A Night in the Tropics to benefit Kelly B. Todd – Muskogee Daily Phoenix

An evening of tropical drinks and games can help children with neuromuscular disorders develop and grow, promoters say.

A Night in the Tropics, benefiting the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-muscular Center, will be 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Muskogee Civic Center. Tickets are $50.

Event chairwoman Kim Winston said people areencouraged to dress casually.

"Most people wear shorts and flip-flops," she said. "We have a wonderful tropical dinner. Cowboys Bar-B-Q and Grill is preparing a roasted pig."

Festivities include pay-to-play games, such as a wine spin.

"For $20 chances, you get to spin a wheel for a bottle of wine," Winston said. "It may land on an ordinary wine, or it may land on a very good wine."

Winston compared the Heads or Tails coin toss to an adult musical chairs. She said participants grab their heads or their buttocks. A coin is flipped, heads or tails.

"If you win, you keep standing," Winston said. "You just stand there grabbing body parts until one person is left."

The gala will feature live and silent auctions. Live auction items include a tour of The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, operated by Oklahoma TV chef Ree Drummond. People also may bid on stays in luxury condominiums.

The gala also will feature a cash bar, tropical drinks, dancing, photos and a live band.

A Night in the Tropics is one of Kelly B. Todd's main annual fundraisers. Winston said last year's event raised more than $28,000.

Center Executive Director Sharon Riggs said the funds are welcome.

"We are funded by donations, fundraisers, grants and the United Way," Riggs said. "This helps us to keep going."

The Kelly B. Todd Center offers physical and speech therapy at no cost to children born with such disorders as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down syndrome.

Riggs said the center serves at least 165 children, not including those attending Oklahoma School for theBlind.Children are referred by their pediatricians.

She said the center recently hired an occupational therapist who will help children develop sensory skills and fine motor skills, such as tying a shoe or buttoning a shirt.

Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-muscular Center was established in 1977 by David and Beverly Todd. Their son, Kelly, had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go

WHAT: A Night in the Tropics.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. June 24.

WHERE: Muskogee Civic Center, 425 Boston St.

BENEFITS: Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-muscular Center.

TICKETS: $50 per person, available online athttps://kbtoddcpcenter.org/event/night-in-the-tropics/ or at Kelly B. Todd Center, 1111 N. 36th St. or by phone, (918) 683-4621.

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A Night in the Tropics to benefit Kelly B. Todd - Muskogee Daily Phoenix