The Center of Family Love (CFL) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary by raising over $860,000 during the organization’s Gift of Love Virtual Celebration.

The event, held June 19, was the eighth in CFL’s history. This one stood apart from previous events due to the recognition of several noteworthy milestones, including being the organization’s second virtual event due to COVID-19.

Donors from all over Oklahoma and throughout the U.S. participated at an unprecedented level during the event in support of the residents of CFL.

Tanner, 25 years old, one of CFL’s newest residents, a survivor of a traumatic brain injury and multiple cancer diagnoses, served as the event’s first-ever resident host and emcee.

After enduring a year unlike any other, CFL hosted its biggest fundraising event.

“Our financial reality is shocking. Each year we must raise over $1 million to meet the needs of our residents,” said Debbie Espinosa, CEO of CFL.

“The level of generosity demonstrated by our friends and supporters here in Oklahoma and across this country is simply overwhelming. We’ve been blessed to receive meaningful contributions during this annual event that allow us to continue to provide the critical services needed for our 130 beautiful residents with intellectual disabilities, but we never could have anticipated receiving this level of support with an online platform on the heels of a global pandemic.”

The organization used the occasion to mark its 40th anniversary of serving Oklahomans with intellectual disabilities and held a birthday celebration for all of its residents, inspired by Pauline, CFL’s first resident in 1981, who is now 40 years beyond her predicted life expectancy.

Additional highlights of the Gift of Love Virtual Cel ebration included a resident production of “Lion Sleeps Tonight” and a resident ballet performance in partnership with the acclaimed Oklahoma City Ballet.

CFL also presented its highest honors on two community leaders with Richard “RJ” Schulte of Edmond receiving the Harold J. Wittrock Humanitarian Award and Jeanne Sullivan of Tulsa receiving the Carol and Bill Brown Community Ambassador Award.

The event’s hottest items were tickets to CFL’s exclusive Grand Dinner where residents partner with Oklahoma City restaurants such as Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Jamil’s Steakhouse, LaBaguette Bistro, Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, Petroleum Club OKC, Premium Brands Wines & Spirits, The Hamilton, Thirst Wine Merchants and Vast/Western Concepts to create an unforgettable dining experience for 100 guests.

All produce used during this multi-course dinner is grown by CFL residents.

“We all really love growing food ourselves for the Grand Dinner and for our amazing Grand Dinner heroes who will cook with it,” said Tanner.

Capping off the event was an announcement by CFL that it would be undertaking the largest and most ambitious phase of growth in its history with a capital campaign to raise funds for the Newfield Community Education Center.

“The new facility, designed from the imaginations of residents, will provide a space for them to grow and make their dreams come true,” Espinosa said.

“So, we are asking for a new building where we can have the room to spread our wings and the freedom to experience life and discover who we are. A building that’s made just for us,” said Tanner. “We would love to have technology to help us communicate our needs and a stage where we can entertain you and an art studio where we can express ourselves. We want a pool where we can strengthen our bodies and a kitchen where we can learn to cook with the produce we grow. We are artists, chefs, dancers, singers and growers, but we need room and extra support to discover who God designed us to be. This new building will make all of these discoveries possible for us.”

Among the key contributors helping CFL to achieve this fundraising record included Kurt and Brooke Bollenbach, Ron and Nancy Carel, Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Rosary Council #1287, Ovintiv, Republic National Distributing Company and former Rep. Mike Sanders.