Rain doesn’t dampen enthusiasm for picnic fundraiser

Forty diverse picnic baskets dotted a plot of turf Saturday evening inside Pavilion 2 at the World Market Center.

While those picnic baskets were supposed to be spread across the street at Symphony Park, Saturday’s rainy forecast forced the second annual Picnic by Design: Parasols in the Park indoors.

“We held it in September last year, and it was 92 degrees and bottles were uncorking themselves,” said Cory Sadler, association board co-chairman and Picnic by Design co-chairman. “This year we decide to hold it in the spring and we get rained out.”

All 40 picnic baskets, which were designed by local designers, were auctioned off online with starting bids of $300 and increased by increments of $50 prior to the event, Sadler said. Tables of four and eight were also purchased.

Attendees enjoyed a gourmet buffet-style dinner and listened to performances by the UNLV Jazz Ensemble, Toscha Comeaux and the male quartet These Guys.

Basket donors included the Wynn, Summerlin-area restaurant Honey Salt and Blue Man Group, which included tickets to a show and a custom-designed drum in the picnic basket.

“Everything in the basket goes home with the person who bought it,” Sadler said. “People have poured their heart and soul into this.”

The fundraiser was hosted by The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) in partnership with Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS , a New York City-based organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding organizations that provide treatment, services, programs and advocacy for those impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Sadler said he anticipates raising $75,000 this year, which will help fund programs at The Center.

“We’re seeing a lot of states reverting backwards so our programs are in higher demand than ever,” he said. “We have a huge homeless youth program, and we hope to solve it and eradicate it.”

When The Center closes its doors at 9 p.m., he said, “we have no idea where those youth sleep, and we’d like to be able to have buildings donated to keep them safe at night.”

DIFFA Executive Director Johanna Osburn said DIFFA has been in existence for more than 30 years and has chapters across the U.S.

She said the organization is thrilled to partner with The Center for the second year. “They provide critical services to those fighting HIV/AIDS,” Osburn said. “The creativity and generosity in this community will go far to help The Center.”

Diana Tennyson-Nielsen, a manufacturer’s representative with the Tennyson Nielsen Group, got creative with the picnic basket she donated for Picnic by Design.

“I knew we were going to be doing a picnic, and to me that’s organic and I was always told to lead with what you know and what your passion is,” she said. “I’m a gardener so I used a vintage wagon and a floral print.”

Tennyson-Nielsen said giving back to the community is vital.

“It’s a very worthy cause, and it’s an important organization,” she said. “I hope it will continue to grow and become a major event in Las Vegas.”

Stephanie Chippas, International Interior Design Association’s Las Vegas City Center director, said the organization put together a picnic basket themed around singer Cyndi Lauper.

“We had Cyndi sign a book and a photo for the basket,” she said. “We’re pleased and excited that we were able to contribute to this great event.”

International Interior Design Association Board Member Casey Sheehan added, “Despite the struggles they had with the rain, everything looks amazing and turned out well.”

Sadler said he anticipates Picnic by Design will grow more each year. “It’s selling itself now, and it speaks volumes to what we’ll achieve this year and for years to come,” he said.

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.