It was an evening the place braveness met couture as friends turned up the warmth on the Houston Fireplace Fighters “Purple Scorching Gala,” celebrating its eighth anniversary on the Royal Sonesta Houston. Benefiting the Houston Skilled Firefighters Charitable Basis, the fiery fête honored Houston’s bravest whereas elevating greater than $500,000 earlier than the primary champagne cork even popped.
Hosted by Patrick “Marty” Lancton and media maven Courtney Zavala, the night balanced reverence with revelry, saluting on a regular basis heroes in turnout gear as a substitute of tuxedos.
Gala chairs Elizabeth and Alan Stein led the cost, welcoming sponsors ExxonMobil’s Alvin Abraham, Bobbie Nau, and Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, together with dinner sponsor Edna Meyer-Nelson. The muse’s 2025 Neighborhood Companion, United Airways, acquired particular recognition as Noemi Scantlebury accepted the award on behalf of the airline.
A 12-foot fake bronze firefighter sculpture by artist Rodney Davis commanded consideration, as did the gang itself: A mixture of gala glam and firehouse consolation. Some friends opted for sequined sparkle, whereas others saved it cool and informal. This system brimmed with emotion, particularly throughout a video montage that includes firefighters waking up, saying goodbye to family members, and heading into uncertainty with quiet bravery. The room fell silent, then erupted in applause.
Later, Elizabeth and Alan Stein have been gifted customized firefighter jackets earlier than the warmth actually rose through the 2026 Houston Firefighter Calendar reveal. For the fourth time, a feminine firefighter joined the lineup, and the gang’s response was thunderous. Amid the cheers and flashes, the message remained clear: These women and men might look runway-ready, however they’re not entertainers.
They’re heroes.
The night additionally featured a high-energy reside public sale led by Vincent Montalbano, with standout prizes together with a Steak 48 dinner, United Polaris round-trip tickets, and a Snowmass journey. Tony Bradfield of Tenenbaum Jewelers added sparkle with luxurious drawings for Dom Pérignon and reward certificates as much as $5,000.
CultureMap seen have been Pat Mann and Tim Phillips, Shantell and Brian Wischnewsky, Aimee and Jerry Bingham, Carolina Oliveira, Brigitte Kalai, Invoice Baldwin, Jo Ann Petersen and Mike Taylor, Gaye Lynn and Stuart Zarrow, Dee and James Darby, Cynthia Wolff, Alicia Smith, Patti Murphy, Beth Muecke, Mayor John Whitmire, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux, Carol and Invoice Lawler, Tori and Ed DeCora, Houston Fireplace Chief Thomas Munoz, Commissioner Daybreak Buckingham and Dr. Ed Buckingham, Robert Tijerina, Texas State Consultant Lacy Hull, George Dodge, Allison and Jack Jensen, Betty and Daniel DuBose, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Elyse Elsenbrook and Drew Tolson, Kate and Evan Elsenbrook, Michele and Youval Meicler, Joanna Marks, Lynden and Jacob Stein, Clay and Jay McKenna, Darrik Dillard, and Randi and Chris Boleman.
