Gift For Life
Nov/Dec 2013
Gift for Life
   
 

What's GFL Doing?

Kurt Adler Inc., Clare Brett Smith and Norman Glassberg To Be Honored at Party for Life

The Adler Family The Adler Family

Clare Brett Smith
Clare Brett Smith

Norman Glassberg
Norman Glassberg

Kurt Adler Inc and Clare Brett Smith will be honored during Gift for Life’s 22nd Annual Party for Life, to be held Monday, February 3, 2014, at The Boathouse in New York City's Central Park. In addition, Norman Glassberg, founder of tag, will be honored posthumously.

The Kurt S. Adler, Inc. company is being honored with Gift for Life's Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award. Founded by Kurt S. Adler in 1946, the company has been a leading importer of holiday decorations for more than 60 years and continues today to be run by Kurt Adler’s children – Howard, Clifford and Karen.

"As a family business we have long recognized the need to help support community service and education programs," says Cliff Adler, Kurt Adler Inc. co-president. "We appreciate the recognition from Gift for Life and their continuing efforts across the U.S."

Independent crafts professional Clare Brett Smith, president emeriti of Aid to Artisans, is receiving Gift for Life's Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award. Smith was a craft importer for 15 years before joining the nonprofit Aid to Artisans, where she served as president for more than 20 years and helped to create economic opportunities for low-income artisan groups around the world.

"Economic opportunities go hand in hand with healthcare and education. These are the building blocks of successful communities around the world, which Gift for Life clearly recognizes," says Clare Brett Smith. "I am honored to accept this award on behalf of craftspeople and the larger creative business community."

Norman Glassberg, founder of Trade Associates Group Ltd. (tag) and a noted philanthropist, is being honored posthumously with the Trailblazer Award. Today, tag is recognized as one of the leading designers and distributors of quality giftware, tabletop, home-décor items, furniture and seasonal accessories.

"Norman was a true visionary and a best friend," said Barbara Turf, former CEO of Crate & Barrel, in a statement issued by tag following his death last April. "His business timing was always impeccable. His work ethic was enviably consistent. Norman's innovation and brilliance commanded employee and industry respect. He will be deeply missed."

"The Adler family, Clare Brett Smith, and Norman Glassberg represent the most generous spirit within our industries," states Stu Teller, chair of the Gift for Life board. "Their boundless energy to meet the needs of the industry has been matched by a generous spirit."

Make plans now to attend Gift for Life’s 22nd Annual Party for Life, benefiting DIFFA. Individual tickets are $125; and sponsorships ranging from $500 through $25,000 are available. Tickets and sponsorships, as well as program ads, can now be purchased online by clicking here. For additional details, contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org or 212-727-3100.

   
 


Celebrity Evette Ríos to Host Party for Life

 Evette Ríos
Evette Ríos

Evette Ríos – a bilingual television host, lifestyle expert and writer who starred as a field correspondent and roving reporting for ABC's "The Chew" and currently hosts the CBS TV show "Recipe Rehab" – has been tapped as the host of Gift for Life's Life’s 22nd Annual Party for Life, taking place on Monday, February 3, 2014, at The Boathouse in Central Park in New York City, during NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®).

"I'm very excited to be involved with Gift for Life," states Ríos, who also serves as a board member of DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. As Party for Life host, she will help to introduce Gift for Life's award honorees and assist with the live auction.

 

   

 

 

Who's Helping?

Seattle Holiday Sample Sale is Underway

Pacific Market Center Seattle

The 17th Holiday Sample Sale, featuring products donated by exhibitors at the Pacific Market Center in Seattle, WA, is taking place now through January 12, 2014, in Edmonds, WA. Park Avenue Agents of the Pacific Market Center is managing the sale of donated gifts, toys, books, home accessories and more, which are available to the public at wholesale prices – with all proceeds going to Gift for Life.

This year the sale is located at 22824 100th Ave W in Edmonds, WA. Merchandise has been donated from many Pacific Market Center wholesale showrooms, independent retailers and manufacturers across the country. Unsold merchandise will be donated to local AIDS-related charities such as the Lifelong AIDS Alliance and Seattle Children's Thrift Shops.

"With the holiday season right around the corner, this event gives consumers the perfect opportunity to shop at wholesale prices while supporting a great cause," says Heidi Park of Park Avenue Agents.

In 2011, the last time the biennial sale took place, proceeds of $30,000 were presented to Gift for Life. Since 1992, the sale has raised more than $300,000.

"The Pacific Northwest has always been a tremendous partner," says Stu Teller, chair of the Gift for Life board. "It’s a region with strong ties to wholesale, with healthy retail conditions and with generous people; therefore, we expect this year to be another great success."


   
  One Kings Lane Sale Raises $20,000 for Gift for Life
One Kings Lane

The second annual special sales event hosted by One Kings Lane, a leading online marketplace for the home, raised $20,000 to benefit Gift for Life. The five-day online sale at www.onekingslane.com featured on-trend merchandise from leading suppliers, including products from: Harry Barker, Mierco and Stephanie Johnson, among others.

The sale offered curated items from NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®) and One Kings Lane vendors as an extension of NY NOW’s "Open House" trend and product display – a collaboration with One Kings Lane, Gifts and Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today and Home Textiles Today. The display showcased products reflective of four home design trends: Monochromatic, Neo-Traditional, Vintage with a Twist and Well Cultured.

"We are very pleased with the results of this collaboration," says Susan Feldman, co-founder and chief merchandising officer of One Kings Lane. "Providing quality products that benefited an amazing cause was a win-win for customers and for Gift for Life."

"Special thanks again to One Kings Lane for its support and continued partnership for this event benefiting Gift for Life. Thanks also to the customers around the world who supported this event and NY NOW and its participating manufacturers," states Stu Teller, chair of the Gift for Life board.

 
  Umbra's "Little Red Dress" Continues to Benefit Gift for Life
 Umbra's "Little Red Dress"

Gift for Life has received nearly $4,500 so far from sales of Umbra's "Little Red Dress" jewelry organizer – for which a portion of each sale benefits the organization. "Little Red Dress," designed by Matt Carr, Umbra's director of design, provides jewelry storage with 39 clear pockets on the front and 24 hook-and-loop closures on the back. It measures 18" x 42" and retails for $20.

"Umbra's stylish products are matched by a tremendously generous spirit," says Gift for Life Chair Stu Teller. "We are pleased to partner with them in order to support HIV/AIDS education and care across the U.S." For additional details, visit www.umbra.com.


  DIFFA News

 

"Thanks for Giving" Fundraiser
 "Thanks for Giving" party goers
"Thanks for Giving" partygoers
DIFFA held a new, fall fund-raising event on Wednesday, November, 20, called "Thanks for Giving." This pre-holiday soirée featured cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a fabulous holiday gift auction. The event took place at the McCann Erickson headquarters on the Gensler-designed 26th floor at 622 Third Avenue at East 40th St., with proceeds benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. A great time was had by all!


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