"Just Wear Red" was the call for the recent Tulsa CARES Red Ribbon Gala at Southern Hills Country Club.
Everyone did just that. Even the tables in the club's garden room were dressed in crimson, and people sipped red martinis during the evening, which included a gourmet dinner and live and silent auctions.
"The Red Ribbon Gala brings out Tulsa's best," said Sharon Thoele, executive director of the Tulsa Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support, during the event.
Sharon told gala chairwoman Ouida Merrifield that it was a joy to work with her and noted the organization that helps those who are affected by HIV and AIDS is surrounded by "the heart and soul of a caring community."
She recognized board president Bob Stewart, honorary gala chairmen Nora and Dr. Stan White, Charles Faudree, Toni Garner, P.S. Gordon, Mary Quinn Cooper, Maricarolyn Swab, Tracey Norvell, Nancy Vaughn, Jay Litchfield, Becky Billings, Irene Bray, Martha Bruner, Dr. Robert Coffey, Ernestine Dillard, Susan Sadler and Shari Tidwell.
Thanks also went to advisory board member Greg Kach, there with his wife, Connie; Julie Kruger, there with her husband, Warren; Joel Norvell; Suzanne Schreiber; and Steve Wright.
Sharon noted that Tulsa CARES "is all about partnerships," including Janice Nicklas and the Community Service Council, Linda Jenkins and United Way, and Joy Kelly and Spirit Bank.
She added that the organization also partners with the public and private sector to avoid duplication of services and to provide a continuum of care for people living with HIV.
"Our clientele is the poorest of the poor," Sharon said. "They make choices each day as to whether or not they will pay their rent, purchase their medications, or put food on the table -- and on top of that they have AIDS."
The Tulsa CARES mission is to provide a safe haven for those who have none.
Sharon also thanked all of those attending and noted that many have supported "this cause for more than 10 years."
Ouida Merrifield said the event touches "people I love very deeply, and that seals my conviction that this work is noble and just." She thanked Robert Lupo for bringing the country club to life and Toni Garner and Toni's Flowers for the bouquets on the tables.
Those in the crowd included Carol Pielsticker, Sue and Dr. Steve Gerkin, Kathy Taylor and Bill Lobheck, Linda and Ray Booker, Kathleen and James Andrews, Cheryl and Jack Lenhart, and Ouida and Robert Merrifield.
Also, Julie and Warren Kruger, Leanne Helmreich, Peter Walte, Mary and Frank Cooper, Mary and Judge Tom Brett, Sally and Tom Hughes, Linda and Dr. Bill Loughridge, Judy and Paul Kantor, Gloria and Ed McFarland, and Gena and Bob Franden.
Also, Francesanne and John Tucker, Nancy and Terry Ingram, Dede and Rick Siegfried, Janice and Burke Reynolds, Beth and Robert Sachse, Nancy and Martin Vaughn, Vaughndean and Dr. Munson Fuller, Kristen and Rob White, Lois and Dr. Bill Condrin, Stephanie Luellen, Wiley Parsons, Tanner Voskamp, Libby DeVerges and David Frederick.
Others there were Mari and John Kelly Warren, Maricarolyn and Brett Swab, Shawn Lovejoy, Marian and Jim McCarthy, Rebecca Howard, Thomas Conner, Cindy Lalonde, Jeff Swab, Pat Gordon, Marc Watkins, and Kristen and Tiffen Keneally.
It's that time of year again. The Tulsa Cerebral Palsy Association presents its 41st annual Red Glove Revue fund-raiser at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights at the Van Trease Performing Arts Center. A Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m.
The revue will feature KTUL's Carole Lambert and the Tulsa Praise Orchestra at 8 p.m.
Five-year-old Keely Orpin is this year's poster child.
TCPA president Tracey Chalmers said Kathy LaFortune and her daughter, Jackie, have joined the cast. President-elect Kathy Cooley added that the organization started receiving ticket requests as early as December for the show, which she called upbeat and just plain fun.
The Tulsa Cerebral Palsy Association raises funds each year to provide equipment, physical therapy and post-high school education. It recently sponsored an adopt-a-bear program for children with cerebral palsy.
"Nearly every cent raised goes toward those suffering from cerebral palsy who live in Tulsa or the surrounding communities," Tracey said.
Sponsors include Tulsa World-Lorton Families, Wal-Mart, Sourcecorp, Apache Corp., American Residential, Fabricut, Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising, KTUL-channel 8, Samson Resources Inc, Zarrow Families Foundation, Boeing, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Therapy Time, B&B Liquor, Canfield and Joseph, Woodland Hills Mall, W.N. Couch, Dr. Marc Goldberg and Cooling Products.
Tickets are $15 for reserved seating. Box seats are $25 each. Ticket prices are $12 for general admission and $10 for those 65 and older. Call 744-6800.
