On the evening of Thursday, December 5, 2024, DIFFA Dallas kicked off the holiday season and welcomed the community to the 30th Annual DIFFA Dallas Holiday Wreath Collection event at The Empire Room to support its critical mission to combat HIV/AIDS.
Guests were welcomed at the entrance by a candy cane and peppermint balloon arch and reindeer games where guests had the opportunity to ride a mechanical reindeer before entering the venue.
The event brought guests in a sweet and sugary Candy Land experience. DIFFA Wreath Collection is a time-honored tradition showcasing over 60 uniquely crafted wreaths, each a testament to the creative brilliance of artisans, designers, and decorators.
Guests had the opportunity to view and bid on the exquisite wreaths from generous donors including Tootsie’s, Gabe Rounds, Christi Meril, Ashley Anderson Smith, Joseff of Hollywood, Sewell Automotive Companies, Cook Childrens, Starbucks, Brad Pritchett/David Chadd, Anna Curnes of Anna Lou Glass, and more. The wreaths, a stunning display of creativity and holiday spirit, contributed to DIFFA Dallas’ mission of funding grants for the North Texas AIDS Service Organization beneficiaries.
The evening’s entertainment featured DJ Shane Allen playing holiday tunes from the stage, surrounded by large silver ornaments hanging from the ceiling. Pink Christmas trees decorated the space while guests snacked on a charcuterie board, cotton candy and candy bar provided by Make Your Life Sweeter. Clips from holiday and candy-themed movies like Elf and Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory played on screens throughout the Empire Room.
Attendees participated in the Secret Santa Gift Pull, where they were able to choose a gift from under the Christmas tree valued between $50-$100. Drag queen performers from Hamburger Mary’s dressed in holiday attire walked the space taking photos with guests.
Patrons enjoyed several bars presented by OneBar USA all with different cocktails including a Winter Berry Punch, a Spiced Cranberry Margarita, and a Creamy Espresso Martini. For a late night pick me up guests could enjoy hot or iced coffee from Starbucks along with their signature cake pops.
Local drag queen Liquor Mini kicked off the program with a lip sync to a Christmas classic, “Oh Holy Night,” before inviting this year’s co-chairs, Steve Lopez and David Chadd to take the stage.
The chairs welcomed the crowd and shared a token of gratitude to thank sponsors Steve Lopez and Darren Deville, Hoyl Financial Beyond the Bar, Jackson Durham, Make Your Life Sweeter, OneBar USA, Starbucks, DJ Shane Allen, Audiovisual Factory, Balloon Kings, Hamburger Mary’s, Cordis Cotton Candy, Louis L. Borick Foundation, Sewell, and guests for their generous support.
The chairs then encourage guests to bid on their favorite wreath, participate in the silent auction, and purchase a gift in the Secret Santa Gift Pull. After the chairs finished, they handed the microphone to 2025 House of DIFFA Chair, Jacob Samson.
Samson thanked the event chairs for putting on an amazing event, before expressing his excitement for the upcoming House of DIFFA event on May 3, 2025, and the theme, Dreamstate.
Samson then handed the microphone back to Liquor Mini who introduced the next performance of “Last Christmas” by local drag performer Star Michaels.
In addition to the wreath auction, guests, including enjoyed a separate silent auction and raffle featuring opportunities to win accessories, art, interactive experiences, fashion pieces, home décor, and health and beauty products. Silent auction highlights included a four night stay in St Croix, a three night stay in Todos Santos, Mexico, an American Airlines loaded beverage cart, a Glitterville saturated vase collection, Michael Lang original paintings, Virginia Vuelsdorf original paintings, a Barbie painting by Steve Kaufman, and a mixed media sculpture by Brett Singleton.
Hamburger Mary performers continued to perform different songs throughout the evening, encouraging guests to donate to the good cause and get in the holiday spirit.
As the festive evening came to a close, guests collected their one-of-a-kind wreaths and silent auction items that they won in the auction as well as picked up their gifts from underneath the tree before heading home.
Notable attendees include LeeAnne Locken, Steve Kemble, Bill Moore, Kelli Seliger, Abbe Fenimore, Deborah Bowles, Brad Pritchett and David Chadd, Steve Lopez, Steve Hoyl, Shelle Carrig, Amy Baumann, Clayton Nabors, Korey Williams Andersen, Ashley Andersen Smith, Payton Martin, Ken Weber, Jacob Samson, Danny Acevedo, Brandon Bell, Rhiannon Bolen, Eric Bright, Rick Castillo, Jonathan Flores, JR Hernandez Christi Meril, Richard Rivas, Jainy Selvakumar, J.R. Shoman, Paige Westhoff, David White, Brett Singleton and Teric Thompson.
For more information about updates on future DIFFA Dallas initiatives and events, please visit www.diffadallas.org or follow them on Instagram @DIFFADallastx.
