If you are looking for a way to have a beautiful date night, or to spend some family time together while supporting a great cause I highly suggest The Annual Can Superhero Soirée and or the CAN Superhero Challange. CAN stands for Child Abuse Network. They are a ‘Community-Based Child Abuse Intervention Program Centered Around the Child.” Now let me start out by saying, I know with a name like ‘The Child Abuse Network’ can freak people out because it draws attention to something many want to ignore. But, please don’t be freaked out. CAN is an organization that strives to help children and families feel safe as they work to heal. I love how they say ‘CAN’ because everyone who helps a child or those working to help children CAN be a Superhero.
CAN Superhero Soirée
This inaugural event isn’t your typical cocktail party. This event encourages folks to dress in cocktail attire with flair. AKA Superhero accessories. The reason, to draw attention to everyday people working to help end abuse and to help families dealing with abuse heal. They don’t wear capes or mask in real life, but they are real-life Superheroes to children every day. The Soirée took place at the beautiful ‘Tulsa Club Hotel.’ The paring only makes sense if you think about the history of this beautiful building. I’ll save that for another post except to say this; The Tulsa Club Hotel is a jewel in the heart 
of T-Town that had more than lost her shine. She needed to be heard, seen and brought back to life. She needed to be loved. Much like a child needs to be heard, seen and loved. On this night, guests heard the call, and they came dressed to impress in Superhero fashion. I was serving as emcee, so I didn’t get to take a ton of pictures, but I snapped a few before things officially kicked off. Guests 
enjoyed a fantastic meal, live auction, and dance party. One of the most special moments of the evening came when a mother stepped up to the mic and began to share her story. She didn’t go into specifics, but she did tell enough of her story to have an impact and make a difference. This was a mom that dared to share with a room full of strangers knowing it might help other children and families. She spoke about terrifying moments for her family and some of her fears and concerns for her son. She also talked about how CAN helped them when they needed it most. And then she introduced her Superhero to all of us, her brave little boy who won everyone’s hearts with his spirit and courage. This mom also just happens to be CAN President and CEO Maura Guten.
CAN Superhero Challange
The next day out at Postoak Lodge, CAN host their Superhero Challange. My husband and I took the kids to see the Avengers Endgame movie that morning. Then grabbed a quick bite and hit the road.
Event Chairs Tara O’Mahony & Taheerah Salim
My girlfriends and I learned about the event from our friend Taheerah Salim who served as
Co-Chair along with my new friend Tara O’Mahony. I have to say. I am so glad they took the time to work on this project and tell so many of us all about it and why it’s so important. We had perfect weather for the obstacle course, face painting and kids park complete with awesome inflatables. We got our outfits together for our team, complete with our kiddos in tow, and headed out to show support and love. Taheerah and Tara were busy running around making sure everyone had fun, and things were running smoothly. There’s no telling what time they got to the venue. No matter how tired they might have been, you could not see it because they were on a mission. These two ladies gave this event their all, and it showed. Somehow they still found time to hang out with everyone and laugh and enjoy the day. My kids loved it, and so did all my girls!
Alfre Woodard, Denise Hoey, Janell Woods, Neile Jones, & Taheerah Salim
Before the event Alfre got us all registered and organized, Janell made the t-shirts and tutus, and Taheerah found a way to make time to deliver our swag bags complete with our numbers for the back of our shirts and parking passes. So on the day, we were ready to go! The run/obstacle course was so cool; the organizers did an excellent job putting it all together. Our kids took off in a sprint while the ladies and myself, including my teen daughter, walked and completed all the obstacles too. We laughed so hard as we climbed the wall, did the tires, dribbled, and did the potato sack race. Whatever the challenge we were all in. Each ‘challenge’ of course aptly named after a Superhero.LOL.
Then at the end, we all stopped to get a snow cone and visit a while. Hundreds of kids came out all dressed as their favorite Superhero. I had so much fun just watching all of them as they seized the moment and everything the day had to offer — all of this fun to support an organization that works to help those who need it most. As I looked around thankful for all laughter from the big and little kiddos, I thought to myself how CAN works to help children and families heal so that they can live their lives to the fullest. We need organizations like CAN, and we need to remember, ‘Superheroes’ come in all different forms, we can all make a difference in some way, and it starts by choosing to care…because you CAN. Again, thank you, CAN, for what you do to make our community better even in the most difficult of times for those who need it most.
CAN Superhero Challange
The next day out at Postoak Lodge, CAN host their Superhero Challange. My husband and I took the kids to see the Avengers Endgame movie that morning. Then grabbed a quick bite and hit the road.
Event Chairs Tara O’Mahony & Taheerah Salim.
My girlfriends and I learned about the event from our friend Taheerah Salim who served as Co-Chair along with my new friend Tara O’Mahony. I have to say. I am so glad they took the time to work on this project and tell so many of us all about it and why it’s so important. We had perfect weather for the obstacle course, face painting and kids park complete with awesome inflatables. We got our outfits together for our team, complete with our kiddos in tow, and headed out to show support and love for our friends and a wonderful organization. Taheerah and Tara were busy running around making sure everyone had fun, and things were running smoothly. There’s no telling what time they got to the venue. No matter how tired they might have been, you could not see it because they were on a mission. These two ladies gave this event their all, and it showed. Somehow they still found time to hang out with everyone and laugh and enjoy the day. My kids loved it, and so did all my girls!
Alfre Woodard, Denise Hoey, Janell Woods, Neile Jones, & Taheerah Salim
Before the event Alfre got us all registered and organized, Janell made the t-shirts and tutus, and Taheerah found a way to make time to deliver our swag bags complete with our numbers for the back of our shirts and parking passes. So on the day, we were ready to go! The run/obstacle course was so cool. Our kids took off in a sprint while the ladies and myself, including my teen daughter, walked and completed all the obstacles as well.
We, of course, made time to Insta on the trail. LOL.
We laughed so hard as we climbed the wall, did the tires, dribbled, and of course did the sack races. Each challenge of course aptly named after a Superhero.LOL.
I had to get my face painted
Then at the end, we all stopped to get a snow cone and visit a while. Hundreds of kids came out all dressed as their favorite Superhero. I had so much fun just watching all of them as they seized the moment and everything the day had to offer — all of this fun to support an organization that works to help those who need it most. As I looked around thankful for all laughter from the big and little kiddos, I thought to myself how CAN works to help children and families heal so that they can live their lives to the fullest. We need organizations like CAN, and we need to remember, ‘Superheroes’ come in all different forms, we can all make a difference in some way, and it starts by choosing to care…because you CAN. Again, thank you, CAN, for what you do to make our community better even in the most difficult of times for those who need it most.
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