Sept. 14, 2012
Contact: Brent Ortolani, 918-695-7078
Tulsa Area United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society Gathers for Fall Reception
Members of the Tulsa Area United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society recently gathered at the home of Julie and John Nickel to bid on some extraordinary auction items and help kick off their 2012 campaign.
More than 100 members attended the society’s annual fall reception. John Nickel welcomed guests to the couple’s home, and Howard and Billie Barnett, co-chairs of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, also addressed society members.
“Your commitment is so important to the success of the United Way campaign,” Howard Barnett told guests. “Last year, members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society contributed $4.4 million, representing 17 percent of the total annual campaign.”
Mark Graham, President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way, provided an update on this year’s United Way campaign, which began on Aug. 31, and will conclude on Nov. 8. The goal is $24,900,000. Chet Cadieux, CEO of QuikTrip, is serving as the chairman of this year’s campaign.
Members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society set a record for the amount raised during a live auction. They bid on an impressive collection of auction items during the reception, including private jet service for six provided by Omni Air Transport to and from Chicago during a single evening for dinner and wine at Alinea, which has been called the world’s best restaurant by Elite Traveler magazine.
Guests also bid on an opportunity to attend Fashion Week in New York in February, where the world’s leading fashion designers unveil their fall collections. The trip includes two first-class, round-trip tickets to New York courtesy of American Airlines, reserved seats at the Jason Wu runway show, provided by Aberson’s, accommodations at a leading New York hotel and a private driver.
Eight couples bid on the opportunity to have dinner at the home of Evelyn Hatfield. Her home, designed by architect Pat Fox, has quickly gained stature as one of Tulsa’s most iconic and significant new homes. Wine for the evening will be provided by Clark Bentley of Hundred Acre Winery.
The Hundred Acre Winery also provided two numbered and etched 1.5 liter magnums of Cabernet Sauvignon for the live auction. Each of the magnums received perfect 100 scores by Robert Parker. The magnums were offered in the memory of Anita Graham, the mother of Mark Graham. Mrs. Graham passed away in August.
Three very rare bottles of French wines also were auctioned. The wines date back to the 1960s and were provided by an anonymous collector.
For many years, Tocqueville members have been provided the opportunity to bid on a spectacular array of women’s jewelry. This year it was the men’s turn. Saks Fifth Avenue of Tulsa provided a set of men’s diamonds and 18-karat yellow gold twisted bar cuff links, designed by Valentin Magro. Richard Koenig of Saks presented the cuff links to guests.
Finally, society members had the opportunity to bid on two international round-trip, business-class tickets to anywhere in the world, provided by American Airlines. Jay Litchfield served as auctioneer for the evening.
Among the Alexis de Tocqueville Society members in attendance were Barbara and Nick Allen, Shelly Armstrong, Billie and Howard Barnett, Marla and Steve Bradshaw, Tricia Cadenhead and Steve Broussard, Pat and Arnold Brown, Kristie and William Buergler, Patty and Joe Cappy, Terry Carter, Pat Chernicky, Bryan Close, Kathleen Coan, Sarah Hansel and Mike Cooke, Connie and Jeff Cope, Suzy and Chuck Cotter, Ann and Ben Cowen, Patty and Len Eaton, Judy and Ted Eliot, Andrea and Dan Ellinor, Robyn and Larry Ewing, Jana and Phil Frohlich, Marge and John Gaberino, Cathy and James Gates, Kirsten and Mark Graham, Tammy and Scott Grauer, Donna and Roger Hardesty, Dave Hentschel, Becky and Jim Holloman, Betsy and Gerry Jackson, Cookie and George Kaiser, George Krumme, Leigh and Chuck Lamson, Phil Lauinger, Ellen Mabrey, Gwen and Steve Malcolm, Julie and John Nickel, Sandra and Bob Norman, Cindy and Bob Peterson, Kim and Pat Piper, Betty and Steve Pirnat, Steve Ray, Ruth Libertus and Jeff Sanders, Meredith Siegfried, Milann Siegfried, Jana Shoulders and Bob Soza, Susan and Bill Thomas, Vanessa and Scott Thompson, Sherill and Bob Vaught, Morey Villareal, Janet and Brad Vincent, Rachel Blue and Tom Vincent, Peter Walter.
Guests attending were Alison Anthony, Greg Holt, Richard Koenig, Jay Litchfield, Janet McGehee, and Mary and Mike McGraw.
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society was created locally in 1987 to promote and recognize voluntary community service and personal giving to the Tulsa Area United Way at an exceptional level, Graham said. The name comes from French Aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville who in 1831, visited the U.S. and authored “Democracy in America,” which contains observations of American society and praise for its voluntary spirit.
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