A Fostoria connection

Sashem Brey was new to northwest Ohio when she was invited to serve as master of ceremonies of the first Red Dress Luncheon conducted by ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital and its foundation. Brey had just started working for WTVG, Channel 13, in Toledo when she was asked to take part in the initial event, which promotes the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign to encourage women to take responsibility for their heart health and experience longer and stronger lives. She agreed, and a lasting relationship was formed. Brey was in Fostoria for last week's 19th Red Dress Luncheon at Stacy's Place, and the morning news anchor plans to continue attending after having missed only a very few of the events. "I became involved in it in the first year," said Brey, a Columbus native and Ohio State graduate who had recently returned to her home state from Lubbock, Texas, when she got the call from Fostoria. "I had just moved back to Ohio and they called me, in the fall, probably. I started here at 13-ABC in September of 2004, and at some point that fall they called and invited me to emcee. "I said yes. I went out that first year and everybody was incredibly warm and welcoming and I enjoyed it. And I've told this story before at the luncheon -- this was the first community event to invite me as an emcee when I had come into town. "Obviously, nobody knew who I was at that time, but they extended that invitation and were so warm and welcoming. Ever since then, it's just been one of those things where it's part of my year. I've got to be there every year if I can." Becky Bouillon, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital's community outreach coordinator, said a previous event featuring a Toledo TV personality had had a good turnout, so the committee working on the Red Dress Luncheon at the time agreed that Brey might be a good choice to emcee the luncheon. The event, which includes a heart-healthy lunch, presentations on heart health and opportunities to donate to the American Heart Association, has struck a chord with Brey. "I think she just made a connection with Fostoria," said Bouillon, who noted that Brey does not receive an appearance fee but is normally presented with a gift card each year. "It's an hour drive for her, obviously, but she's passionate about it and she gets to come back and see a lot of the same people. We've had a lot of longevity here, and I just feel like she's made a connection." Indeed, Brey said a good vibe is involved in her visits to Fostoria. "They're so kind and so welcoming and they've been sweet every single year," Brey said. "It's so fun to see them. They're more like friends." Brey said that while she has no family history or other close connection to heart disease, she's certainly familiar with it and has gained a greater knowledge from being involved in the local event. "It's about being aware," she said. "I'm just more conscious of it when other people talk about it. I'm just more conscious of the things I can do in my own life, whether or not I'm predisposed to any sort of thing. I just know there are things I can control, and so I try." Those attending the Red Dress Luncheon are asked to tip the event's celebrity waiters, with the funds being directly donated to the American Heart Association. Bouillon said this year's event drew a record 190 attendees, who filled the tip jars set at each table to the tune of $748. Bouillon said she was grateful to all who contributed to the record-breaking effort and is looking forward to next year's 20th renewal of the event, which will fall on Feb. 2. "It just warms my heart to see how Fostoria responds to this," she said. "We got new people this year. We got new waiters this year. We got new people and businesses participating. I'm thinking next year's going to be even bigger. We've only got room for one more table." And Bouillon can count on the event's traditional master of ceremonies returning. "It's been fun and I'm really excited for next year," Brey said. "Twenty years -- I'm excited to see what they do."