Some people choose do it on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower. Others take extravagant measures to spell out the big question in fireworks over an ocean. Jim Passineau wanted to go with the traditional down-on-one-knee approach.
However, his engagement to his now-fiancee Meaghan Stackman turned out to be an unexpected fairytale when Passineau found out he had won a heart-shaped pendant covered in diamonds and rubies for his sweetheart.
The pendant, which holds 0.5 carat in diamonds and 0.5 carat in rubies, was designed by David Hannoush, owner of Hannoush Jewelers in Colonie Center, as a prize for a contest sponsored by the American Heart Association’s awareness movement Go Red for Women.
The national program is designed to spread awareness about heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. For example, on Feb. 1, participants were encouraged to wear red clothing as part of the `National Wear Red Day,` to help educate women about the dangers, specifically to females, of heart disease. Also in February, a monthlong campaign was held in which paper hearts were sold for $1 donations to the American Heart Association.
`The Go Red for Women movement is to inspire women to take care of their hearts and eat healthy,` said Darlene Robbiano, American Heart Association director of Go Red for Women in Albany. Robbiano said that inspiration is important to help women protect themselves against their `No. 1 killer`heart disease.
But Go Red for Women seemed to inspire men as well, when Legrande Serras, owner of The Real Seafood Company, on Wolf Road, approached his companion, Hannoush, about ways they could get involved in the movement, and take the sale of the paper hearts one step further.
`We decided to get involved with selling the paper hearts for a drawing, and the winner of the drawing would win a pendant, which I would design,` said Hannoush. According to Hannoush, some people wanted to donate more than the cost of the hearts, and would do so upon checkout at both Hannoush Jewelers and The Real Seafood Company.
Robbiano said the support shown by the two businesses was greatly appreciated.
While Serras was unavailable for comment, Hannoush said about 150 hearts were sold at The Real Seafood Company and about 200 were sold at Hannoush Jewelers.
Of these 350 hearts, Passineau’s was the lucky winner.
`I was at the library when I found out I had won,` said Passineau, a full-time accounting major at Siena College, `I was shocked, I didn’t actually think it was a contest that was going on.`
Passineau bought a paper heart in support of the Go Red for Women cause when he prepared to purchase an engagement ring for Stackman, his long-time girlfriend. He said it was not hard to convince him to contribute $1 to a `good cause.`
The salesperson then told Passineau to keep his copy of the heart because a drawing would be held at the end of the month to determine a winner of the sparkling pendant.
Passineau was studying at the J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library on the Siena campus when his sister called him with the news.
`I thought she was joking,` said Passineau.
When Passineau was awarded his prize Thursday, April 3, he knew it was not a joke.
Without hesitation, Passineau explained his plans to give the pendant to his fiancEe. Stackman could not be present when Passineau received the jewels, but he assured the jeweler and guests who were present that she `is going to love it.`
As the couple plans to join at the altar in the near future, Passineau will bring with him the support of the American Heart Association, and Stackman, a little bit of luck hanging from her neck.“