Mardi Gras At The Mellon!

NORTHWEST – Saturday night, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium was aglow for the 22nd Annual Casino Night benefiting the National Kidney Foundation.

Some of D.C.'s most glamorous stepped out in black tie, feather boas, sequined masks, and, of course, lots of metallic beads.... Did we mention the Mardi Gras carnival theme?

Guests enjoyed the flavors, sights, and sounds of the Big Easy while trying their hands at various games of chance, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and ...er... Guitar Hero (the exception to the rule).

Retired Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington and his beautiful wife Trishia Arrington hosted the glamorous benefit for the second year in a row, with the goal of matching last year's fundraising goals in the fight against kidney disease.

Some of the evening’s other guests of honor included Event Chairs Maureen Gleason Bryant and Michael Ruggerio, D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown, Council members Marion Barry and Michael Brown, and Ashley Elmore from ABC’s The Bachelor.

Hundreds of silent auction items were strategically scattered throughout the room and, given that all proceeds benefited the National Kidney Foundation directly, guests did not hesitate to bid early and often. Everything from signed Redskins and Justin Bieber memorabilia (cue screaming girls) to fur coats and vineyard trips had bidders scrambling throughout the night.

"Diamond" supporters received VIP access for the event, including priority check-in and auction check-out, five raffle tickets, $10,000 in play gaming money, and access to the exclusive Effen Vodka-sponsored High Roller Suite, complete with private DJ, vodka ice luge, specialty food and drinks.

And with close to $100,000 raised to support medical research, patient and community services, professional education, and organ donation awareness in the D.C. metro region, everyone left winners!

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For more information about the National Kidney Foundation, please visit the organization's website at www.kidney.org.