This year, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched The Heart of Houston to raise funds to improve the health and well-being of our neighbors. The campaign consists of multiple fundraising and volunteer engagements and culminates with The Heart of Houston digital experience on February 11, 2021, featuring a special musical performance from the preeminent cellist of the 20th century and the world today, Yo-Yo Ma!
Leading the charge for the community impact initiative are The Heart of Houston chairs, Lisa and Jerry Simon. The Simons are distinguished members of the Houston community and ardent supporters of the American Heart Association. Their commitment to service is exemplified in their volunteer leadership roles. “By addressing health inequities, funding life-saving research, and providing critical hypertension and CPR education, we are assisting and supporting our neighbors with critical needs that have been made worse by the pandemic,” said Lisa Simon. “We were asked in 2019 to chair the 2021 Heart Ball, which is the largest annual fundraiser for the Heart Association in Houston. Little did we know, our country would be faced with a pandemic right around the corner. When COVID-19 hit last year, we knew immediately the idea of getting 800 or 900 people in one room, no matter how great the need, didn’t make sense. It also didn’t feel right to be raising money through a ‘gala,’ when so many in our city are struggling to keep their heads above water,” said Jerry Simon.
Jerry and Lisa reimagined the ball to be a year-round campaign called “The Heart of Houston” to replace the long-standing annual Heart Ball. Their overriding goal is to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most and to use this campaign to raise awareness and dollars to fund the mission of the American Heart Association: “To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.” Eager to take their philanthropic efforts beyond the traditional gala table, Jerry, along with volunteers from the AHA’s dedicated Platinum Sponsor, Northern Trust, distributed 100 produce boxes to families and patients served by UTHealth. Northern Trust recently changed their philanthropic giving pillars and was thrilled to see Jerry (Managing Director, Northern Trust) and Lisa working with the American Heart Association to directly impact the Houston community.
For the produce, the AHA partnered with The Common Market, a company that brings together local farmers’ goods and distributes them into our communities. As a UTHealth partner, the AHA strives to help patients be as healthy as possible, and by providing a free box of fresh produce to those that need it the most, they are able to do just that. Lisa and Jerry encourage Swoon Magazine readers to attend this great event as guests. “We have a super program planned with Yo-Yo Ma’s performance, online silent, wine, and live auctions that we know you will not want to miss!”
Please contact Kristin Luby at Kristin.Luby@heart.org or 917-747-1375 for more
information, or visit HeartofHouston.heart.org.
