On the Town: OMRF 241 fundraiser raises $850K with groovy concert

Guests who attended the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s annual 241 fundraiser on Sunday afternoon enjoyed a groovy theme and danced to the rock songs of Tommy James and the Shondells on OMRF’s deck overlooking downtown Oklahoma City.

The band opened with “Draggin’ the Line” from 1971 and played their hits from the 1960s and 1970s hits like “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Say I Am (What I Am),” “Crimson and Clover” and “Mony Mony” as guests danced in front of the stage.

As of Sunday, the event had raised a record $850,000 by Sunday, said Sherri Lance, who was sponsorship co-chair with her husband Bill Lance. The 241 event is a two-for-one fundraiser that includes the concert, wine and food festival as well as a golf tournament the next day.

Event underwriters were The Chickasaw Nation and the Tom and Judy Love Foundation, with a long list of 148 sponsors.

Bill Lance referred to OMRF as an “incredible organization that does incredible research for our entire state,” he said.

OMRF started in 1946, with music a part of the organization from the beginning, Weyrich said. To raise money in its early years, OMRF had an orchestra, and a portion of proceeds from every production of the musical “Oklahoma!” has gone to the OMRF for for decades.

This was OMRF’s 11 ^th year to hold the benefit since 2012, raising more than $7.5 million in all, a news release stated. Funds support medical research in Oklahoma, including for recruiting and retaining scientists.

In addition to the Lances, committee members were Dr. Martin Bautista, Bruce Benbrook, Barbara Braught, Paul Cason, Betty Jane and Mike Cawley, Ann-Clore and Walt Duncan, Christy Everest, Beverly and Mark Funke, Ann Felton Gilliland, Virginia Groendyke, Kirk Hammons, Karin Holsted and Meg Salyer.

For information, go to omrf.org/241 .

Art “Inspiring Hope”

Stop by the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center in Oklahoma City this month to see a new juried art exhibit hosted by Friends of the OU Breast Institute.

“Inspiring Hope” is a remarkable show that explores things that inspire us and encourage healing and well-being, especially after being affected by breast cancer, show information states. My artist friend Lauri Gormley painted into her colorful and whimsical piece “The Journey” a lot of personal meaning related to her mother’s breast cancer treatments last year.

“This painting is an expression of many emotions from confusion, change, an uphill battle and encouraging messages on rocks outside the hospital,” she wrote in the acrylic painting description. My mom’s favorite quote is, ‘If nothing ever changed, there would be no such thing as butterflies.”

I also loved learning more about the Friends of the OU Breast Institute during a recent luncheon, thanks to Friends member Heidi Russell. The institute is doing work in our community for breast cancer prevention and awareness and patients of OU Health. This art exhibit is juried by Oklahoma artist Jennifer Cocoma Hustis and a neat one to see in the Paseo District.

For information, go to thepaaok.org

Have an idea, item or event for On the Town? Email lillie.beth@yahoo.com.

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