By David Luc Nguyen (Teriyaki Temple) 

Champagne and generosity flowed freely at DIFFA’s (Design Industry Foundation Fights AIDS) 2nd Annual Party at the Mansion at the Rainier Club in downtown Seattle.  “DIFFA raised nearly $120,000 for local HIV/AIDS service and education programs” says John Stevens, President of the local DIFFA Chapter.  “Our goal was to create a Retro Hollywood Playboy style party” he says.  The planners of the event definitely reached their goals by creating the perfect atmosphere. 

  “You couldn’t help feeling like an A-List Hollywood celebrity at the party,” gushed guest David Andersen.  “The setting couldn’t have been more perfect with the mansion as a historic backdrop and all of the beautiful people everyone.  To top it all off they had open bar, great food, a dance floor, and the gift bag was filled with great stuff.” 

More than 400 guests attended the fashionable event dressed in tuxedos, ball gowns, and in some cases just bow ties and bunny ears.  Extravagance was in high style as guests bid on luxury auction items which included: a yacht cruise for 20 on Lake Washington, a trip to the New York DIFFA Chapter’s Dining by Design Gala, a trip for 4 to the Playboy Mansion in LA, a Cartier watch, and other opulent auction items.  The money DIFFA has raised in the past year from this event and others like will be distributed as grants during a presentation ceremony on World AIDS Day (December 1st) at the W hotel. 

This year’s grant recipients include: Dunshee House, Entre Hermanos, Lambert House, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Rise ‘n Shine, Rosehedge AIDS Housing, Seattle African American Comfort Program, Seattle/King County Humane Society’s “Pet Project” AIDS Out Reach Program, and Youthcare. 

The Seattle chapter of DIFFA should be commended on their tireless (yet fabulous) work to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in our area and for making the lives of those living with the disease better. 

For more information on how to make a donation or get involved with DIFFA check out their website at: http://www.diffa.org/chapters_seattle.html.