Resident to host virtual telethon event for Center of Family Love

OKARCHE, Okla. – The Center of Family Love (CFL), a residential and vocational nonprofit for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, is taking their 7th annual Gift of Love Gala online with a new virtual live stream telethon event. CFL resident, Patti C., will be making history as the first intellectually disabled individual to co-host an event of such magnitude for the organization. She will share the spotlight with Malcolm Tubbs, OKC Thunder emcee, Fox 25 news feature reporter and OU football on-field host. 

“While we are heartbroken that we are unable to celebrate our residents and supporters with a physical gala, we are thrilled to provide an online platform for our residents to shine and show the world who they truly are,” said CFL President and CEO Debbie Espinosa.

Patti C. has expressed her excitement for the opportunity to share her gifts with the world as she conducts red carpet interviews, introduces Frank Sinatra inspired entertainment by the Wade Tower Band, special guest appearances, live auction items, and a cover of a popular TikTok video by her friends at the center. 

“I feel pretty proud to be the host,” said Patti C. “This is a good place to live. I have fun here, and I get to do things here that I didn’t get to do at my home. I like my friends, and I know God put me at the center because he wants me to help others.”

In order to participate in the event, all guests must complete the free online, phone or text registration and can do so by visiting www.centeroffamilylove.org/online, by calling (405) 263-4658, Ext. 1042, or by texting CFL2020 to 243725. All registered guests will automatically receive a chance to win a Big Green Egg Grill, deep freezer and a locally harvested quarter side of beef in a live drawing during the event.

The live stream will allow registered guests to watch the event unfold from the comfort of their own homes from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The theme of the event connects the 1920s through to the 2020s with a classic telethon that falls right in between, so in addition to online bidding, registered guests may bid over the phone. Additionally, registered guests will receive a list of ingredients for a brand new take on a timeless old-fashioned cocktail along with the opportunity to log on for a 15 minute streamed “VIP cocktail hour” preceding the event where they will be joined by Republic National Distributing Company’s professional mixologist who will share the secrets of the new take on this classic cocktail that has been hand-crafted exclusively for this event.  

“Our primary concern has always been the health and well-being of the incredible individuals we serve, and the impact of this pandemic is something we cannot ignore,” said Espinosa. “We are so blessed to be able to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by moving our event online, but we still need the kind of support we’ve received at our million-dollar Gift of Love Gala in the past to help us meet our yearly operational deficit of $1.7 million. Patti and all of her friends at the center truly need your support now more than ever before.” 

This event is made possible by sponsors like Nortek Air Solutions, the Ovid E. Fowlkes & Leona G. Fowlkes Foundation, the Knights of Columbus and Mike and Judy Johnson. More sponsorship opportunities are available and offer limitless exposure.