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
Chavez for Charity to be Honored at Retailer Excellence Awards

Chavez for Charity will be honored with Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award during Gifts and Decorative Accessories' 65th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, taking place on Sunday, August 21, 2016, in New York City. The award recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry. Chavez for Charity is a leading fashion jewelry and accessories company that is unique in its mission and has a purpose much greater than profits. Supporting their trademark phrase ‘Colors for Causes’, for every product sold, Chavez for Charity donates 25 percent of profits to charitable causes worldwide.

Founded in 2013 by Julie Marie Chavez and Joe Cerbo, Chavez for Charity has raised more than $1 million for their partner charities. The company’s coveted collection of colorful jewelry and iconic bracelets are available in over 6,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada as well as online at ChavezforCharity.com. As of January 1, 2015, 25 percent of profits from the sales of Chavez for Charity’s Signature Collection black bracelets, necklaces and earrings, have supported Gift for Life. Additionally, in connection with World AIDS Day 2015, 25 percent of profits from the sales of Chavez for Charity’s World AIDS Day bracelets — black accented with red detail to symbolize hope and solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS — also benefitted Gift for Life. To date, Chavez for Charity has donated more than $50,000 for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, education and advocacy. For information and/or orders, please call 973-337-8551 or email info@chavezforcharity.com.

“Chavez for Charity was founded in order to support a range of charitable causes that make a difference in people’s lives,” said Joe Cerbo, Co-Founder and CEO. “Julie and I are honored to accept this award on behalf of our loyal employees, rep groups and customers, as well as the causes and organizations we support such as Gift for Life.”

“We deeply appreciate Julie and Joe’s dedication to supporting more than ten charitable organizations, among them Gift for Life,” said Frank Joens, Chair of the Gift for Life board. “No company has created a more compelling, stylish and rewarding partnership program. Their tremendous success story in turn becomes our success story.”

Hosted by Gifts and Decorative Accessories, the Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in retailing and individual achievement. During this festive industry gathering, 2016 finalists will be recognized, retail category winners will be announced and special recognition awards will be presented. Tickets, which are $185 each including cocktails and dinner, are available through https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1849261.

Chavez for Charity

Julie Marie Chavez and Joe Cerbo, founders of Chavez for Charity
 

Save the Dates for Gift for Life At-Market Events

Gift For Life events are hosted at and by markets across the U.S., in an effort to raise funds and awareness. Plan now to join industry colleagues at these coming at-market events!

ICON HONORS:
Thursday, July 14
Atlanta


Produced by AmericasMart Atlanta in conjunction with the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, an exclusive GHTA and Gift for Life Honor of Excellence is named at the initiation of the judges. For information or tickets, visit https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/AMT/Online/default.asp.

ICON

Up on the Roof:
Monday, August 1
Las Vegas


International Market Centers hosts its annual summer fundraiser and reception during the Las Vegas Market. For information or tickets, visit https://6thannualupontherooffundraiser.splashthat.com/



Retailer Excellence Awards
Sunday, August 21
New York City


Hosted by Gifts and Decorative Accessories, the REAs are the industry’s oldest awards. Gift for Life presents its Industry Achievement Award during the ceremony. For information or tickets, visit https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1849261



Gift for Life’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Gift for Life has been raising money for the education, prevention and eradication of HIV/AIDS for the past 25 years. Join the organization for a special night on Monday, February 6, 2017, in New York’s Central Park Loeb Boathouse. There will be a silent auction, food, drinks and dancing and a ceremony honoring special honorees and guests. We’ll take the time to reflect on the progress made to eliminate this infectious disease and look to the future for new solutions in prevention and treatment. For information or tickets, visit http://www.giftforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GFL-sponsor-packet-2017-FINAL.pdf.



Support
Gift for Life/National Stationery Show Team Raises $30,000+ for AIDS Walk New York

The Gift for Life/National Stationery Show team raised more than $30,000 for men, women, and families who are living with HIV/AIDS. With a generous $5,000 matching grant from DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS), the 2016 team met its $30,000 target, and with some last minute donations will exceed last year’s total.

This year marked the fifth consecutive cooperation of Gift for Life and the National Stationery Show to participate in the AIDS Walk NY, which takes place in New York City on Opening Day of the National Stationery Show. One small, but mighty team, walked the 10K route through Central Park and the other conducted a “virtual walk” through the Javits Center aisles in support of Gay Mens’ Health Crisis (GMHC), beneficiary of AIDS Walk NY. Currently, the team is ranked 15th overall in team fundraising, and the 2016 AIDS Walk NY — which was the 31st annual event — has raised more than $4.5 million collectively for the cause.

“It was another great AIDS Walk NY fundraising year for the GFL/NSS team, and I and my team co-leader, Caroline Kennedy, are proud to be affiliated with the team and the industry,” said Su Hilty. “We had three Star Walkers, who each raised more than $1,000 for the event, with the GFL/NSS team in Central Park this year, and we got the royal treatment every step of the way. Here’s to next year and another gold performance!”

More than $19,000 of the team’s total was raised by the two team co-leaders, Hilty and Kennedy, and two other Gift for Life board members, Matt Katzenson owner of Fine Lines (who virtually walked this year) and Kim Wahlberg of the Kimberly Wahlberg Company.

Kim Wahlberg

The Gift for Life/National Stationery Show Team at 2016 AIDS Walk NY
 

awareness
Spotlight on DIFFA Grantee: GMHC

AIDS Walk NY beneficiary and DIFFA grantee GMHC supports an expanded and formalized program for the Transgender community in New York — one of the most HIV-at-risk populations in the nation. What started in 1981 as an informal gathering to address concerns about HIV infections and raise money for research, has turned GMHC into the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. When people feel a sense of community, are empowered with pride and armed with information, they’re able to model healthy behaviors, build relationships and experience hope. To end the AIDS epidemic, the organization looks for comprehensive solutions that promote education, increase awareness, improve care, reduce stigma, elevate policy and build strong, supportive communities.


 
DIFFA Redesigns Website

Gift for Life's beneficiary, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS has a new and improved website! Thanks to a matching grant and pro bono help, www.diffa.org has been redesigned to be modern, appealing and functional. According to Johanna Osborn, executive director of DIFFA, "We are thrilled at the opportunity to better connect and engage with our supporters and grantees and better serve our community in the future."

DIFFA
 
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