Highlight of the evening at Red Tie Night, a benefit for the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, was a new auction item called a football toss. Tossers included Billy Sims, Jason White, Sam Bradford and half the starting lineup of the University of Oklahoma football team. A bidder could say who he wanted to throw him (or her) the football, which stayed with the bidder. Yes, tossing the football clear across the ballroom.
The first bidder – at $5,000 – was Teresa Rose, who asked Sarah Turpen to join her. Rather than catch a football, they settled for not one but two kisses, one from Bradford and one from DeMarco Murray. Another bidder offered $2,500 and had the ball actually tossed to him. Then the bid went to $1,000 (three women and four men made the bids) and footballs were flying all over the room. Two of the women caught their bid balls and several of the men caught them. Great fun.
Bradford’s jersey, properly framed, was auctioned off for $8,500 and a football signed by 22 Heisman Trophy winners went for a bid of $10,000. Working the crowd for the bid were three of Oklahoma’s Heisman winners – Sims, White and Bradford – assisted by former OU and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer. Carefully protecting the glass case holding the ball were youngsters Matthew Turpen and Hayden Spriggs, both in black suits and red ties. OU’s fourth Heisman winner, Steve Owens, was unable to attend.
A fantasy football clinic for 10 kids, offered by Adrian Peterson, former OU star, was bid out at $20,000. A cocktail party for 20 guests at the Metro Restaurant was donated to the auction by New England Patriots star Wes Welker and music star Graham Colton (both Heritage Hall grads) and it went for $30,000. Then Colton announced he’d come to someone’s home and do an acoustic number for $10,000 and then offered a second one, making $50,000 the amount the two raised for OACF. Golly.
About 800 guests attended the annual black-tie gala at the Cox Convention Center. The evening netted $750,000, which will be given in grants to 20 Oklahoma agencies to provide treatment, education and other support for people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Sheryl Colton was Red Tie Night chairman and Kyle Hill was vice chair and will serve as chairman next year. The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund was established by Barbara and Jackie Cooper. Their son, Jon, was in town from New York for the party.
Celebrate women
Meg Salyer and Marnie Taylor are co-chairing an International Celebration of Women Luncheon March 24, with proceeds benefiting World Neighbors. The luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel and free valet parking will be provided by Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City. Men, women and children will model clothing from nations supported by World Neighbors and a shopping venue will be provided.
Dr. Susan Chambers will receive the prestigious Namaste’ Award, recognizing her passion to transform the lives of women in developing countries.
