Elvis fans plan party to raise funds for cats

April Choi Comments 0
Published: June 5, 2009

OKEMAH — Elvis Presley rose from rags to riches, but he never forgot his roots, fans say.

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Elvis Presley Fan Club of Oklahoma fundraiser
→Where: Brickstreet Cafe, 104 S Second, Okemah.

→When: Saturday, with auction from 7 to 9 p.m. and dance from 7 to 10 p.m.

→Tickets: $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 15. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Tickets can be bought online at www.myspace.com/elvisfanclubofoklahoma or by calling (918) 623-1814.

People inspired by Elvis’ good deeds have banded together to raise money for causes. Among those doing so are members of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Oklahoma, which holds an annual fundraiser.

"Elvis was not only a good entertainer, he was a good human being,” said Charle Reeves, fan club president. "To keep his memory alive, it’s important to us to continue his good works.”

This year’s beneficiary will be Street Cats of Tulsa, a nonprofit organization that helps cats that have been abandoned or lost and finds new homes for them. The fan club previously has raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Pets and People Humane Society and a regional food bank, among others.

"Whenever Elvis was out anywhere and he heard about anyone in need, he would help them,” Reeves said.

The club will hold a silent auction and dance Saturday at Brickstreet Cafe, 104 S Second. The auction will run from 7 to 9 p.m., and the dance from 7 to 10 p.m. will feature Ronnie Kaye of KOMA-FM 92.5.

It’s been 40 years since Elvis made a triumphant return to the live stage after his Hollywood movie years. To commemorate that event, the club decided on the theme "Elvis in Vegas.” Elvis played twice a year in Vegas from 1969-76. Those shows were always sold out.

The Brickstreet Cafe is being decked out in Vegas-themed decorations including replicas of the special menu the Hilton hotel would have for Elvis’ visits to Vegas, Reeves said.

One of the auction’s highlights is an original portrait of Elvis done for the auction by Joe Petruccio, Graceland’s official artist. He has worked for various celebrities including the Frank Sinatra family, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Springsteen. Petruccio’s Web site biography states that "many say you can actually feel the presence of Elvis in his images.”

Other officially licensed Elvis Presley items up for auction include shirts, Elvis figurines, posters, Christmas items and replicas of jewelry Elvis wore. Elvis’ jeweler donated to the auction a TCB replica necklace made from the same mold as Elvis’ necklace.

Representatives from the shelter will attend the event. They are in need of items such as cat litter, paper towels, canned cat food, detergent, printing paper and tall trash bags. Donations will be accepted at the event.