JOANNE STEWART -- For a good cause

NEWPORT BEACH -- JoAnne Stewart -- single mother, board chairman of E.Com

Technologies and a volunteer with the American Heart Assn. -- said it

best herself.

“Give a busy person something to do, and they get it done,” said Stewart,

a petite blond wearing a navy and white designer suit.

Stewart’s motivation for her 18-year commitment with the nonprofit

organization is simple: Heart ailments have struck her loved ones.

“I have a passion for it. This disease has touched my family and my

friends,” Stewart said. “ I also believe people should give back.”

Just five weeks ago, her 76-year-old father successfully underwent

quadruple bypass surgery.

It is Stewart’s goal to help raise funds for the heart association, while

increasing public awareness about heart disease. This year, she is

chairwoman of the association’s only black-tie fund-raising gala, taking

place May 13 at the Four Season’s Hotel in Newport Beach.

Heading a committee of a dozen women, Stewart is overseeing menu

selection, plans for the live and silent auction, entertainment and

sponsorships. The evening’s goal is to raise $300,000.

An association spokeswoman stressed the importance of Stewart’s work.

“The most important factor in a nonprofit organization is your volunteer

base,” said Patrice M. Poidmore, director of social events. “She has done

a tremendous job of getting key people involved. It is a job on top of a

job.”

But Stewart, who has worked almost 40 hours a month on the gala since

September, said it is second nature for her.

“It’s aggressive, but it is attainable,” she said. “It’s what makes the

world go ‘round. We know that we are making a difference.”

Stewart also helps spread the word about the organization’s new community

program, Operation Heartbeat.

The program aims to decrease the number of deaths resulting from heart

attack and cardiac arrest by strengthening the “chain of survival.” The

“links” in the chain represent the steps that must be taken to survive a

heart attack: early access, early CPR, early defibrillation and early

advanced care, Stewart said.

Another reason for her involvement, she said, is that the association is

extremely organized and easy to work for.

“There is a lot of great support.”

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