Tulsa CARES

The 15th annual Red Ribbon Gala benefitting Tulsa CARES, the longest-running HIV/AIDS social service agency in Oklahoma, will be March 10, 2012 at Tulsa Hills Country Club.

The 15th annual Red Ribbon Gala will be held Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Southern Hills Country Club to benefit Tulsa CARES, a local 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. This is the only organization of its kind in northeast Oklahoma and has the longest history of any HIV and AIDS social service agency in the state of Oklahoma. Tulsa CARES is well known for its success in giving the most ­comprehensive and ­compassionate care to our ­neighbors with HIV or AIDS.

Tulsan Charles Faudree, a world-renowned interior designer, was one of the catalysts for the founding of Tulsa CARES 20 years ago. It is with great pride that Mr. Faudree will be honored at the 15th annual Red Ribbon Gala for his exemplary dedication to Tulsa CARES and other community organizations. In addition to his design and retail work, Charles has been associated with giving back to our community for decades through his active involvement with many groups. He is founder of the Hope Candlelight Home Tour, a board member of Tulsa CARES, past member of RAIN and St. Joseph Hospice, and is an active supporter of the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.

The evening of the Red Ribbon Gala will be packed with many of Charles’s friends, including film and television star Leslie Jordan. Leslie is the 2006 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal as Beverly Leslie on “Will and Grace.” Television audiences will also remember him for his ­recurring roles on “Privileged,” “Ugly Betty,” “Boston Legal” and “Reba.” In addition, he appeared in the 2011 movie hit “The Help.”

Each year, the Red Ribbon Gala signature fundraiser helps raise vital funding for Tulsa CARES, allowing them to ­provide basic social services including housing, clothing, food, mental health counseling, and medication assistance to hundreds of low-income ­individuals and families living with HIV or AIDS in the Tulsa ­community.  Proceeds from last year’s event assisted more than 500 men, women and children.

According to Director of Development Seana Murray, “Since opening our doors 20 years ago, Tulsa CARES has welcomed hundreds of family members into the competent, caring arms of our staff. Staff members have helped with ­feeding, clothing, housing, ­connecting with medical care and prescriptions, transporting, and counseling.” As families and individuals have dealt with the devastation of living in poverty with a horrible disease, Tulsa CARES has been there for them, to hold them close when they needed help and a friend, and to hold their hands as they left this world. “Our staff is just ­remarkable,” said Seana. “They are so dedicated to doing their work of helping others. Each of them considers it a ­privilege to provide care for those whom Tulsa CARES has been ­entrusted to serve.”

Tulsa CARES is committed to staying the course until an end can be put to the ravages of this disease. Their hope is that you will join them in the battle against HIV and AIDS in the Tulsa community. For ­reservation information for the Red Ribbon Gala, or if you have questions about the special evening, please visit the website,  www.tulsacares.org, or contact Seana Murray at (918) 834-4194 or by email at eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.

 

For more information, contact

Tulsa CARES

(918) 834-4194

www.tulsacares.org

eat0@eau0eav0eaw0