Benefit for single moms to be held on March 31

By Rose Drebes

Former Sooner and NFL inside linebacker Curtis Lofton is to be the speaker and a football signed by 22 Heisman Trophy winners is to be given away during the Arise Single Moms’ Sporting Clays Tournament on Friday, March 31.

The event is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Silver Leaf Shotgun Sports in Guthrie.

Pam Kanaly, who co-founded Arise Single Moms with Shelley Pulliam, said the organization celebrated 20 years in 2022 of providing resources for single moms.

“Our mission is to help single moms navigate life as they raise children alone,” she said. “We are one of America’s leading advocates for single moms.”

The Sporting Clays Tournament is a major fundraiser for the organization. Kanaly said some 120 participants are expected.

Everyone starts the day with a continental breakfast, followed by a day of fun, prizes, a 100-round main event, a raffle drawing and a catered lunch.

Lofton played college football for the University of Oklahoma and professionally for the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders. He was also raised by his grandmother as his mom could not, Kanaly said.

“It’s a very compelling story,” she said. “He gives so much praise to his grandma.

“We’re excited to have Curtis.”

In addition to the football donated by Heisman-winner Billy Sims, she said a package from the Hilton Garden Inn, 10 pounds of meat from Dunagan Farms, Yeti mugs, a Polar Bear ice chest, a piece from a Norman artist and much more are to be on the silent auction and in the raffle.

The online auction can be viewed and raffle tickets purchased at arisesinglemoms.com. The deadline to register for the clay tournament is Wednesday, March 22. Registration is also available on the website.

“Men and women are welcome to come – anyone who likes to shoot clays,” Kanaly said.

Single moms compose the single largest demographic. The free online resources offered by Arise Single Moms have been accessed by a quarter-million moms raising children on their own from all over the world. She said there have been 27,000 podcast downloads.

“To see what God has done over the last 20 years is amazing,” Kanaly said. “We are grateful for the influence we have had.”

She encouraged anyone knowing someone who needs Arise’s resources to pass the word along.

“They may not be a single mom, but they know one.”

Visit the website for more information on Arise Single Moms.