The 2022 RED Gala raised $140,298 to support Heart2Heart’s ongoing outreach to South Florida seniors.
“We had a great night,” Heart2Heart CEO Juan Gallo said. “As always, we were encouraged by the outpouring of support from our caring community.
A total of 172 people attended the event. The funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and a silent auction. The silent auction featured high-value prizes like a stay in a luxury resort in the Bahamas and a trip to Ireland.
Heart2Heart also raffled off a basket of donated Apple products, sponsored by Best Roofing, which included an Apple TV+, HomePod mini, AirPods and a limited edition RED Apple Watch. Todd Dettor was the lucky winner of the raffle.
During his keynote address, Juan explained the value of advocacy in the relationship between Heart2Heart volunteers and the seniors they serve.
“Advocacy means we value and listen to the perspective of our seniors. We step into their space to understand them. It means we respect how each person chooses to live out their latter years,” Juan said. “Advocacy means we speak on their behalf with a level of empathy that comes only after spending time with them.”
Juan also reviewed the successes of three new programs Heart2Heart has launched or expanded in the last year. Those programs include:
- Food for Hope, in which volunteers deliver weekly meals to seniors living independently;
- Relief Care, where volunteers provide weekly companionship to seniors in the community, giving full-time caregivers a break; and
- C.A.R.E. Tech, which places iPads in care centers to allow residents to connect with volunteers and loved ones through video calls.
During the event, Sonata Memory Care Director David Arana spoke about Sonata’s Duets, an enrichment program designed for its memory care residents.
Community Relations Director Riana Samaroo also presented on of the Heart2Heart C.A.R.E. Scholarships, sponsored by The Dr. Bill Kent Family Foundation. Samara Rawls, a junior at Piper High School, was presented with a $2,000 scholarship. Lugas Pagel, the sophomore scholarship winner announced earlier this year, also attended the event.
Ginger Martin, CEO of American National Bank, surprised Heart2Heart by announcing a gift of $2,000 — beyond the bank’s initial sponsorship of $1,500.
Heart2Heart thanks each of its generous sponsors of its RED Gala, including Gloria Jacaruso, owner of the Pompano Minuteman Press, who donated the Gala program books.
“Overall, we have had a successful year,” Riana said. “We look forward to continuing to advocate for seniors in the months and years to come.”
