5TH Annual Picnic By Design successfully celebrates design while raising critical funds for HIV/AIDS
New York, NY (September 8, 2016) — On Wednesday evening, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted its largest and most successful Picnic By Design New York to-date with over $50,000 raised toward its grant making efforts. More than 200 people filled the indoor/outdoor space at the Mercantile Annex, an awe-inspiring all-white venue in the heart of the New York City, to enjoy a festive evening in support of DIFFA. Twenty leading designers created and donated vibrant, themed picnic baskets filled with key picnic essentials for attendees to place their bid.
“Over the last five years, we have seen Picnic By Design grow into one of our favorite fundraisers of the year, bringing together a diverse group of designers and attendees. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity from our supporters who lend their time, talent and donations to help us increase our grants to fight HIV/AIDS, here in New York and across the country,” said Johanna Osburn, DIFFA executive director. The success of Picnic By Design was made possible with the help from generous sponsors including EvensonBest and Office Resources.
Picnic By Design attendees were able to enjoy gourmet picnic fare catered by Canard Inc. and sample food from popular NYC establishments STK, Murray’s Cheese and Mr. Bing. While lounging on outdoor furniture by Ernst and Herman Miller, guests sipped on specialty cocktails provided by Benhar Office Interiors, Cliffton Dry, Corralejo Tequila and Regal Wines. The mood was set with music played through the Sony Life Space UX Glass Sound speakers stationed around the venue. At the end of the night and the closing of the silent auction, twenty lucky guests went home with one-of-a-kind designer baskets created by the city’s top designers.
The 2016 designers included: Andrea Algaze Design Concepts, Anthony Morris Designs, represented by Scott Brogan Group, FXFOWLE, Gensler + KNOLL, ICRAVE, id 810 design group, IIDA NY, Matouk, M + Ph, Michele Alfano / MoDmade NY, Scott Brownrigg, Stacy Garcia Inc., Stantec Architecture, Steven South, HLW Sponsored by Geiger, Ted Moudis Associates, Vanessa Deleon Associates, and Wills Design Associates
“I’ve had the honor of participating in Picnic By Design for the last few years and I am so pleased to have my basket [and previous baskets] displayed alongside a variety of talented designers. I’m grateful to the dedicated staff at DIFFA, our amazing industry who are loyal supporters and generous donors, who made this yet another successful event. It really speaks to the power of design and collaboration,” said interior designer Vanessa Deleon.
Picnic By Design is also hosted in cities throughout the country such as Las Vegas and Austin, Texas. DIFFA will launch the first-ever Picnic By Design LA in partnership with WestEdge Design Fair on November 5, 2016 at the The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. For more information about DIFFA and its fundraising efforts visit www.diffa.org.
About DIFFA:
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, have provided more than $41 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.
Media Contact:
DIFFA:
Shanea Phillips
Sphillips@diffa.org
6463804195
Novita
Alexandra Zwicky
alexandra@novitapr.com