People & Places: Red Cross Rescue Gala set for March 14
BY DANNA SUE WALKER People & Places
Sunday, February 24, 2013
2/24/13 at 4:52 AM
Two companies and two individuals will be honored when the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross holds its 2013 Red Cross Rescue Gala on March 14 at the Tulsa Convention Center.
Proceeds from the "It Starts with a Spark" event will benefit the Red Cross general operations in the Tulsa region and will feature "walls of fire," fire engines old and new, and multimedia vignettes.
The Roxana and Robert E. Lorton Jr. Family and Tulsa World employees will be honored with the "Tulsa Spirit" award.
"We've seen how the Lorton Family's generosity - and that of the Tulsa World employees - reaches throughout our community from the Neediest Families program with Salvation Army to the Tulsa Area United Way, from the Nature Conservancy to the Oklahoma Heritage Association," said Regina Moon, CEO of the Tulsa Region Red Cross. "The Tulsa World newspaper and employees spurred a culture of participation as founding sponsor of the Route 66 Marathon, Tulsa Run and Free Wheel bicycle tour, and deepened a sense of community through its support of Mayfest and the Fourth of July celebrations.
"In addition, the Lorton family's generosity has involved their chairmanship of several capital campaigns for the University of Tulsa which have provided the university and its community with the Reynolds Center and The Lorton Performance Center," Moon added.
The Red Cross also will recognize ONEOK with the "Corporate Responsibility" award.
ONEOK has a long-standing commitment of investing in the communities where its employees live and work, according to the Red Cross. Since the ONEOK Foundation was founded, the company has awarded more than $45 million in grants and pledges to nonprofit organizations, and in 2012 it contributed more than $3 million in corporate contributions to community service agencies.
The company's "Share the Warmth" program, which helps families in financial crisis pay their home heating costs, has generated more than $8 million through employee and customer contributions, and ONEOK's 15 percent company match.
ONEOK also is a longtime supporter of the United Way and contributes to the community through its Volunteers with Energy program, which encourages ONEOK employees, retirees and their family members to volunteer in their local communities.
Captain John Stapleton and Larry Jackson of the Tulsa Fire Department will receive the "Save a Life" award. The pair battled thick smoke and flames to rescue a woman who had collapsed on the floor of her burning apartment.
Their selfless and courageous actions on that early morning are emblematic of the dedication and commitment shown by all Tulsa firefighters who go about their daily, dangerous work of protecting the community.
"Heroes come in all forms but share the same goal of service to others and strengthening our communities," Moon said. "We are delighted and honored to recognize these individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions."
Fires are the most common disaster response for the American Red Cross. Last year, the Tulsa Region Chapter was activated for more than 730 home fires and provided more than $400,000 in financial assistance for safe shelter, food, clothing and vital medications. Proceeds from the Red Cross Rescue Gala will be used to support Red Cross general operations in the Tulsa Region.
Guests at the Red Cross Rescue Gala will enjoy cocktails, raffle, dinner, a wine pull, interactive "Diamond Dig" and live auction along with the awards program.
Items on the auction block will include a trip to Maui, with a stay at the luxurious Kapalua Villas on Maui, excursion packages and parking at Fine Airport Parking.
Bruce G. Weber and the Hale Family Foundation are offering an exquisite Roberto Coin eyeglass necklace in 18-karat white gold with 21 bezel-set diamonds valued at more than $14,000.
A Taylor Swift concert package includes four tickets to the sold-out Aug. 7 concert at Tulsa's BOK Center, an autographed red Fender guitar, accommodations at the downtown Hyatt Regency and a mini getaway at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
The winner of the "Divine Dining from Chef Devin" auction package will enjoy a dinner for up to 16 people prepared in the patron's home by chef Devin Levine, with flowers by Toni's, dinnerware from Party Pro Rents and an exquisite crystal decanter from Miss Jackson's.
An OSU sports package includes use of a ONEOK private luxury suite with seating for 26, plus food and beverage allowance, for the Nov. 9 OSU home game against Kansas.
Among the many other exciting packages are an Oklahoma City Thunder package and trips to Napa Valley and Cabo San Lucas.
The "Israel Diamond Supply Diamond Dig" will give patrons the chance to "dig" for precious stones, including a diamond.
Jackie and Bob Poe are patron co-chairs. Event chairs are Elaine and Phillips Breckinridge.
Humanitarian sponsors are Chapman Foundations Management LLC, Hale Family Foundation, Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, ONEOK, Robert E. Thomas Trust, Tulsa World, The University of Tulsa and Unit Corporation.
Lifesaving sponsors are Asphalt & Fuel Supply LLC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
First Responder sponsors are Joseph W. Craft III, Hilti, United States Beef Corporation and Williams.
Readiness sponsors include Arvest Bank, Pat and Keith Bailey, BancFirst, Bank of America, Bank of Oklahoma, Pat and Mike Case, Cyclonic Valve Company Inc., Explorer Pipeline, Gelvin Foundation, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Harsco Industrial Air-X-Changers, Helmerich & Payne Inc., LL Pressure Equipment Fabrication LLC, Ann and Jim McKellar, MidFirst Bank, MPW Engineering, Panther Energy Company Inc., Paragon Films Inc., Jackie and Bob Poe, Pray Walker LLC, Martha Probes, Superior Linen Service, Tri-State Industrial Group, and Mollie Williford.
First Aid sponsors are Barrow & Grimm PC, Beacon Commercial Group LTD, Capital Advisors, Conner & Winters LLP, ESPO Fire & Water Restoration, Fulton and Suzie Collins Foundation, Hall Estill, Jackie Cooper Imports, KingsPointe Village, Hayden Kiser, Gwen and Steve Malcolm, Moran Family Foundation, Ruth K. Nelson and Tom Murphy, Julie and John Nickel, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Summit Bank.
Special consideration is provided by Judy and Jeff Davis.
Red Cross Rescue Gala committee members are Kate Clark, Becca and Eric Clower, Patty and Tim Colwell, Tammie and Brian Diven, Britt Doss, Catherine Drummond, Deborah and John Hale, Sheila and Ted Haynes, Gretchen Heinberg, Cheryl and Jim Humphrey, Carrie and J.B. Jarboe, Lindsey Jensen, Nyana and Steven Lloyd, Barbara and David Merrill, Amanda and Jeremy Moore, Lucia and John O'Connor, Liz and Ed Paitsel, Joan and Jerry Parkhurst, Talmadge Powell, Heather Richetto-Rumley, Cissy Smith, Elizabeth and Scott Stidham, Carol and Doug Waldman, Sidney and Scott Webb, Paul Woodul, Jennifer Wyckoff, and Kaysha and Derek Yates.
Heather Richetto-Rumley will be the emcee, and Rick Miller will lead the auction.
For more information about the gala, contact Devone Chezem at 918-831-1207.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood, teaches skills that save lives, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit tulsaworld.com/redcrosstulsa
Original Print Headline: Red Cross Rescue Gala set for March 14
Associated Images:
Red Cross Rescue Gala event chairs Phillips and Elaine Breckinridge, along with Eastern Oklahoma Red Cross Board Chair Travis Campbell, prepare for the 2013 Red Cross Rescue Gala. Courtesy
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