An enthusiastic sellout crowd of about 550 braved the cold and ice and made Saturday night's Rutherford Heart Ball a highly successful event, raising a total of $192,000 net for the American Heart Association, an increase of about $30,000 over last year.

The Heart Ball guests enjoyed a menu that included filet Oscar, roasted garlic mashed cauliflower, grilled asparagus and desserts. They listened to stroke survivor and Ball honoree Anita Pirtle and her husband Mark give heartfelt thanks to the medical community at Saint Thomas who cared for her during her stroke emergency, and for the community who supported her emotionally during her recovery. Both the Ball crowd of nearly 400 and more than 150 Late Party goers danced en masse to the music of Skyline Drive until midnight.

Donations for the Rutherford Heart Ball are still being accepted at https://rutherfordheartball.ahaevents.org/site/displayPage.do?siteIdCode=KWR5V5WF&pageId=15542.

Chairs Aimee and Chip Hoover and Sarah and Bricke Murfree were pleased with the Murfreesboro community's involvement.

"We are grateful for your support and engagement. In partnership with the American Heart Association, you are truly building healthier lives."

Presenting Sponsor of the Rutherford Heart Ball is Saint Thomas Heart at Rutherford Hospital.