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Bartlesville
Posted: Jul 28, 2026 9:36 AMUpdated: Jul 28, 2026 9:38 AM
Big Brothers Big Sisters Emerald Gala
Tom Davis
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma in Bartlesville is preparing for its upcoming fundraising event, The Emerald Gala, set for Saturday, August 8, at 6:00 PM at The Center.
Appearing on Community Connection, Area Director Todd Estes shared details about what attendees can expect at this year's event. "The big thing we're bringing in this year is dueling pianos," Estes said. Entertainment will be provided by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos, featuring performers traveling in from Kansas City and Tulsa to play popular requests and university fight songs for local fans.
In response to community feedback from last year's survey, the gala is also expanding its menu to include a full dinner catered by Melody's, featuring chicken alfredo, salad, and dessert. Tickets for the event are $125 each with cocktail attire requested. Tickets can be purchased online at BartlesvilleGala.org.
The fundraiser comes as Big Brothers Big Sisters experiences notable growth in the local area. Estes noted that the local chapter has already matched and served more children this year than in all of last year, with the waitlist dropping to just 28 waiting Littles.
"We're down to only 28 waiting Littles, so the list is shrinking, which is awesome because all these awesome volunteers are coming in," Estes said. "With that growth, we need a little bit more support. That's why this gala is super important—it keeps things flowing in the right direction."
For adults interested in becoming a mentor (Big), Estes emphasized that the primary qualification is simply giving time—typically two to four hours a month. Those interested in becoming a mentor or enrolling a child can sign up online at BigOklahoma.org to schedule a short 30-minute interview and get matched based on shared interests.
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