Seventh Annual Brainiac Ball Raises $342,000 for Family & Children’s Services
Seventh Annual Brainiac Ball Raises $342,000 for Family & Children’s Services
TULSA, Okla., June 15, 2010 – Five hundred Tulsans, all dressed “smart casual” and “geek chic,” gathered Friday, June 4, for a battle of the minds at Family & Children’s Services Seventh Annual Brainiac Ball. By the end of the evening, these sharp-witted attendees raised $342,000 for the agency through team trivia, live and service auctions, dessert pulls, wine lotteries, Moody’s raffle tickets and more.
“Because of the generosity of our sponsors and in-kind gifts, 93 percent of funds raised will go directly toward life-changing services for the children and families that need help most,” said Gail Lapidus, F&CS chief executive officer.
The evening began with a cocktail reception at Greenwood Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner catered by Qdoba Mexican Grill and a welcome from Brainiac Ball emcee John Hamill. Marcie Corwin, Brainiac Ball event chair, thanked committee members and announced that next year’s Brainiac chairman will be Tina Parkhill.
Steve Pattison, president of the F&CS board of directors, also addressed the audience, “Take a look around your table. Imagine each person sitting with you tonight feels so broken they are thinking about taking their own life. That’s how many suicide calls F&CS receives every day, seven days a week. Every dollar you donate tonight will help F&CS continue to bring hope and healing to those in our community.”
uctioneer Dan Duckwall kicked off the first of three live auction rounds. “Little Picassos” — 12 Christmas-themed chargers painted by the children in the F&CS Child Abuse and Trauma Treatment program — went for $5,000. Other auction items included a trip for four to the U.S. Open and a tour of the Washington Capitol courtesy of USGA and Senator John Sullivan, a “Pint Size Palace” built by Fritz Baily and Oakridge Builders, and two tickets to fly anywhere in the continental U.S. from American Airlines.
The Service Auction raised $18,000 for the Child Abuse and Trauma Treatment program at F&CS.
This year is extra special as it marks our 85th anniversary, and I’m more thankful than ever for the generosity I see each year at Brainiac Ball,” said Lapidus. “Providing services to one in six Tulsans is no easy task, and these contributions help us continue to make Tulsa a better place to live, work and raise families.”
Many guests donned hats ranging from Rolling Stones to think tank themes. Hat contest winners were Bettye and Jim Knight and guests, “Knights of the Round Table.”
Team trivia winners were “The Pioneers” from U.S. Pioneer. Second and third place went to George Kaiser Family Foundation’s “Brainbows” and American Airlines’ “Brainwaves,” respectively.
Cyclonic Valve was the Genius Sponsor for the event. Presenting Sponsors were George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa World and Williams.
Merit Scholar Sponsors included Bette & Mike Graves, Ruth Nelson and Tom Murphy.
Valedictorian Sponsors were American Airlines, Apache Corporation, Bank of America, Erin and Don Chappel, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Fred Dorwart, Lawyers, Ann Graves, Laura and Max Mantooth, Ralph and Frances McGill Foundation and Zarrow Families Foundation.
Salutatorian Sponsors included Arby’sArvest BankBaer Timberlake/OklahomaREO ClosingBancFirstBKD, LLPBryan Close in honor ofBettye and Jim KnightCarey and Mike ColeCommerce BankConner & Winters, LLPGina and Dr. Chris CovingtonHelmerich & Payne, Inc.Jenny and Jono HelmerichHilti, Inc.HoganTaylor LLPBettye and Jim KnightDeb and Robert KrummeMidFirst BankMonica MurrayONEOKQdobaQuikTrip CorporationSaint Francis Health SystemSamsonTAR ResourcesThe Little GymU.S. PioneerWorld Travel.
Head of the Class Sponsors were Doerner, Saunders, Daniel &Anderson, Eldridge Cooper Steichen & Leach, Fritz Baily Architects, Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa, Kivell, Rayment and Francis, KPMG, Oakridge Builders, Inc., Rodolf & Todd and Tulsa Community College.
Teacher’s Pet Sponsors were Explorer PipelineSecurity BankValue Thrift Store.
Sweet surprise, a dessert pull, was headed up by Erin Chappel and Julie Kivisto. The Wall of Wine was chaired by Mary Husband and Carey Cole. The Brainiac Ball live auction was chaired by Tina Parkhill.
The Cyclonic Valve tables, hosted by Sarah, John and Garrett Graves, included guests Pat Buchanan, Katherine and Lynn Frame, Elisa and Chris Heroux, Julie Hunter, Beth Noonan, Brodie Baker, Connie and Matt Bendel, Annie Brown, Madison Hensley, Tamera and Chris Noel, Rachel Province and Matt Roberts.
Sitting at the Qdoba’s “Synapse” table were Randy Allen, Benjamin Allen, John Appelquist, Shawna and Geoff Simpson, Kevin Withes, Sally Pledger and Matt Baxter.
Tulsa World’s table included Mickie and Alan Bingham, Jeanne and Jessie Boudiette, Stacey and Shae Roggendorff, Julie and Eric Schick, Judy and Scott Cherry, Lynn and Wayne Green, Lenzy and Randy Krehbiel, Michael Overall, Ashley Parrish, Kay and Mike Strain, Barbara Allen and Billie Berkenbile.
Among those seated with the Williams group were Susan and Duane Chalmers, Libby and Michael Johnson, Gwen and Steve Malcolm, Stephanie and Tom Atherton, Erin and Don Chappel, Lisa and David Clark, Claire and Richard Grant, Michelle and Derek Reid.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group included Vicki Vaniman and Chris Bendel, Lizzy and Dave Bendel, Mary and Jeff Morrell, Teresa and Kirk Slagle, and Dana and Craig Huston.
At Betty and Jim Knight’s table were Bryan Close, Janet McGehee, Ruth and Al Sowards, and Gabby and Ron Vantuyl.
Seated at Anita and Gary Rathburn’s table were Barbara and Arlo DeKraii, Marilyn and Jerry Matulis, Tom Pearson, and Jacquelyn Spraker.
For more information about the event, please visit www.fcsok.org/brainiacball, or call Marydith Morgan at 918.560.1113.
Updated 06-18-2010
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