Front Page
Reba benefit raises over half a million dollars
By TMC
Jul 29, 2005

Thanks to the support of multi-talented superstar Reba McEntire, the families of critically ill patients at Texoma Medical Center are sure to benefit for years to come. The tally is in and totals over half a million dollars. The $534,431 of total gifts raised during this year's Reba Memorial Day events will go toward the Reba's Ranch House Endowment, including a dedicated amount given for refurbishment and maintenance.

Reba's Ranch House is a haven where families can find comfort and rest while
their loved ones are being treated at the TMC. The Endowment was established to
ensure on-going support of operating expenses, updates and renovations, and other services and supplies for the people who find comfort within its walls.

The May event included a full day of entertainment, beginning with the annual Reba Charity Golf Classic. This year's tournament brought out a record number of golfers that included celebrities such as country music star Joe Nichols, former Dallas Cowboys VP of Player Personnel, Gil Brandt and former Dallas Cowboy player Billy Joe Dupree, as well as many area golfers that support this event each year. "This year's golf tournament was one of the best we've had yet. The turnout was great and the prizes were better than ever," said David Bayless, Jr., co-chairman of the tournament.

Reba greeted each golfer and thanked them for their support of her projects at TMC.

That evening Reba brought all her energy and talent to the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Oklahoma for her 14th benefit concert to support TMC.

Concertgoers were treated to a high-energy show in which Reba stayed on stage for two hours straight performing a career-spanning array of her hits.

Opening for Reba this year was Joe Nichols whose talented performance
proved why he's a four-time Grammy Award winner. "We are so grateful to Reba, Narvel and the whole Starstuck crew. They have been so good for this area, specifically to TMC. Their return has really ignited a new excitement in Texoma," said Kay Skelton, co-chairman of this year's events.

Each year volunteers that make up the TMC Foundation Development Committee
organize the Reba Memorial Day benefit events. The Committee includes co-chairs Karen Alford and Kay Skelton, Marie Avery, Gail Broyles, Tracey Bullard, Sherry Christie, Rita Cole, Theresa Dickson, Donna Evans, Anne Gary, Jeanie Graber, Dorothy Henslee, Lisa Jane Johnson, Olga Jondahl, Vickie Kaai, Nancy McKinney, Honey Minshew, Jimmie Lee Mobley, Pat Moore, Maurine Ridlehuber, Jamie Roberts, Sandra Truly, Ellen Voelzke, Pat Watson and Beverly Young.

 Members of the 2005 Reba Charity Golf Classic include David Bayless Jr., co-chair; Karen Alford; John T. Audas; Dale Bonner; Jim Bono; John Bullard; Earnest Case; Ronnie Cole; Larry Evans; Butch Goodman; Robert Herriage, co-chair; Tony Kaai; Tom Lankford, D.D.S.; Mike McKinley; Steve Voelzke; and Larry Young.

Texoma Medical Center gratefully acknowledges the major underwriting sponsors for the 2005 event: American Bank of Texas, Dorothy & Lacy Harber, Choctaw Casino & Resort, Clara Blackford & W. Aubrey Smith Foundation, Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation, Pepsi, KXII-TV, and the Herald Democrat.

Since 1987, over $5 Million has been raised for special projects at TMC through the Memorial Day events.

For more information on Reba's Ranch House, visit the Texoma Medical Center
website at http://www.thcs.org/.