Millions for AIDS

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Feb 13, 2003 by Joan Gilmore

Red Tie Night, a benefit sponsored by and benefiting the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, is considered the premier fund-raiser for a single charity in the state of Oklahoma.

This year's formal party, to which men are asked to wear black or red tie, will take place March 1 in the Cox Business Services Center. The festive evening will begin with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8:15 p.m. and the live auction.

The evening will conclude with dancing to music by the Chordettes Orchestsa, making its first appearance in Oklahoma City. The group features an exciting audio-visual show with dancers in sequined gowns and a big band that plays all styles of music.

Always the highlight of the evening, the auction will offer a 1974 Rolls-Royce, made even more valuable with its one-owner status and amazingly low 21,000 miles. On the contemporary side, a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL 55 also will be up for bid.

Other auction packages will feature a private suite and 16 tickets for the Ford Center concert featuring Elton John and Billy Joel on March 2, accompanied by a pass for four people to meet Elton John in person. "Platinum Suite" is provided by Bill Mathis for 12 people at the American Airlines Center in Dallas for a Mavericks basketball game or Stars hockey game, plus limousine service and hotel accommodations.

Noted for its unique auction items since its premiere in 1992, Red Tie Night provides financial resources in Oklahoma for individuals and groups that pursue education, research and service to fight HIV/ AIDS throughout the state. Barbara Cooper and her husband, Jackie, founded Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund in 1991 after their son died of AIDS.

To date, Red Tie Nights have raised $3.77 million in contributions and netted $2.75 million. The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund has made grants of $2.5 million.

Individual reservations are $200 per person. Patron level reservations are priced at $300 each. Corporate Sponsorships are $1,500 for four seats, Benefactor at $3,000 offers six seats and Underwriter reservations are $5,000 for eight seats. Also available is the Guarantor category at $10,000 for 10 seats. Checks payable to Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund may be mailed to P.O. Box 134, Edmond, 73083- 0134. For additional information, call 755-7805.

Co-chairs of Red Tie Night 2003 are Stacey Ford-Gardner and Rick Moses.

Wild world of Rio

Colorful macaws, flaming torches, Carmen Miranda look-alikes and steel drum music. This all added up to an exotic evening for Carnaval de Rio, otherwise known as Heart Ball 2003.

Kim and David Rainbolt were chairs of the festive evening at which 21 young high school students were recognized as Sweethearts and were escorted by their fathers through the ballroom.

The live auction featured, in keeping with the party's Brazilian motif, a trip to Rio de Janeiro and its famous Copacabana Palace, a five-star hotel that opened in 1923. The trip, arranged by Prime Time Travel, also included airfare and other amenities. Another special item was the 3002 Volvo XC90, Volvo's first-ever SUV. Bob Howard, in conjunction with Volvo Car Corp., arranged to bring this vehicle to the Heart Ball.

Bidding was heated for the "Dinner of Champions" which offered a private dinner for six at the Coach House with champion coaches Mike Stoops, Barry Switzer and Steve Nunno and their wives, Nichole Stoops, Becky Switzer and Laurie Nunno. Joining them in arranging this exciting event were the Coach House and Ron and Debbie Sutor.

The gala grossed some $374,000.

From the notebook

Oklahoma City's 20th annual Metro Prayer Breakfast is scheduled at 6:30 a.m. April 2 at the Cox Convention Center, sponsored by Connecting Business Men to Christ, or CBMC, and Mayor Kirk Humphreys. The guest speaker will be William F. "Fritz" Klumpp, retired Navy and Delta Airlines pilot and executive director of CBMC in the United States. Tickets are $15 per person with corporate tables of eight available for $1,000, $500 and $200. For information, call 749-9418.

"Business in Black" is the theme of Oklahoma City Ad Club's annual Addy Awards dinner on Saturday at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Cocktails will be at 6 (cash bar) and dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction is planned. Proceeds will go the club's scholarship fund. Tickets are $65 per person with corporate tables for eight guests available for $500, $750 or $1,000. Call Scott Munz at 948-6700.

Loved the picture in a past issue of Nichols Hills News describing the Junior League's new Thrift Shop on May Avenue. In the picture taken at the shop, Beth Wells was modeling a satin evening gown that brought back memories. This pink and white, ermine-hemmed dress is either the dress or an identical dress to one Mary Margaret Cashman wore for a photograph when she was named a Best-Dressed Woman back in the 1960s. At the time, I thought it was one of the most elegant gowns I'd ever seen. It still looks pretty elegant. At least in the photo. I understand Beth wears it to costume parties when she goes as a fairy princess.