By LisaMarie Martinez | Contributing Writer lisa_marie808@charter.net

Theme for annual fundraiser benefiting RCD’s AIDS programs is ‘Night at the Speakeasy’

Resource Center Dallas’ 12th Annual Toast to Life event, sponsored by Pride Pharmacy, is set to take people back to the Roaring ’20s, with the theme "A Night at the Speakeasy."

The fundraiser, which benefits RCD’s HIV/AIDS programs, will be held Saturday night, April 17, at the FIG-Fashion Industry Gallery.

Dee Pennington and Dr. David M. Lee, event co-chairs and RCD board members, said they hope attendance this year will surpass the 800-plus of past events.

Toast to Life will featured appetizers prepared by prominent local chefs, along with drinks and the "Ice Bar" by event sponsor Ketel One. The event also includes the "The Art of Living" live and silent auctions, live entertainment, gaming, a DJ and dancing.

Pennington is managing this year’s auctions, which she said will include items such as a gay ski week package, a Providence Town package and art work. Lee and Pennington also said thanks to the event sponsors and the volunteers who have organized Toast to Life, all of the proceeds would go to RCD’s programs.

Rafael McDonnell, strategic communications and programs manager for RCD, said, "The noteworthy part of Toast to Life is that it has had long- term community support, people who have donated or have come year after year. It’s because of them that the Resource Center has been able to do the work that they do for the HIV/AIDS communities, and have done so for many years.

For more information, go online to ToastToLife.org.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 16, 2010.проверить pr