Events with Heart Unite Thousands in Support of a World of Longer, Healthier Lives

Events with Heart Unite Thousands in Support of a World of Longer, Healthier LivesThe third week of May brought a triple header of American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region events including Hearts Delight Wine Tasting & Auction and Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 5K and Fun Walk. The week concluded with the Association’s community impact team hosting a free miniature farmers market at Langley Park Day and included health education and a COVID-19 vaccine clinic supported by the We Can campaign and the Department of Health and Human Services.

From May 17 – 20, world-class winemakers, chefs, wine collectors and foodies gathered in Washington, DC for the nation’s only four-day celebration of food and wine benefiting the American Heart Association. The 23rd Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction chaired by John Bozzella, CEO of the Association of Global Automakers, showcased the best in Bordeaux wines, attracting attendees from around the globe.

Festivities kicked off on Wednesday with the Congress Has Heart Reception & Collectors Dinner at the Henri where Congressman Andy Barr was featured as an honoree.  Thursday was the Embassy & Winemaker Dinner Series which included intimate meals and wine tastings at private homes, restaurants, and embassies. On Friday, guests enjoyed a black-tie affair at Washington, DC’s iconic Union Station for the highly-anticipated Vintners Dinner & Auction that highlighted the wines of Château Léoville Las Cases presented by Jean-Guillaume Prats and then paired with exquisite cuisine. The celebration concluded on Saturday as guests were transported to Bordeaux with a master class hosted by wine expert, Jane Anson and featuring the 2020 vintage followed by a grand tasting featuring food prepared by celebrated chefs and wines from around the world. Throughout the week guests bid on exclusive wine lots, unique travel experiences and more in exciting live and silent auctions.

Events with Heart Unite Thousands in Support of a World of Longer, Healthier Lives

Award Recipient Linda Gooden, Soula Antoniou and Kelly Grose at the Heart’s Delight Vintners Dinner.

As a special surprise at Friday’s Vintners Dinner, long-time Association volunteer and board member, Linda Gooden received the national American Heart Association Morgan Stark award for her leadership, information technology expertise and passion for the mission. Gooden accepted the award on stage and will also be featured at the virtual National Volunteer Awards program on June 14. A huge congratulations goes to the Heart’s Delight staff team for raising over $1.7 million and hosting a successful series of events that convened over one thousand guests at new venues throughout the city.

Events with Heart Unite Thousands in Support of a World of Longer, Healthier Lives

David Jaffe, John Harrity and Soula Antoniou at Lawyers Have Heart.

Also on May 20, over 4000 runners and walkers came together for the 33rd Lawyers Have Heart event in West Potomac Park in Washington, DC – the site of the first-ever Lawyers Have Heart event. The new race course featured stunning Potomac views and took runners across the Arlington Memorial Bridge and around the Tidal Basin. The expanded finish line festival featured a Kid Zone, a Pet Party, and a larger hospitality garden in addition to the numerous sponsor meet-up areas and interactive booths where participants can learn Hands-Only CPR, pay tribute to a loved one, and take team photos. Lawyers Have Heart began in 1991 as a running and walking event for the legal community and has evolved into a staple on DC’s running calendar attracting runners and walkers of all levels of experience and from all walks of life. A HUGE congratulations to Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 5K and Fun Walk Co-Chairs, John Harrity of Harrity and Harrity LLP and David Jaffe of American University Washington College of Law, along with the staff team, for raising a record-breaking $1.42 million dollars that will save and improve lives.

If you couldn’t make it, there’s still time to support both of these events and contribute:  www.heartsdelightwineauction.org and www.lawyershaveheartdc.org.

Finally, on Sunday, May 21 the Greater Washington Region Community Impact team with support from the U.S. Department

Events with Heart Unite Thousands in Support of a World of Longer, Healthier Lives

The Community Impact team’s farm stand at Langley Park Day.

of Health and Human Services, offered free COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines at a community event held in Langley Park, Maryland. An important touchpoint to the community, over 650 people attended Langley Park Day which featured a variety of local organizations and vendors. The American Heart Association team also hosted a miniature farmers market with giveaways totaling 150 bags of free produce and 100 healthy meals from the on-site Peruvian Brothers food truck. They distributed critical health information and collaborated with Giant Food on vaccine awareness and education.