Events, Support, Awareness Updates 
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Gift for Life, an industry partnership to raise funds for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and education
Events
Party for Life Raises More Than $200,000

Guests at Gift for Life’s 23rd annual Party for Life event dined and danced at Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse on Monday, February 2, raising more than $200,000 for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), Gift for Life’s charity partner. A number of items were auctioned off for the charity including guitars autographed by Sheryl Crow and Jason Mraz, market trips, vacation packages, fashion week invites, high-end jewelry and home décor items.

Susan Feldman, co-founder and chief merchandising officer at One Kings Lane was honored with Gift for Life’s Norman Glassberg Trailblazer Award; Beatriz Ball, of her eponymous brand, was honored with the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award; and John Grob, founder of J. Grob Associates, received the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award. Gifts and Decorative Accessories former Editor-in-Chief Caroline Kennedy received special recognition for her years of service to Gift for Life. Mike Turnbull, senior vice president of strategic relations at AmericasMart Atlanta received the organization’s prestigious Founder’s Award for his work with the charity.

“This was an extraordinary event with record attendance,” says Frank Joens, Gift for Life chair. “The outstanding honorees inspired incredible generosity from our industry in support of Gift for Life. We are grateful to all that attended and donated to this cause.”


Group photo

(From left) GFL Chair Frank Joens, Susan Feldman (One Kings Lane), Beatriz Ball
(Beatriz Ball), John Grob (J. Grob Associates), and Former GFL Chair Stu Teller.

First Party on Peachtree a Major Success

More than 2,000 attendees reveled at the inaugural Party on Peachtree event, which took place January 8 in Atlanta in conjunction with the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The first annual event, which was hosted by AmericasMart Atlanta with presenting sponsor Poo-Pourri, raised nearly $60,000 for Gift for Life (GFL) and Young Gift Executives (YGE). Funds will benefit HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment through the efforts of DIFFA and Caminar Latino’s comprehensive domestic-violence intervention programs.


band

Attendees enjoyed the sounds of the 1970’s classic band,
The Helpers, and Emmy-nominated emcee, Tom Sullivan.

Support
Chavez for Charity Chooses to Partner with Gift for Life

Chavez for Charity, a leading fashion accessories company combining style with support of charitable causes, is partnering with Gift for Life. Since January, 25 percent of the gross profit from the sales of Chavez for Charity’s Signature Collection black bracelets, black necklaces and earrings support Gift for Life.

“Chavez for Charity was created to help a range of charitable causes that make a difference in people’s lives,” says Joe Cerbo, co-founder and CEO of Chavez for Charity. “We jumped at the chance to support Gift for Life’s mission of funding HIV/AIDS service and education programs. We appreciate the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for this amazing volunteer organization and to recognize the positive impact they make in communities across the U.S.”

Since its founding in 2013, Chavez for Charity has raised more than $400,000 for select charitable causes. Its stylish products are made with quality materials at an affordable price and are available in more than 2,000 of the leading stores in the U.S. and online.


Chavez for Charity
Chavez for Charity, Gift for Life’s latest cause marketing partner,
is donating a portion of the profits from their Signature Collection
black bracelets, necklaces and earrings to the organization.


Gift for Life Collaborates with National Stationery Show for AIDS Walk New York

For the fourth consecutive year, Gift for Life is partnering with the National Stationery Show® to participate in AIDS Walk New York. Last year, the Gift for Life/National Stationery Show team raised more than $30,000 and placed 14th among the event's top 25 fundraising teams overall - reaching GOLD status! . DIFFA has generously agreed to grant $5,000 to the team again this year, and fundraising efforts of the Gift for Life/National Stationery Show team are projected to surpass last year’s funds raised.

Team leader Su Hilty stresses that those interested in signing up and fundraising can participate in the 30th annual AIDS Walk New York or participate as virtual walkers.

“We need everyone to sign up,” says Hilty. “We need everyone to say that they believe in this cause and that they support it.”

The 10K walk takes on Sunday, May 17 — opening day of the National Stationery Show — in Central Park. Those interested in participating in the event or fundraising on behalf of team Gift for Life/National Stationery Show can register at ny.aidswalk.net using 3894 or by contacting Su Hilty at hiltybrady@aol.com.

AIDS Walk NY

The 2014 Gift for Life/National Stationery Show team
raised more than $30,000 for AIDS Walk New York.

Why I’m a GFL Supporter

Frank Joens, newly appointed chair of the Gift for Life board and LA Mart senior vice president and general manager has been serving on the board since the mid 2000s. As a child, Joens’ family emphasized the importance of volunteering, and since the late 1980s, he’s worked with HIV/AIDS awareness organizations. Looking forward to the organization’s upcoming opportunities, he’ll be chairman of the board during Gift for Life’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

“It’s a bit of a challenge sometimes for people to understand that the AIDS crisis isn’t over; it’s just less visible,” says Joens. “Fortunately, AIDS has become a more manageable and chronic disease, rather than one that is immediately fatal.” He continues to be grateful for the support of the LA Mart management and showrooms and he consistently works to educate his team about Gift for Life and DIFFA’s funding for AIDS treatment and prevention.


Frank Joens

Frank Joens

Awareness
DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN a Record-Breaking event

The 18th edition of DINING BY DESIGN (DBD) took place March 19-23 in New York City in conjunction with the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. The event is the organization’s largest fundraiser and celebrates great design while supporting the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. This year's edition took place in a new location — the 30,000-square-foot Pier 92 — to accommodate the growing event and increase in attendees.

Each year, DIFFA transforms a raw space into a showcase of magnificent, over-the-top dining environments in support of the cause, and this year did not disappoint. The stunning setting plays host to a public viewing, cocktail party and gala dinner. DIFFA programming in the Architectural Digest Home Design Show theater and docent led tours of the dining displays were new to the 2015 event. The exhibit featured 50 outstanding dining installations by top design and fashion brands including Gift for Life Board Member, Marc Blackwell.

“DIFFA’s beginnings revolve around compassion — compassion for those compromised on every level, because of HIV/AIDS,” says Blackwell. “These incredibly talented designers and artists who step forward each year to produce DINING BY DESIGN celebrate our inspiration: compassion begets art. The staff and board of DIFFA celebrate this concept daily, just as does every participant.”

After DBD New York closes, the event will travel to cities across the country. The nationwide tour has raised $17 million for DIFFA and its regional chapters since its inception.


Dining by Design

Marc Blackwell (middle right) and partner Eric Reinitz (left)
celebrate with friends at Cocktails by Design.

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