Bringing Hearts Together: The 5th Annual HeartWorks Virtual Dinner 

February 19: A Night of Connection, Compassion, and Culinary Delight 

Each February, hundreds of partners, supporters and families touched by congenital heart defects (CHD) gather for an evening that transcends distance. They come together not in a ballroom or banquet hall, but around their own kitchen tables – connected through HeartWorks’ signature event, the HeartWorks Virtual Dinner. 

This one-of-a-kind celebration blends gourmet cuisine, heartfelt storytelling, and a shared commitment to advancing CHD research and awareness. Participants receive a curated meal kit featuring Superior Fresh salmon, Porter Family Vineyards wine (or a non-alcoholic option), and an invitation to virtually join Chef John live for an interactive cooking experience. Together, families, friends, and supporters share an evening of flavor, inspiration, and purpose all from the comfort of home. 

This coming February marks a milestone moment: the 5th Annual HeartWorks Virtual Dinner, a celebration of progress, unity, and the unwavering strength of the CHD community. 

How It All Started: From “What If?” to “We Did It” 

The idea for the HeartWorks Virtual Dinner began the way many great HeartWorks initiatives do, with a simple question. What if we could bring HeartWorks’ community together in a meaningful way, no matter where they live?  We are a nationwide nonprofit which presents a challenge of how to get everyone together and create a sense of community.  What if we could deliver an event to families?

Our cherished supporter and advisor, Tom Porter, was a key voice in this conversation of what ifs. He was wondering how HeartWorks could utilize his resources, WINE, to bring heart families together and raise awareness for our mission. This was not a new idea for Tom; Porter Family Vineyard was built on generosity and unity. In addition to HeartWorks, the Porter Family supports a school in Africa, called Amani. As a fundraiser, they created a special Amani wine, shipped the wine to their supporters and met virtually for an update from the teachers and kids impacted by their funding. 

Another crucial partnership came from Superior Fresh, the nation’s first land-based Atlantic salmon producer. Founded by the Wanek Family, the same pioneering family behind HeartWorks, Superior Fresh became the perfect culinary collaborator. Their sustainably raised salmon – a symbol of innovation, nourishment, and care – became the centerpiece of the dinner. 

With exceptional food, fine wine, and an even greater purpose, the HeartWorks Virtual Dinner was born. 

Building a Heart Family Community 

What truly sets the Virtual Dinner apart isn’t just the meal, it’s the mission. To help families feel connected and empowered, HeartWorks created Heart Family Team Pages, personalized fundraising platforms where participants can share their stories, rally supporters, and track their collective impact. 

In its first year, 26 Heart Family Teams came together, helping HeartWorks ship 375 meal kits and raise an incredible $710,000 from more than 800 donations. It was clear that this virtual gathering had tapped into something powerful: a shared determination to improve the lives of children and adults living with congenital heart defects. 

Five years later, the dinner has evolved into a cherished annual tradition. Each event brings new faces, new milestones, and new opportunities to celebrate how far the CHD community has come. 

Growing Awareness for CHD, One Dinner at a Time 

At its heart, the Virtual Dinner is about connection and awareness. While congenital heart defects affect approximately 1 in every 100 children, CHD remains one of the most underfunded areas in medical research. The Virtual Dinner serves as both a celebration and an invitation to bring friends, neighbors, and colleagues into the conversation about CHD. 

It’s an evening that combines delicious food, meaningful connection, and shared purpose. Each dinner helps expand HeartWorks’ network of advocates, caregivers, and supporters who believe in a future where every child born with a heart defect can thrive. 

Inspiration, Innovation, and Impact 

Each year’s event introduces new stories of courage and progress. Past dinners have featured inspiring guests such as Olympic champion and CHD warrior Shaun White, FOX NFL sportscaster Greg Olsen, and Matt and Tim’s mother – each offering their unique perspective on perseverance and hope. 

The 5th Annual Dinner, scheduled for February 19, 2026, promises to be especially memorable. HeartWorks will share exciting updates from its new headquarters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, including advancements in clinical trials and progress from the skin biopsy collection study. These initiatives have been made possible through the generosity of CHD patients, families, and supporters nationwide. 

Behind the scenes, the HeartWorks team dedicates countless hours to crafting an unforgettable experience. Yet the most rewarding moments arrive on dinner night, when social media fills with photos of families cooking together, raising their glasses, and celebrating the mission. These shared moments are proof that HeartWorks is not just raising funds – it’s building a community of hope. 

How You Can Be Part of the 5th Annual Virtual Dinner

This February, you can be part of something truly special. Here’s how to get involved: 

• Create Your Heart Family Team Page – Share your CHD journey, raise awareness, and track your impact through a personalized fundraising page. Add photos, updates, and messages to rally your supporters. 

• Register for the Dinner (Opens November 20) – Reserve your seat at the virtual table and receive your meal kit for two, featuring Superior Fresh salmon, Porter Family Vineyards HeartWorks Wine (or a non-alcoholic option), and access to the online event. 

• Participate in Giving Tuesday (December 2) – All team fundraising efforts will be matched up to $50,000, thanks to the generosity of Tom and Bev Porter. 

• Explore Sponsorship Opportunities – Corporate and community partners are invited to sponsor the event, gaining national visibility and engagement with more than 1,500 attendees and inclusion in 550+ meal kits shipped nationwide. 

A Celebration of Hearts, Homes, and Hope 

The HeartWorks Virtual Dinner is more than a fundraiser, it’s a testament to what’s possible when compassion meets community. Each shared meal represents a promise: to continue advancing CHD research, supporting families living with congenital heart defects, and building a future full of possibility. 

When the first meal kits are opened and the first toasts are raised, hundreds of hearts will beat together in gratitude, resilience, and love. 

Join us this February, and help HeartWorks continue turning “what if” into “we did it.”