Support a Worthy Cause; Picnic with DIFFA!

Ahead of PICNIC BY DESIGN, Supporters Can Post to Join in on the Fun

In celebration of the remaining weeks of summer, and to harness the excitement around the upcoming Picnic By Design®, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) calls on its friends and followers to show off their picnic prowess. As there are countless ways to picnic in style, DIFFA is asking, how do you picnic? Whether in New York City or on a far off adventure, DIFFA supporters can share a photo from a recent picnic or outdoor dining experience with the hashtags #ShowUsYourPicnic, #PicnicwithDIFFA and #Picnic. Followers can browse DIFFA’s social channels (@DIFFANational) for picnic inspiration, to view past designs, and to catch a couple sneak peeks of some of the baskets from this year’s roster of talented designers. Last year, interior designer Vanessa Deleon found inspiration from her Cuban heritage; this year, she’s set her sights on another stunning theme; an African safari. Picnic-goers can also expect a travel-inspired basket from designer Michele Alfano as she looks to a design hotspot across the Atlantic – Copenhagen, Denmark. Her design will include a handcrafted 3D contour map of the city’s coastline from Pangea Maps. Stacy Garcia Inc. will showcase a Provence-inspired basket design, featuring a luxury eco-throw from In2Green for a chic and cozy display. These internationally inspired designs will be shown among a total of 20 baskets, each styled around an original theme or idea.

There are plenty of reasons to venture outside and enjoy good food and company before summer’s end, but the most worthy incentive is the opportunity to support DIFFA in its fight against HIV and AIDS. For its annual Picnic By Design®, DIFFA invites the design community to the Rooftop at Stage 48 for a seasonal cocktail party. The evening will showcase the creative talents of 20 leading designers who have created custom picnic baskets for auction. Proceeds from the event and the auction will support DIFFA’s grant-making efforts to dozens of HIV/AIDS organizations across the country.

What: DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will host its annual event fundraiser Picnic By Design® on September 6th. This special summer sendoff invites over 20 participating designers to create original picnic basket designs. DIFFA supporters, influencers and the design community can bid on the basket designs throughout the evening while enjoying fresh cocktails and seasonal bites. The proceeds from the basket auction support DIFFA’s grant-making efforts to HIV/AIDS non-profits around the country. Tickets are available here ($150).

Where: Rooftop at Stage 48, 605 W. 48th Street, NYC

Guests can expect panoramic city views from the rooftop of this Hell’s Kitchen restaurant and lounge.

When: Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Who: Hosted by Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). The 2017 Picnic By Design designers are: Andrea Schumacher Interiors, Antoinette Loupe, Canard Inc., Dwell Studio, FXFOWLE, JesGORDON/properFUN x Dirt Cobain, Stillwell Events nyc @ Elegant Affairs nyc, Lladró porcelain lighting & decor, Matouk, Mitchell Hill, Michele Alfano Design, in partnership with Tiago Fonseco, NPZ Style & Decor, Scott Brogan Group, Stacy García Inc., Studio TK / Gensler, Sheila Bridges – Harlem Toile, Ted Moudis Associates – Design/ Planning/ Strategy, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Vanessa Deleon Associates, Wills Design Associates, World of Wonder’s “DragCon Basket” styled by Tyler Wisler, Yetta Banks for Viacom.

Supported by the generosity of the following sponsors: Bolon, StudioTK, Ege, The Robert Allen Duralee Group, Blanco, NTT Industries Inc., Interior Design, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, DRS And Associates, 200 Lex, Maya Romanoff, and DXV.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Dawn Roberson at droberson@diffa.org.  Visit www.diffa.org to sign up for exclusive event updates.

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.

Picnic By Design – Michele Alfano basket with guests

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 provided more than $42 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.