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The YWCA of Oklahoma City is preparing for its 23rd Purple Sash Gala, an annual fundraiser that channels community support into services for people fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. This year’s program features former Thunder player and human-rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom, and organizers say proceeds will sustain emergency and survivor-focused resources across the metro area.
YWCA leaders describe the gala as the organization’s largest single fundraising effort, one that helps keep shelter beds open and critical support services operating year-round. The event mixes fundraising with a public awareness push about local needs that often go unseen until crisis hits.
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Who benefits and how
The money raised at Purple Sash goes directly to frontline services. According to YWCA officials, these include immediate housing for people escaping abuse, counseling and advocacy, and specialized programs that address practical barriers survivors face.
- Emergency shelter: short-term housing and safety planning for people leaving dangerous situations.
- Animal support program: care options so survivors can bring pets—an often overlooked obstacle to escaping abuse.
- Counseling and advocacy: legal, emotional and case-management assistance to help survivors stabilize and rebuild.
YWCA staff characterize the organization as a kind of triage center: the first place many survivors turn for immediate safety and referrals to long-term help.
Event highlights and special guest
This year’s gala will showcase Enes Kanter Freedom, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and has since been active on human rights issues. Organizers say his appearance is meant to draw attention to the theme of resilience and freedom that underpins the YWCA’s work.
Beyond the keynote, the evening will include live and silent auctions, entertainment and a program designed to help attendees connect more directly with the YWCA’s mission. Organizers also plan some new elements this year intended to deepen audience engagement with survivor stories and local service needs.
- Silent auction items include several travel packages and experiences.
- One headline item is a basketball signed by the current Thunder roster.
- The gala will offer a limited-run “golden ticket” raffle: 100 tickets sold, winner chooses from curated vacations ranging from sport fishing in Cabo to trips to Tuscany, Iceland or Jackson Hole.
Ways to support if you can’t attend
People who cannot be at the gala in person still have several options to contribute: purchase a golden ticket, bid remotely in the silent auction when it goes live, or donate through the YWCA’s website. Organizers stress that remote participants do not need to be present to win auction items or the golden ticket prize.
For event details, ticket availability and silent auction access, visit the YWCA of Oklahoma City events page: https://www.ywcaokc.org/events/purple-sash/
As demand for survivor services remains steady, the Purple Sash Gala aims to be more than an evening out: it’s a funding lifeline for programs that provide immediate safety, long-term recovery and the practical supports—like pet care—that can make escape possible.
