When Oklahomans see Toby Keith, it’s normally in one of two places. He’s either on stage performing or on the sidelines of a University of Oklahoma football game. Those seem to be the places the Moore native feels the most at ease.

However, there is another surrounding that Keith wants to start shedding some light on — charity founder.

Ally’s House has become the country star’s favorite charity, which is why he was in Moore Saturday hosting the Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic at Belmar Golf Club.

“This will be our fifth year with this event,” Keith said, “and we’re always trying to take it to the next level.”

The golf tournament is part of the two-day event Keith puts together every year to raise money for Ally’s House, which was established to help kids with cancer in Oklahoma after a two-year old named Allison Faith Webb died of cancer. She was the daughter of his former guitar player, Scott Webb.

Keith hosted a private party at Riverwind Casino Friday which was themed “Denim and Diamonds.” that raised $699,000. It included dinner, live music and a live auction of memorabilia, special outings and even a ride with the Blue Angels and a New York trip for two that included tickets to Saturday Night Live.

The highest bids was dinner with Keith, which went for $35,000. Second biggest was The Deadliest Catch Package. For $27,500 the winner gets to go out with Captain Sig on the Northwestern and learn to crab fish and also have dinner with him and his crew.

Along with Keith, such celebrities as Roger Clemens, Johnny Bench, Bob Stoops and many other high profile names were on hand to add to the festivities.

However, even though the entire weekend was full of fun, laughs and a good time, Keith and his guests never forgot the reason he put the foundation together.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet night,” said Ally’s father, Scott Webb. “It’s a sad night and a happy night. She is not here physically, but I know she is here in spirit.”

Just before her second birthday, a knot was found on the side of Allison Faith Webb’s belly. She was taken to the doctor and sizable tumors were found in both her kidneys. Later it was concluded she had Wilm’s tumors.

After three surgeries, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, Ally Webb died Aug. 6, 2003, in her mother’s arms. She was a month away from turning 3 years old.

With Ally’s House, Keith is trying to keep parents from having to watch their children die of the deadly disease. And his friends have come along for the ride.

“When Toby believes in something, he gives it one hundred percent — and he believes in these kids,” former OU football coach Barry Switzer said. “I’ve come to support Toby and Ally’s House since the first year. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Keith has raised more than $2.5 million for Ally’s House, including more than $300,000 in its first year. Proceeds raised has helped the families of nearly 200 Oklahoma children during their cancer treatments.