Society / Featured Parties

The 2022 Tarrant County Heart Ball Raises Funds For the American Heart Association

The "Boots and Bling"-Themed Event Will Support CPR Training in Fort Worth

BY // 04.25.22

The annual Tarrant County Heart Ball benefiting the American Heart Association is a longstanding tradition in Fort Worth. Each year, the event raises awareness of the nonprofit’s mission, as well as critical funds for the North Texas-based organization’s programs. 

On Saturday, April 23 at The Ashton Depot in downtown Fort Worth, the black-tie ball, co-chaired by residents Jennifer and Kyle Riggs, will be a boot-stomping good time. With a theme of “boots and bling,” patrons will mix black-tie attire with Western chic. Guests will enjoy a silent auction, live auction, three-course seated dinner and entertainment by Nature Change Band.

The event aims to raise more than $500,000. In the last year, funds from previous Heart Balls provided CPR kits for community training, established stroke protocol policies, reached 10,000 patients through clinical outpatient programs, and provided more than three million people with life-saving information.

The Riggs have a personal connection to the American Heart Association and the importance of CPR. In August 2019, Kyle was 36 years old and started experiencing heart pains. Thinking it could be either the scorching hot weather or dehydration, he stopped into the store to pick up some aspirin while the family was on the way to celebrate their kindergartener’s first day of school. Jen and the children waited in the car, but Kyle never came out of the store.

After an ambulance pulled up on the scene, Jennifer and her two other children went inside to look for Kyle. He had collapsed on the floor with a flurry of activity around him. A neighbor had also been shopping at the same time and, knowing CPR, took over to save Kyle’s life until the paramedics arrived.

“CPR is the only reason I had the chance to make it to the hospital,” Kyle says.

An artery blockage caused the dramatic event, but after six days in the ICU of a Fort Worth hospital, Kyle has been able to enjoy exercising six times a week, going on family vacations and seeing his children celebrate birthdays. As co-chairs of the 2022 Tarrant County Heart Ball, the Riggs family wants to increase the number of those who know CPR.

“It 100 percent saved my life,” Kyle says. “We want to spread the importance of CPR, and we want more people to know it.”

Each year, 475,000 people die from cardiac arrest in the United States. CPR training can change that number. The American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) trains more than 23 million people globally every year by educating healthcare providers, caregivers, and the public on how to respond to cardiac arrest and first aid emergencies.

“I have seen the impact heart disease and stroke have on our communities,” says Emile Blaine, executive director of American Heart Association Fort Worth. “I am excited to be in a position to have conversations with community partners on how we can systematically fix these issues to improve the health outcomes for all Tarrant County residents.”

Sponsorships for the 2022 event, starting at $5,000, are still available.

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the AHA website or contact Jason Morton at Jason.Morton@heart.org.

Society / Featured Parties

The Woodlands’ $1 Million Housing Hope Push — A Record Night Boosts Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Mission

Allowing Dreams To Take Flight

BY // 05.23.25

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County’s Building Hope gala shattered all expectations, raising more than $1 million. It is the most successful fundraising event in the organization’s history.

Chaired by Tina Rivera and Kim Soderberg, the Kentucky Derby-themed gala drew more than 600 supporters. Everyone placed their bets on a night full of fun — enjoying silent and live auctions, wine and bourbon pulls, a jewelry raffle, a squares game and the ever-popular “Build-A-Home” paddle raise. The mint juleps flowed in true Derby style.

The funds raised will support Habitat MCTX’s mission to build safe, affordable homes and expand vital initiatives. These include making critical home repairs for those in need, a Veterans Build program and Aging in Place programs across Montgomery County. On average, it costs the organization $120,000 to build a single home.

“This milestone is more than a number. It’s a sign of momentum and what’s possible when a community rallies together,” Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County executive director Vicki Johnson says. “We’re deeply thankful to everyone who made this night such a success.

“With this support, we can continue expanding our reach and building brighter futures.”

Habitat for Humanity Building Hope gala 2025
Charles Merdian, board president of Habitat MCTX, Vicki Johnson, executive director of Habitat MCTX, Tina Rivera and Laura and David Piccione at Habitat for Humanity’s Building Hope gala at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. (Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity MCTX)

Honoring Volunteers and Community

Wayne and Deborah Austin were this year’s honorees, recognized for their longstanding commitment to Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County. Since 2008, they have served in numerous volunteer leadership roles. Wayne is a past board president and currently sits on the advisory council and the Capital Campaign Committee. Deborah chairs the Family Support Committee and serves on the Architectural Review Committee in Cedar Creek, an all-Habitat neighborhood.

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Charles Merdian, president and CFO of LGI Homes, shared exciting news about the Magnolia neighborhood, which will eventually welcome more than 200 families.

“It’s a vision of growth, stability and generational impact,” Merdian says. “It’s already becoming a reality, thanks to the extraordinary people here.”

He expressed deep gratitude for the capital campaign donors. “Your leadership and generosity have helped us raise $5 million,” Merdian says. “You’re helping us lay the foundation for more than just homes. You’re helping us build hope, community and opportunity.”

Merdian also acknowledges that while progress has been impressive, the journey is far from over. “With over $6 million left to raise, we still have work to do,” he notes. “You have the opportunity to help us reach a major milestone and set the stage for what comes next.”

Building hope gala Habitat for Humanity 2025
Harvey Dunn’s Paint Jam brought lightning-fast painting to the Habitat for Humanity gala at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. (Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity MCTX)

Habitat for Humanity’s Hope in Action

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when Habitat homeowner Jeanette shared her journey to homeownership.

“There are many families that need a home: people like me who just need a little help and want to raise their children in a quiet, nice neighborhood. People who need hope,” Jeanette says. “Bless each one of you for donating tonight and supporting Habitat for Humanity. It really does change lives.”

Jeanette now lives in Conroe’s Cedar Creek, which is nearing completion. Habitat MCTX will begin building homes in its next neighborhood Marble Creek, in 2026. This 81-acre community in Magnolia will have walking trails, parks and shared green spaces along with 203 homes.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, go here.

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