People & Places: Painted Pony Ball raises $1.5M for Children's Hospital at St. Francis
BY DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer
Sunday, December 02, 2012
12/02/12 at 4:09 AM
It's not only the revelers at the Painted Pony Ball who want the evening to go on and on.
Even the entertainers want to keep playing.
"They are always caught up in the event," said Mike Barkley, who with his wife, Cathey, was co-chair of the most recent ball held at the Tulsa Convention Center.
This time, the entertainer was Tulsa native Ronnie Dunn, who had the audience on its feet. Dunn, the American country music singer-songwriter, is know for being half of the duo of Brooks & Dunn. Now a solo artist, he reached the Top 10 with his single "Bleed Red" on his self-titled album released in 2011.
Dunn and Barkley renewed a friendship that began when the attorney reviewed a record label contract for Dunn "probably 30 years ago."
Barkley noted that the Painted Pony Ball 2012 raised "well in excess of $1.5 million for the Children's Hospital at St. Francis. Tulsans have big hearts that go out to sick little kids," he said, adding that the event is always a sellout. He is chairman of the board of The Children's Hospital Foundation at St. Francis.
This edition drew some 1,000 people, who turned out to celebrate the classic Old West. Hosts and hostesses in authentic 1940s Western wear greeted guests as they entered the large ballroom that was transformed into a Western panorama with a specially designed 18-foot bar with mirrors above it.
Arin Zinke Robinson got kudos for her design of a desert look carried out with succulent centerpieces and large cactuses around the room. The tablecloths were the color of desert sand, and Signatures Flowers and Gifts created the floral design.
The Barkleys presented honorary chairwoman Suzanne Warren with roses and recognized Jake Henry Jr. for his leadership and vision in building the Children's Hospital at St. Francis.
Special thanks went to top patrons including Blankenship Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, the Mary K. Chapman Foundation, Manhattan Construction, St. Francis Health System, the William K. Warren Foundation, Henry Zarrow Fund/Tulsa Community Foundation, Cathey and Mike Barkley, F&M Bank & Trust, American Bank & Trust, Williams Foundation/Don and Erin Chappel, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, and Lynn and Hisashi Nikaidoh.
Bill Warren Jr. helped the live auction along by describing the popular Derby package that he called "a once in a lifetime experience."
Other auction items included Oklahoma Wine Package, Fleming's Dinner, Precious Jewels by Bruce G. Weber, Napa Valley wine country, catered Rib Crib dinner for 50, Le Cordon Bleu Paris culinary experience, Rick Siegfried gold cuff, Super Bowl tickets, New York Saks shopping experience, Cal-A-Vie spa package, Charleston's Super Bowl party, Four Seasons package, and New York City Michelangelo Hotel/Broadway show package.
The Painted Pony Ball has been named "the best fundraising event in Tulsa" and raises one of the highest totals each year.
Board members include honorary chairman Henry Zarrow; chairman Michael Barkley; Al Bush; Julie Blankenship; Bret Chandler; Donald Chappel; Rob Coretz; Jere D. Cravens; Jeanette Kern; L. Tucker Link; Dawn Mayberry; DeDe Siegfried; Dana Warren Hipp; Suzanne Warren and Grant Hinch, who was instrumental in securing Dunn as entertainer.
Painted Pony Ball committee members were Bret and Rocci Chandler, Grant and Robin Hinch, Jeanette Kern, Ed Mascarin, Julie Blankenship, Arin Zinke Robinson, and Danny Christner.
Original Print Headline: Painted Pony Ball raises $1.5M
Associated Images:
Jake and Kathy Henry (left) and Cathey and Michael Barkley helped make this year's Painted Pony Ball a success. Courtesy
William K. Warren Jr., Suzanne Warren, Henry Zarrow, Kathy Henry and Jake Henry Jr. attend this year's Painted Pony Ball, which benefits the Children's Hospital at Saint Francis. Courtesy
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