2025 HEARTS Award Recipient

John Rot & The H Foundation

The HEARTS Award recognizes individuals and organizations within the Home Furnishings Industry who have gone above and beyond with their generosity and service to their communities.

“The H Foundation truly deserves the HEARTS Award this year because of their sustained, unwavering commitment to funding innovative cancer research,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Their impactful community engagement and dedication brings hope to those affected by cancer and inspires us all to come together in the fight against this disease."

Since the H Foundation’s inception in 2001, the Lighting Industry has come together to support The H Foundation’s efforts in the fight against cancer. Nearly forty percent of all dollars raised by The H Foundation annually are donated by individuals and companies within the Lighting Industry.

“When we began planning for the first Goombay Bash, I made the decision to reach out to friends in the Lighting Industry who had welcomed me into the industry when I became the owner of Hortons Home Lighting,” said John Rot, President of The H Foundation. “I never could have imagined that 23 years later, The H Foundation would be the largest charity supported by the Lighting Industry and that our mission would resonate with so many.”

Cancer became personal to John in 2000 when his friend, Pam Herts, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. Pam’s battle inspired John and a group of friends to take action, and in 2001, they hosted the first Goombay Bash. Since its founding, The H Foundation has raised over $13 million, donating nearly every dollar raised to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. These funds are used as seed money for basic science cancer research projects to help them compete for additional government or private funding.

“It is an honor for The H Foundation to be recognized as the 2025 HEARTS Award recipient,” said Cortney Hausser, Executive Director of The H Foundation. “John is extremely humble and likes to avoid the spotlight, but this award is something that should be celebrated in his honor. Through John’s leadership, determination, and compassion the Goombay spirit was created and lives through the saying Cancer is Personal to all of us… TOGETHER we will find a cure.”

Please join us in celebrating this enormous honor! If you are inspired, please donate to the H Foundation in John's honor, and share your congratulations at the link below.

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About the HEARTS Award


Lightovation, the largest residential lighting show in North America takes place in Dallas each January and June. During the January market, the Dallas Market Center hosts an event called the ARTS Awards. The ARTS Awards is the premier international awards program dedicated to the home furnishings industry. The gala presents awards to 28 categories across all home furnishing categories.

During the pandemic, the ARTS Awards were postponed. In place of the usual gala event, ART worked with 12 other home furnishing industry associations to recognize members for their outstanding generosity and selflessness. Participants responded with such enthusiasm and warmth that the HEARTS Award became an ongoing element of the ARTS Awards event.

Learn more about the HEARTS Award

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