The Bachelors Club of Oklahoma City celebrated its 79th annual Charity Ball on December 9, 2023, raising an impressive $55,000 for the nonprofit organization Focus on Home. This contribution brings the total amount raised by the club for the Oklahoma City community since tracking donations to more than $1.2 million.
The long-standing tradition of the Charity Ball, which began in 1945, included the presentation of 27 debutantes accompanied by their escorts. This year marked a significant milestone as funds from a separate endowment, established by a group of Bachelors Club alumni in 2008 at the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, were also included in the total raised. Club President Joseph Harroz acknowledged the alumni during the event, highlighting the contributions of founding members Chris Wilson, Taylor Fudge, Eddie Patterson, Nelson Bolen, Bob Ross, and Armando Rosell.
Harroz chose Focus on Home as the beneficiary due to his previous involvement with the organization on its teen board. He presented the cheque to Joli Sanders, CEO and founder of Focus on Home, which assists families transitioning out of homelessness by providing furnishings and setting up new homes. Prior to the ball, the debutantes and escorts volunteered to help the organization by delivering furniture and preparing living spaces for local families.
“What a powerful reminder this is for us about why we are here tonight, that we are fortunate enough to support those in our community who need a little bit of help and that creating a home is about far more than four walls,” Harroz remarked during the event.
In addition to the fundraising efforts, the Bachelors Club honored longtime member and past President Sam Vinall with the Walter M. Powell Outstanding Alumni Award. Vinall, who is the broker and owner of ARC Real Estate and Elevate Property Management, is also recognized for his dedication to various community and civic organizations.
The evening featured music by Souled Out, who entertained guests as they danced under the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club’s magnificent Christmas tree in the Great Hall. Guests also enjoyed a traditional late-night breakfast. The floral design and installation for the event were managed by Big Apple Events, led by Willie Torres. The debutantes and escorts made their entrance under an arch adorned with cascading flowers, including roses in ivory, deep red, and soft blush, along with white hydrangeas and green spider mums.
Founded in 1938, the Bachelors Club of Oklahoma City aims to promote philanthropy and leadership within the community. The debutante presentation was initiated as a fundraising effort for various local charities, reflecting the club’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility.
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