A sell-out crowd helped raise more than $275,000 during Tulsa CARES' (Center for AIDS Resources, Education, and Support) 13th Annual Red Ribbon Gala held recently at Southern Hills Country Club.
More than 300 people enjoyed the red-tie optional evening that began with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, a live auction led by Jay Litchfield and entertainment from Oklahoma's own Sam Harris, actor and recording artist.
Former Mayor Kathy Taylor and Bill Lobeck were honorary chairpersons, Ty Kaszubowski was event chairman and Fox 23's Chera Kimiko was the emcee.
Proceeds will be used to provide social services for low-income men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS throughout Northeastern Oklahoma.
The event also paid tribute to Dr. Robert Coffey, a longtime Tulsa CARES board member who recently passed away. As past board president and current board chairman, Dr. Coffey was passionate about helping Tulsa CARES reach its goal of permanent housing. More than $50,000 was raised from the Red Ribbon Gala's Gifts from the Heart program and will be donated to the building fund in Dr. Coffey's name.
Tulsa CARES board members include: board president Pat Chernicky, Raj Basu, Dan Burnstein, William Clark, Lincoln Cochran, Kari Culp, Francie Faudree, Toni Garner, Shannon Hall, Mike Keys, Jay Krottinger, Blake Loveless, Jennifer Maloy, Charlotte Mindeman, Susan Rainey, Shea Roach, Brandon Rule, Susan Sadler, Kim Scrivner, Kim Smith, Bob Stewart, Ryan Jude Tanner and Brian Weatherman.
Other guests included Christopher Forbes, Otho Kerr III, Mark and Ann Farrow, Carter and Dr. Mary Johnson, Dr. Jay Wheeler, Kendra Magruder, Jason and India Carter, Peter Walter, Deacon and Piper Turner, Kellnor Siegfried, Dr. Brian and Dr. Patti Chaulkin, Dr. Terry Cline, Bruce and Jane Weber, Alan Ratzlaff, Ron Painter, Robert and Beth Sachse, John and Mary Ann Bumgarner, Jason Martin, Steve and Karen Mitchell, Jeremiah Botchlet, Kim Hutton, Ethan Warlick, Chris and Lauren Graber, Ron and Robin LaButti, JW and Mollie Craft, Monica Basu, Ben Stewart, Chris Murphy, Dan and Vida Schuman, Todd Pyland, John Sharpe, Greg and Julie Wood, Heather McGraw, Isaac Rocha, Mia Oven, Julie Kruger, Janice Nicklas, Stephen Eberle, Dr. Frank and Dr. Heather Bell, Dennis Neill, John Southard, Joe and Nancy McDonald, Tracey Norvell, Terry and Connie Doverspike, Greg and Suzanne Maniss, Buddy and Dottie Kleemeier, Dr. Paul Sechrist, Jeff and Connie Cope, Bob and Liz Austin, Jim and Marian McCarthy, Blake Loveless, Nancy Van Doren, Dr. Eric Sherburn, Leigh Ann Moss, Richard and Elayne Coffey, Andy Kinslow, Bill and Amy Clark, Clay and Lindley Welch, Mary Jo Kimbro, Bill Carpenter, and Mickey Harris.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation was the presenting sponsor.
Other major patrons included Pat Chernicky, Robin and Ron LaButti, Lobeck-Taylor Family Foundation, Paula Marshall and Isaac Rocha, Julie and John Nickel, Susan and Jack Arnold, Arvest Bank, Drs. Heather and Frank Bell, BKD, LLP, Dan Burnstein, India and Jason Carter, Charles Faudree, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Toni Garner and Alan Ratzlaff, Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson P.C., David Herro and Jay Franke, Robert Coffey, M.D. and Andy Kinslow, Gay & Lesbian Fund of Tulsa, Greg Holt, M.D., Ty Kaszubowski and Mike Keys, Julie Shade Kruger, Karen and Steve Mitchell, Oklahoma Magazine, Patriot Bank, Kim Smith, St. Francis Health System, IRS "Publication 590," Bob Stewart, Brian Weatherman and Neel Zink.
Other sponsors included Asphalt and Fuel Supply LLC, Coretz Family Foundation, Barbara Hanford and Joanne Hearst Castro, Susan and Bo Rainey, Schnake Turnbo Frank | PR, Stonebridge Technologies.
Other donors were Talmadge Powell, Toni's Flowers, Saied Music and AVCOM Productions, Biga Restaurant, The Palace Café, The Brasserie, and Geoffrey van Glabbeek from The Restaurant at Gilcrease.
