There’s no party like a Living for Zachary party! In honor of 15 years of saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), Living for Zachary hosted its 15th Annual HeartBeats Gala at Gilley’s Dallas. With approximately 350 guests in attendance donning everything from cowboy boots to hats, fringe, and bolo ties, it was poised to be a night to remember.
Living for Zachary’s annual HeartBeats Gala, held each February, is not only an opportunity to raise critical funds needed to continue our mission into the future, but also a chance to look back at past accomplishments with gratitude for where we’ve been, who we’ve impacted, and change we’ve made. The 15th Annual HeartBeats Gala was no exception, as guests had the opportunity to hear about milestones they’ve been part of helping us reach since the loss of Zachary Schrah to SCA in 2009.
After exploring hundreds of Silent Auction items and taking their seats, Living for Zachary Ambassador, Camden Thrailkill, welcomed guests to the event and shared some of our greatest impacts to date.
Since 2009, Living for Zachary has:
- Dedicated more than $31,000,000 towards cardiovascular care across Texas
- Impacted over 1.4 million people with its programs and services
But, as Camden reminded guests, “The one thing more exciting than our past, is our future.”
After a delicious barbecue dinner break, President and Founder Karen Schrah took to the stage. She reflected on the life and loss of her son, Zac, and the countless lives that have been saved in his honor. She then cast a vision for the next 15 years, including plans of expansion for our Youth Heart Screening Program, AED Donation Program, SuperHeart Program, and more.
Karen then welcomed award-winning auctioneer, Morgan Hopson, to the stage to kick off the most exciting part of the evening – Live Auction! With seven lots filled with incredible travel, food and beverage experiences, top bidders took home unforgettable prizes to enjoy in the year ahead.
After an inspiring video showcasing a life impacted by Living for Zachary’s AED Donation Program in 2024, the evening was concluded with an opportunity for guests to invest in the future of Living for Zachary to ensure more hearts can be saved in the years ahead. The program concluded, and guests hopped onto the dancefloor to dance the night away to tunes by live band, Haywire, complete with line dancing lessons.
The 15th Annual HeartBeats Gala raised over $490,000 towards the mission to save lives from SCA in youth. We are incredibly grateful to our guests, sponsors, and all behind-the-scenes who made this magical evening come to life! Thank you for your support of Living for Zachary.
