A truly Supercalifragilidticexpialidocious Toyland Ball was held on January 15, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This was the 21st year for the fabulous event and a record breaking amount was raised for The Parent Child Center of Tulsa. Honorary chairs, Donna and Paul Witt along with event chair, Jennifer Legler, and Parent Child Center executive director, Desiree Doherty welcomed the crowd of over 350 guests. Jamie McGriff of KOTV Channel 6 was the emcee for the evening. Chances were sold for a gift certificate donated by Moody’s at the very popular “Moody’s and Martinis” bar. Guests also had an opportunity to buy a chance to win a spectacular Penny Preville necklace donated by Bruce G. Weber.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2011 Guardian Angel Award to Jim and Kristin Bender. The Guardian Angel Award honored the Benders for their commitment, enthusiasm, leadership and generosity to The Parent Child Center and celebrated the difference they have made in the lives of so many children served by the agency.
Additional highlights included a fabulous live auction conducted by auctioneer extraordinaire, Jay Litchfield with a variety of packages including a Saks Fashion fix, dinners at some of Tulsa’s finest restaurants including the Polo Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Biga, The Wild Fork, Tulsa Country Club, and Doc’s Wine & Food, and trips to Cabo, Eagle Vail, and London. The Tulsa Fire Department, TulsaKids Magazine, Purple Glaze, and the OK City Thunder also supported the Toyland Ball with auction packages. The centerpiece of the live auction was the auction of a sensational five-course dinner for twenty, hosted by Bryan Close, to be prepared by local celebrity chef Michael Fusco and as an extra bonus vintner Steve Ledson from Sonoma will be there to showcase his award winning wines.
During a special “Nurture A Child” portion of the auction gala attendees raised their paddles high and far exceeded a challenge grant from Tom Pearson to raise extra dollars to support the vital programs of the Parent Child Center of Tulsa.
The “practically perfect” evening continued with dancing to the music of Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screamin’ Radishes.
Special thanks to our generous Patrons:
George Kaiser Family Foundation and the H.A. & Mary Kay Chapman Family Foundation.
Diamond Patrons: The Donna Dantini Witt Foundation and The Williams Companies. Platinum Patrons: Alliance Resource Partners, Steve and Lisa Antry/Eagle Energy Company of Oklahoma, Bank of Oklahoma, Hall Estill, Lynn and Barbara Owens, Jess L. and Miriam B. Stevens Foundation, Tulco, and Mollie Williford. Gold Patrons: Don and Pat Hardin and Jim and Kristin Bender. Silver Patrons: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Stan and Irene Burnstein Foundation, Bryan Close in honor of Jim and Kristin Bender, Conner and Winters, QuikTrip, Ruth and Al Sowards of the Sisk Charitable Trust and Unit Corporation. Bronze Patrons: Chapman Foundation, Crowe and Dunlevy, Helmerich and Payne, Hyatt Regency, Magellan Midstream Partners L.P., MidFirst Bank, New Dominion, LLC, Oxley Foundation and U.S. Cellular.
Copper Patrons: Arvest Bank, CFR, Citizens Security Bank, Commerce Bank, The F & M Bank and Trust Company, Gable Gotwals, HoganTaylor, International Chemical Company, Chuck and Leigh Lamson, ONEOK, Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis, P.C., Saint Francis Health System and The University of Tulsa. Individual Patrons: Lex and Melanie Anderson, Bob and Laurie Berman, Fell Oil and Gas LLP, Dr. Ed and Cynthia Gustavson, JoAnne Leikam, Ram Energy Resources, Inc., Bruce and Stephanie Riddle, Summit Bank and Ken Ray and Patty Underwood.
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