It never quite hit home how invaluable the American Red Cross is until two close friends of mine had their apartment building burn down on Hyde Street in Nob Hill last fall due to some careless neighbors next door. The Red Cross took them in for a few nights, fed them and kept them sane. There are countless similar stories about the Red Cross to be told across the country, and there's no better time to honor the venerable organization at its annual Paint the Town Red gala in Union Square on April 16.

But first, there's a launch party to get the ball rolling at the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum at SFO next Wednesday, March 16. In attendance to feed you and participating in a regional cook-off will be some of the Bay Area's best chefs, like Elizabeth Falkner of Orson, Jeremy Goldfarb of Marin's 123 Bolinas, and Tammy Huynh of Tamarine in Palo Alto. Enjoy premium cocktails from Grey Goose, hors d'oeuvres from Slanted Door and Tacolicious, and dance beats from DJ Dylan Cahill.

It's a mere $45 for a ticket that helps the Red Cross Bay Area chapter help people in need every day. If you've already got tickets to the April gala, the paunch party is free. Get them here!