25th Annual Red Tie Night Gala benefiting the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund
The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund is hosting the 25th anniversary of its annual fundraising gala, Red Tie Night on Saturday, March 4, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum from 6:30 p.m. – Midnight. Molly Ross and Sean Olmstead are this year’s co-chairs. The event is honoring OACF’s founder, Barbara Cooper, for her leadership, stewardship, and commitment to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma.
Barbara Cooper is a pioneer for HIV/AIDS support. After her son passed away, she and her late husband, Jackie Cooper, made it their life’s mission to raise awareness and funding to help Oklahomans affected by HIV/AIDS and to prevent new infections. Very little help was available in Oklahoma in the early 90s. The Coopers have served as advocates all these years.
By establishing and growing Red Tie Night into one of OKC’s largest single evening event fundraisers, they’ve helped to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease, brought other families dealing with loss and grief together, and raised over $14 Million dedicated specifically for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and services.
This year the co-chairs are playing with juxtaposition. The gala theme contrasts the traditional classic elements of Red Tie Night with a new modern twist. New Leaf Florists & Mood Party Rentals along with PDC Productions will completely transform the event space by adding new elements that are reminiscent of the decadent event for which Red Tie Night is known.
The Petroleum Club is the exclusive catering company for Red Tie Night and has prepared a menu that will delight attendees. Dave & the Wavetones will provide the dinner entertainment and return after the live auction so guests can dance the night away. KOCO News 5 anchors, Paul Folger and Jessica Schambach will serve as emcees.
Known for luxurious, one-of-a-kind auction items and celebrity appearances, Red Tie Night has done it again! Guests will have the chance to bid on a Mini Cooper, a meet and greet opportunity with New Kids on the Block, attend the UEFA Champions League Soccer Finals in Wales, attend a Formula 1 race like a VIP or own one of the famed Bunny Portraits by NYC artist, Hunt Slonem, whose artwork hangs in the homes of the rich and famous.
“There is very little funding available for HIV/AIDS”, said Cher Golding, Executive Director of the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund. “The need is greater than the available resources. The funding from Red Tie Night, allows the organizations that OACF supports to focus on their mission and direct services for their clients without having to worry about how they will cover program, operational and administrative expenses.
“Red Tie Night and funding for OACF is also still critical because there are 350 new infections identified in Oklahoma each year – that’s almost one per day. Although being diagnosed with HIV is not the death sentence it once was, it’s still a public health crisis as new infections are on the rise. Through OACF’s education and prevention efforts along with a newly formed Advocacy program, we are working with educators, elected officials and health professionals to reduce the rate of new infections.
“We’ve come a long way in the last 25 years and we hope one day to report that there were no new infections, but until then we need events like Red Tie Night and organizations like the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund.”
It takes a small army to execute one of the largest single evening fundraisers. This year’s committee lead by Molly Ross and Sean Olmstead include Mark Beutler, Amanda Bleakley, Dave Blew, Michael Bolan, Melanie Burns, Kristin Homsey Carson, Betsy Colton, Cindy Colton, Graham Colton, Adam Edwards, Justin Edwards, Cher Golding, Coby Greenhaw, Jason Grife, Victor Harris, Brent Hart, Kyle Hayles, Elizabeth Hoehn, Joe Holcomb, Wendy House, Megan Johnson, Kate Kirk, Seth Lewis, Paula Love, Joey Magana, Undrell Malhomes and Kelli Masters.
In addition, Jennifer McCaren, Michi Medley, Lany Milner, Travis Morelock, Whitney Moss, Kindt Myers, Linda Neira, Valery Oswald, Jaime Payne, Heidi Ramdo Centrella, Frederick Redwine, Joe Roberts, Heather Showalter, Nick Solis, Robin Stone, Everette Surratt, Matt Thomas, Stacey Voegeli and Barry Wichert.
Major sponsors include the Inasmuch Foundation, the Chickasaw Nation, Jackie Cooper Enterprises, Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Sharon Roth, Mr. Josh Brim, IBC Bank, and WSB Resources.
To purchase a table or tickets to Red Tie Night please call 405-348-6600 or visit the website at http://www.redtienight.com. Table sponsorships range from $10,000-$4,000 and individual tickets are $350.
The Gayly – February 1, 2017 @ 12:40 p.m.