The 2011 Atlanta Cotillion season of fundraising for AID Atlanta kicks off in style this week with "A Night at Saks," a cocktail event April 7 at Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps Plaza featuring a men's luxury caravan with a percent of purchases going to the organization.

Every spring and summer since 2002, Atlanta Cotillion has enlisted groups of gay men as drag "debutantes" to raise money for AID Atlanta, the largest HIV and AIDS service organization in the southeast. The debutante who raises the most money is crowed queen at a formal ball at the end of the fundraising season.

Atlanta Cotillion has donated more than $950,000 to AID Atlanta, making it one of the single largest donors of unrestricted funds to the HIV/AIDS organization, according to its website. Last year the group raised more than $110,000.

Atlanta Cotillion event chair Darrell Burke says the past two years of partnerships with Saks have raised about $4,800 combined, but hopes to raise attendance and donations at this year's event.

"We are hoping to maintain our attendance at 100-plus and we think that with awareness and the fact that the event is just plain fun, we hope to exceed that," Burke says. "Saks has been wonderful by donating luxury items for raffle and this year they are donating 10 percent of all Men's Store purchases back to Atlanta Cotillion, benefiting AID Atlanta."

Burke adds that about 40 percent of Atlanta Cotillion funding comes through "committee sponsored events," like this unofficial kick-off at Saks. As for the rest, 40 percent comes from individual debutante fundraising and the last 20 percent from sponsorships and miscellaneous funding.

This year's deb class of seven or eight men will be announced at the group's private spring social event on April 17, and official fundraising beings May 1.

"Now, more than ever, we must help those who don't have the means to help themselves," Burke says of Atlanta Cotillion's mission.

"Charities took such a hard hit these past few years due to the economic recession. So it's up to us — those of us with the passion to help others and have the capacity to do so — to shut up, step up and help. AID Atlanta is a valuable organization that truly transforms the lives of those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. We are proud to be a part of this organization," Burke added.

Pre-order tickets are a $30 suggested donation online at www.atlantacotillion.com/cocktailsatsaks or $35 at the door. Ticket sales go directly to AID Atlanta. Complimentary cocktails will be provided by Svedka Vodka, with service provided by Delta's in-flight crews. DJ McCracken mans the turntables.

'A Night of Luxury'

Fundraiser for Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta
Thursday, April 7
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps Plaza
3440 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
www.atlantacotillion.com/cocktailsatsaks

Top photo: Last year's Atlanta Cotillion queen was Ava Von Seco, a.k.a. Joshua Bettis. (by Brent Rence Corcoran/RNZ Photography)