Last Saturday night when you walked into the Center’s main auditorium Bill Hardt and his Powerhouse and Quantum Productions had transformed it into a beautiful ballroom. Over 250 community members and elected officials were in attendance to celebrate the Alano Club’s 20th anniversary celebration and dinner.

The event’s keynote speaker, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, received a standing ovation for his remarks concerning the lack of national GLBT leadership and focus on the growing drug and alcohol epidemic in our community. The three special 20th anniversary “Outstanding Distinguished Service” honorees were District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who was presented with her award by Superior Court Judge Ted Weathers, Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins, who was presented her award by Congressman Bob Filner, and long time businesswoman Carla Coshow, who was presented her award by State Assemblymember Christine Kehoe.

Outstanding entertainment was provided by In aChord and singers Leigh Scarritt, Ric Henry, Jeffrey Rockwell and the cast of Red Hot and Gay.

The theme of the 20th anniversary of the Live and Let Live Alano Club was inspired by the coffee cup so familiar at all recovery centers and organizations — “Behind every cup there is a face. Behind every face there is a story. Behind every story there is hope.… You!” Every guest at the event received a beautiful cup provided by ROK Enterprises.

Among community leaders in attendance were City Attorney candidate Mike Aguirre, former Chief of Staff to the Governor and candidate for State Assembly Vince Hall, Ben F. Dillingham, Bill Beck, Rev. Tony Freeman, Gloria Johnson, Joyce Marieb, Dr. Linda Barufaldi, Al Best and many more.

During the evening businesswoman Jona Briggs took the stage and announced a $2,000 pledge from herself and Carla Coshow, and made a challenge to those in the audience to match their donation. Within a few minutes $10,000 was raised.

Alano Club Co-chairs Michelle Mazzarese and Kevin Choate were overwhelmed with the success of the dinner and silent auction, which turned out to be the biggest benefit in the organization’s 20-year history.

The 20th anniversary event was the brainchild of the dinner’s Chairperson Nicole Murray Ramirez, who stated, “The success of this event is totally due to my hardworking gala committee, generous businesspeople and community leaders, and members who believe as I do that for the last 20 years the Alano Club has changed the lives and, yes, saved the lives of countless of our brothers and sisters.