For the past 18 years, the Red Ribbon Gala has been one of Tulsa’s premier fundraising events, raising money for, and awareness of, Tulsa CARES, the nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of caring for people with HIV/AIDS.
For its 19th iteration, what once was a “gala” will be transformed into an “experience.” That is what this year’s co-chairs, Ryan Tanner and Jay Krottinger, promise for the 2016 Red Ribbon Gala.
“We’re re-imagining the whole idea of a gala,” Tanner said. “That’s why we’re calling this the Red Ribbon Experience. We wanted to put a strong focus on the people — our clients, our patrons, and our donors.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Tulsa CARES, which assists low-income individuals who live with HIV, by providing everything from groceries and meals, rent and utility assistance, to counseling for groups and individuals and professional case management.
More than 1,000 people in the Tulsa area are living with HIV/AIDS.
Those attending Red Ribbon will first pass through an exhibit that traces the history of Tulsa CARES, how its work has evolved as the HIV infection has evolved from a fatal illness to a still chronic, yet manageable disease.
“The exhibit will have monitors showing interviews of people telling their stories about how their lives have been affected by the work Tulsa CARES does,” Tanner said. “It’s one way to educate people, to remove the stigma that has been attached to people with HIV and work against all the myths that are out there.”
Tulsa CARES will officially open the Charles Faudree Center, named for the late interior designer who was a longtime proponent of Tulsa CARES, the week after the gala. The new facility, at 3712 E. 11th St., will triple the number of people Tulsa CARES can help.
“We’re going to provide our patrons with a way to tour the new center before it opens, thanks to 3-D virtual reality,” Tanner said.
The event will also include a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, entertainment by nine-piece band Groove Merchants and auctions featuring a number of extra-special prizes— from a commissioned painting from Tulsa artist Patrick (P.S.) Gordon, to attending a taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” to tickets for the Adele concert in Dallas.
Those who purchase a Red Ticket will be entered in a drawing to select one of the auction items (the Adele tickets are not part of this). One winner will be chosen, and the winner must be present to win.
The 2016 Red Ribbon Gala will also honor Patricia Chernicky, who has been active as a board member and volunteer for Tulsa CARES for 15 years.
“She has been a major force behind the scenes for years and has done extraordinary work at opening people’s eyes to what this organization can and should do,” Tanner said. “A lot of people, myself and Jay included, are involved with Tulsa CARES because of Patricia’s passionate advocacy.”
Event details: 6 p.m. Saturday at the Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center. Attire: Black tie, accented with red.
Sponsors: George Kaiser Family Foundation, Stafford and Irene Burnstein Foundation, Ryan Jude Tanner and Jay Krottinger.
Tickets: $500. Red Ticket, $250. Patron tickets, $750-$25,000. To purchase: 918-834-4194, redribbongala.org.
For more information: tulsacares.org.
