David Rockwell and Tom Viola to co-chair DIFFA’s September 5th fundraiser to support HIV/AIDS organizations
New York, NY (August 16, 2018) — DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is bringing its annual summer fundraiser, Picnic By Design, to Broadway this September! Hosted on the Lounge and Terrace at the Viacom building, featuring sweeping views of Times Square and Broadway, the seventh annual soirée invites more than 20 top tier designers and brands to creatively re-imagine a staple in New York City culture. Each year Picnic By Design brings out over 200 industry guests for gourmet picnic fare and custom designer baskets for auction. Event proceeds will support DIFFA’s mission to grant funds to HIV/AIDS service organizations across the country.
“You ask designers to create a simple basket, and you get a full-blown picnic extravaganza! Picnic by Design gathers the industry’s best and brightest design minds to support the cause through fervent creativity, and of course, through bidding to make a DIFFA-rence,” comments DIFFA Chair Cindy Allen.
Picnic By Design celebrates creative expression while raising funds and engaging designers in DIFFA’s mission to further the fight against HIV/AIDS. Co-chaired by David Rockwell, Founder and President of Rockwell Group, and Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS, the 2018 “On Broadway” edition will feature a star-studded cast. Guests will view and bid on more than 20 Broadway-themed baskets inspired by Tony award winning shows including Wicked, The Lion King, Kinky Boots, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Basket designers include Antoinette Loupe, Byron James-Ariza, BKSK Interiors, Catskill Provisions, Gensler + Knoll, Hunter Douglas, Jes Gordon, Knoll + Studios Architecture, Kravet, Lo Chen, Matouk, McCory Interiors, Michele Alfano Design, , Mikel Welch, NPZ Style & Décor, Peter Valcarcel, Rockwell Group, Shubert Organization, Ted Moudis Associates, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Vanessa Deleon Associates and Rebecca Wu Norman.
Current Picnic By Design sponsors include AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Blanco, Catskill Provisions, Carnegie, Hunter Douglas, Humanscale, Interior Design, Knoll Inc., Kravet Inc., National Kitchen & Bath Association, Robert Allen Duralee Group, POZ Magazine, Studio TK/ Teknion, Transwall, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
“We are excited to have so many remarkable companies and talented individuals donate their time and resources to support Picnic By Design each year. Creative design teams and talented artists, architects and tastemakers will bring the Broadway theme to life in DIFFA’s end-of-summer designer showcase. The proceeds from the event fund our grants to HIV/AIDS programs across the United States,” concludes Dawn Roberson, Executive Director at DIFFA.
Picnic By Design will take place on September 5th from 6pm – 9pm on the Lounge and Terrace at the Viacom building. For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org. Early bird tickets are now available at www.diffa.org for $125, with prices increasing on August 20. Visit www.diffa.org to sign up for exclusive event updates.
Media are invited to attend the Pre-Picnic Kick Off Event on August 22 from 5pm-7pm in the Pedestrian Plaza in Times Square. Contact sphillips@diffa.org for more information.
For real-time information and inspiring images, follow DIFFA on Facebook (@diffanational), Twitter (@diffanational) and Instagram (@diffanational). The official hashtag for the event is #picnicbydesign.
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 $43 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.
Media Contact:
DIFFA:
Shanea Phillips
646.380.4195
Novità Communications
Katie Bone / Katherine Smythe
katie@novitapr.com / katherine@novitapr.com