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July 30, 2020OKARCHE – The Center of Family Love, a residential and vocational nonprofit for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, raised more than $500,000 on June 20 with a new Live Stream Telethon event. The virtual event replaced the organization’s 7 th annual Gift of Love Gala.
CFL resident, Patti C., made history as the first intellectually disabled individual to co-host the event. Patti worked alongside Malcom Tubbs, the emcee for the Oklahoma City Thunder and a reporter for KOKH-Fox 25.
“I feel pretty proud to have hosted,” Patti C. said. “I know God put me at the center because he wants me to help others. Some of my friends can’t speak, and I get to speak for them. As a host, I got to tell everyone that my friends just want to be treated like somebody. This is a good place to live because they treat everyone with respect.”
Patti and Tubbs worked together to introduce special guest appearances, Frank Sinatra-inspired entertainment by the Wade Tower Band, a variety of silent auction, chance and pull items, and a cover of a popular TikTok video by her friends at the center.
The live-stream allowed registered guests to watch the event from home. One lucky guest won a Big Green Egg Grill, deep freezer and a locally harvested quarter side of beef in a live drawing during the event just for having registered. Another guest won the $10,000 cash raffle grand prize and many other guests won chance prizes.
In addition, guests were given opportunities throughout the event to make online or telephone donations in support of CFL’s 130 residents.
All proceeds from the event help cover the organization’s yearly operational deficit of $1.7 million. CFL says these donations are especially important this year to cover the residents’ basic needs due to the impact COVID-19 has had on their typical fundraising appeals.
“I think Patti said it best,” said CFL President and CEO Debbie Espinosa, “Many of the incredible individuals we serve simply wouldn’t have the opportunity to live the lives they deserve if the center didn’t exist, which is why support is crucial.”
This event was made possible by sponsors Nortek Air Solutions, the Ovid E. Fowlkes and Leona G. Fowlkes Foundation, the Knights of Columbus and Mike and Judy Johnson.
For nearly 40 years, The Center of Family Love has empowered individuals living with intellectual and physical disabilities to reach for and achieve their dreams. As a leader in the long-term direct-care field, we provide revolutionary residential services and career opportunities for individuals living with disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disabilities, geriatric needs and more. We never charge individuals or their families for the lifetime care they receive in the event they cannot afford it.
