Tulsa proved it cares for Tulsa CARES, as the 19th annual Red Ribbon Gala set new records for attendance and funds raised.
This year’s event, held Feb. 27 at the Cox Business Center, drew more than 630 attendees and raised a total of $952,000, a 63 percent increase over the 2015 gala.
Guests were treated to an interactive exhibit of the story of Tulsa CARES, which marks its 25th year in 2016, through the stories of its clients and supporters.
In addition, guests could take virtual reality tours of the new Tulsa CARES facility, the Charles Faudree Center, which will allow the organization to triple its services.
The event’s success was due to the efforts of Chairmen Ryan Jude Tanner and Jay Krottinger, who partnered with Talmadge Powell Creative for months of event and design planning.
“Our goal as event planners was to create an environment where guests were both entertained and educated about this important cause,” says Todd Pyland, creative director for Talmadge Powell Creative.
The gala honored Patricia Chernicky for her 15 years of work with the agency and her other philanthropic services in Tulsa. The Tulsa CARES Board of Directors announced the Patricia Chernicky Luminary Award to be given annually to those in the community who have supported Tulsa CARES and other philanthropic organizations.
Tulsa CARES is a social services agency that focuses on creating an environment where those affected with HIV/AIDS at lower income levels have equal opportunities for healthy living. This Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency serves more than 600 clients in Northeastern Oklahoma.
The date for the 2017 Red Ribbon Gala has been set for March 4 at the Cox Business Center, with Raj Basu and Rebekah Tennis as co-chairs.
For more information about Tulsa CARES, visit tulsacares.org. To view videos, committee members, patrons list, and more from this year’s Red Ribbon Gala, visit redribbongala.org.
