests. “I will have heart disease for my entire life,” he declared, “But I plan on living a very long, very full life! Thank you for being part of my team and for letting me be part of yours.”

According to Molina, the Orange County Heart Ball has continued to bring together influential leaders of corporate, philanthropic and medical communities to collaborate, raise funds, and promote the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. “One in three Americans dies from heart disease, and one in five dies from stroke,” said Molina. “Renee and I are honored to support and celebrate the accomplishments of the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association and their vital, life-saving work to fight these devastating illnesses.”

This year was Molina and Dee’s second consecutive year serving as co-chairs of the Orange County annual Heart Ball. The couple has made a three-year commitment to chair the annual fundraiser gala.

This year’s gala was particularly special as the first ever “Sweetheart of the Heart Ball” title was bestowed to Ms. Peggy Goldwater Clay, to honor and recognize her for her service and commitment to the American Heart Association. Clay is the daughter of Peggy Goldwater and late Arizona senator Barry Goldwater, both of whom chaired and presented the first ever Heart Ball in Phoenix in 1959.

The evening began with a quaint cocktail party in the courtyard and patio of the Ritz as the sun set over the beach. Guests sipped their drinks and perused a collection of silent auction items, including a diamond heart pendant necklace, a Porsche watch, a concert and meet-the-band VIP experience, a football fan package, a wine lover’s package, and a Black, Starr & Frost $5,000 gift certificate.

The attendees began to find their seats at their lavishly decorated tables in the beautiful fairytale-esque ballroom, which was awash with deep heart red and elegant gold, with an abundance of garden-fresh rose petals at every turn. The night’s entertainment, the distinguished Gene Press Orchestra, took the stage to begin the event. Dinner was a delicious three course meal of salad and entrees, with a decadent dessert of chocolate sea salt caramel tart with chocolate soil and peanut butter ice cream, and finally a lemon panna cotta tart Veuve Clicquot gelee and raspberry coulis, all too extravagant and delicious not to describe word for word.

Later on the event unfolded into a classic, fast-paced live auction featuring an assortment of prizes and trips ranging from a Beverly Hills girls-only getaway to an adventurous retreat in Big Bear, California. The largest auction item was a four-day visit for three couples at Il Boscareto in Serragusa de Alba, a luxury resort in the Italian wine country, which sold for an impressive $11,000.

After the conclusion of the program, guests danced and celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the American Heart Association and the annual Heart Ball. It was a night of elegance and open hearts, in support of an extremely important and worthy cause.

The energy was uplifting and humbling, and the evening was exuberant, magical and of course - full of heart.

Written by Katie Gross