While many of the guests attending Saturday night's Heart Ball followed tradition and donned red gowns or red bow ties, this year's gala theme offered a sartorial twist. "Wild at Heart" made a play on jungle animal themes as reflected in the decor of the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom, so more than a few social mavens went in that direction.

Gala chairs Kim Tutcher in stunning red strapless gown and Dan Tutcher with his red bow tie stayed within the fashion comfort zone. Yet community honoree Margaret Alkek Williams, in a daring gown in shades of green with feathers on one shoulder, declared that she was channeling an exotic jungle bird. She asked her table guests to follow suit.

None took the request more to heart than Joanne King Herring, who, wearing a beauteous purple velvet sheath, toted a stuffed gorilla. "I remind my generals that this is the gorilla on their back when I'm communicating with them," she laughed referring to her goal of settling things in Afghanistan with her "Marshall Plan charities" effort.

The gala also honored Cooper Industries with the corporate award, accepted by CEO Kirk Hachigian, and Drs. Hui-Ming Chang and Edward T.H. Yeh as medical honorees.

With the powerhouse chairs and the support of numerous energy companies including Enbridge Energy and Marathon Oil, the evening sailed into the green. By night's end, more than $1.3 million was raised for the American Heart Association.

More than 700 guests filled the ballroom where animal-print overlays covered tables and fantastic arrangements of exotic florals centered each table. Kudos to Darryl & Co. for the creative design.

Mingling amid the lavish decorations were AHA board chairman Dan Wolterman and AHA board president Dr. James Willerson plus Philamena and Arthur Baird, Jana and John Scott Arnoldy, Susan and Dick Hansen, Ann and Don Short, Randa and Charles Williams, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Roxann and Tim Neumann, Laurie and Bruce Robinson, Carol and Mike Linn, Nancy and Ted Reynolds, Patty and Bill Porter and Bette and Ralph Thomas.