TULSA, Okla. — The Oklahoma Equality Center said it reached about 70% of its goal to stay open for the community.
Organizers told 2 News they're hopeful they'll get all the money they need. OKEQ announced an urgent push to raise $100,000 this week, preferably by Valentine’s Day.
The organization said they discovered a former volunteer embezzled $120,000 in October 2023.
Eddie Carreno, a member on the Board of Directors, told 2 News about the efforts to raise money to replace those funds. "As of this morning, the tally that we had was $70,000 in just individual donations and they keep coming in today it's amazing," he said.
2 News spoke with organizers when they first asked for help:
Several Tulsa businesses are also working to help the organization hit that goal.
Magic City Book Store is donating 25% of all sales from Sunday through Wednesday, and Saturn Room is donating 20% of its sales for the same time frame. Circle Cinema is hosting a movie screening to raise money, and some local churches are donating this week's offerings.
- Previous coverage >>> 'We need help': Equality Center in danger of closing, asks for donations
"The outpouring of support that we're seeing, I mean, it's going to keep us going for a few months," said Carreno.
OKEQ hopes to keep all of its programs going and regain the public's trust in its money management.
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