Just a little push from PULSE and hearts beat a little faster for the bevy of beauties who showed up at the American Heart Association's Paint the Town Red cocktail party at the Meridian House. Little red dresses were de rigueur. Although Blacktie-DC's fav was Kelly Broder, 2011 Paint the Town Red Host Committee, Surescripts, Associate General Counsel. Kelly looked fab in her sequined sheath with its sheer vertical wrap.

Dashing dudes made our day, we were in a swoon and couldn't remember,  was it Host Committee or Pulse Committee? Our hearts beat faster as we flashed  for John Gifft, The Horizon Strategies Group, Justin Magazine of Humboldt Hospitality Advisors and Xavier Equihua of Federal Strategies Group, Inc. And, a man worth mentioning, Kenneth A. Gary, Associate Publisher, The National Law Journal. Look them up in the photo gallery.

Here's who made it happen. Chair Stephanie Baucus, Perennial Strategy Group; PULSE Chair, Steve Immergut, Booz Allen Hamilton; PULSE Vice Chair, Casey Golden, smallact, PULSE Vice Chair. Stephanie didn't skip a heart beat gathering a gaggle of generous supporters, including Senator Max Baucus, (D-MT). The men from Verras were Stephanie supporters of PULSE and AHA as well - Tom M. Kish, President and CEO, Verras Healthcare International, Dennis J. Patterson, Chairman, Verras Healthcare International and William C. Mohlenbrock, MD, Verras, Ltd. Very nice, Stephanie!

What's a party without the marvelous Miss  K Street Kate, always incomparable. "I knew everyone would wear red," quipped Kate, set apart by her elegant emerald satin something adorned by shimmering outsized earrings, perfectly framing her fabulous face.

Junior League's CC Christakos, US Department of Labor, joined in reminding Blacktie-DC that this group understands what it takes to support DC's many fundraising events and the nonprofits they benefit.

Setting the fashonistas straight the amazing Miss A appeared. Of course, "Charity Meets Style" might be Painting the Town Red on any given night, but we'd all agree, tonight was special. And hearts do beat a little faster when the adorable Miss A enters the room.

Honored Guest Jennifer Donelan, ABC 7 reporter, shared her story, and that was very special. Her life changed on September 8, 2010 when, "I had a heart attack. At 36 years old, I had a heart attack." Jennifer Donelan is not alone; heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women. Nearly 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases each day - one person every 39 seconds. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year than cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases and accidents combined.

Other celebrity guests included Anny Hong, Meteorologist/Report 9NewsNow, WUSA9; Quin Woodward Pu, Editor-in-Chief, Little Black Blog; Casey Golden, "El Capitan" smallact (pleased to meet you!). Corporate celebrities include Pedro Pablo Permuy, Senior Vice President, Public & Governmental Affairs, absi Corporation, Natallie Douglas, Hilton Worldwide, Louren Pomponio, Popchips, Kelly Broder, Surescripts, Megan A. Christensen, Black Rome LLP and Kimberly Sackin, IBM Global Business Services.

And most of the above mentioned guests also served on the 2011 Paint the Town Red Host Committee and the 2011 PULSE Committee. PULSE is a group of local, young professionals striving to engage friends, and coworkers to educate, inspire, and develop the habit of philanthropy dedicated to changing the health of a new generation. PULSE promotes heart health through various group activities focused on fitness and nutrition.

Blacktie-DC gives the best party yet award to American Heart Association Greater Washington Region staff Roxana Hoveyda, Marketing & Communications Director, and Eliza Kanovsky. These ladies made our work fun.