Hanging’ Tough
Red Tie Night will offer chance to bid on a meet and greet with the New Kids On The Block and raise funds for AIDS research.
The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund is hosting the 25th anniversary of its annual fundraising gala, Red Tie Night, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on March 4 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Molly Ross and Sean Olmstead are this year’s co-chairs. According to a news release, the event is honoring OACF’s founder, Barbara Cooper, for her leadership, stewardship, and commitment to helping those affected by HIV/ AIDS in Oklahoma.
The following information about Barbara Cooper was provided by the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund:
Barbara Cooper is a pioneer for HIV/AIDS support. After her son passed away, she and her late husband, Jackie Cooper, made it their lives’ 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. By establishing and growing Red Tie Night into one of OKC’s largest single evening event fundraisers, the Coopers have helped to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease, brought other families dealing with loss and grief together, and raised more than $14 million dedicated specifically for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and services.
“There is very little funding available for HIV/ AIDS”, said Cher Golding, Executive Director of the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, in a news release. “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.”
At the Red Tie Night auction, guests will have the chance to bid on a Mini Cooper; a meet and greet opportunity with New Kids on the Block; attendance at the UEFA Champions League Soccer Finals in Wales; VIP attendance at a Formula 1 race; artby Hunt Slonem and more. Entertainment at the event will include Dave & The Wavetones. Paul Folger and Jessica Schambach will serve as emcees.
Major sponsors include the Inasmuch Foundation, the Chickasaw Nation, Jackie Cooper Enterprises, Gary and Sharon Roth, Josh Brim, IBC Bank, and WSB Resources.
To purchase a table or tickets to Red Tie Night, call 348-6600 or go online to www.redtienight.com. Table sponsorships are $10,000 to $4,000, and individual tickets are $350.
The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund also was recently awarded an Elton John AIDS Foundation grant in support of our new Advocacy Program. According to a news release, this grant will allow the groupto advocate for increased access to care and improved health outcomes for people living with HIV/ AIDS in Oklahoma.