Rob Giardinelli
The Event Announced 2026 Calendar Models Who Lit Up The Night With Support
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Catchlight Group and Daniel Ortiz
THE SCENE: The Royal Sonesta in Houston was the setting for one of Texas’s hottest fundraising galas of the year, figuratively and literally. Over 450 of Space City’s most notable community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 8th annual Red Hot Gala. Benefiting the Houston Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the night featured great food, fantastic company, and one of the state’s most innovative and unique runway shows.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd wholeheartedly embraced the red in the Red Hot-themed night. In the crowd, one could spot a dazzling array of red dresses and sport coats, while others opted to sport one of the primary firefighter accent colors, black. The result was a happy and festive environment where everyone on hand felt like family.
The fun kicked off in the Royal Sonesta Ballroom Foyer with a lively cocktail hour. Guests were wowed by how thoughtfully and creatively members of the Houston Fire Department were deployed, serving as one of the most unique ways we have seen an organization highlight what the event supported in quite some time.
and Alicia Smith
Once revelers grabbed their favorite spirits, they took the opportunity to mingle with other guests. During cocktail hour, guests perused an impressive selection of silent auction items featuring amazing luxury experiences. Additionally, patrons had the opportunity to pose for photos on fire trucks and with K-9s from the Houston Fire Department.
Partygoers then took to their seats in the Royal Sonesta Ballroom for dinner and the main program. Emcees Courtney Zavala and Houston Professional Firefighters Association President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton kept the festivities moving at a fun, brisk pace. Before guests sat down to dinner, they were treated to an acapella rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by Firefighter Joel Rice.
As guests enjoyed their multi-course meal, they were treated to words from organization and event leaders thanking them for their support and patronage. This included presenting personalized axes and firefighter helmets to the Presenting Sponsors, the Dinner Sponsor, and the Honorary Community Partner, adding a special, personal touch to the festivities.
Next, Vincent Montalbano helmed a spirited live auction. The paddles and fundraising continued to escalate the fundraising totals. Top items included a dinner at Steak 48, two United Airlines round-trip Polaris Tickets to anywhere United flies, and a private dinner at 55 Seventy.
The highlight of the night was known as the after-party number one. Here, the revelers rose to their feet as each of the 2026 Houston Firefighter Calendar recipients, 11 men and one woman, took to the stage, which only increased the temperature and energy of the room. Each of the 12 firefighters strutted the runway as their month was called. The final act of the night was after-party number two, which kept the fun going into the wee hours of the following morning, capping off an event that knows how to bring the heat.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 8th annual Red Hot Gala, chaired by Alan and Elizabeth Stein, raised over $650,000 for the Houston Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event will support the organization’s mission to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Houston firefighters and their families.
