Since then, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6M for AIDS research and education, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment with charity partners AmfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) (1992-2007) and DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (2008-2020). Beginning in 2020, with COVID-19 temporarily causing cancelation of in-person events at industry markets, Gift for Life pivoted toward
s online digital events, with a specific emphasis on supporting World Central Kitchen’s crisis-related food insecurity programs. CURRENT FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
“Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good.” Partners
Gift for Life launched its successful “Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good” fundraising campaign in 2021. Industry support was swift and wide reaching, with $100,000+ raised for World Central Kitchen through industry events including IMC’s Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market, Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards; Home Textiles Today in connection with Home Textiles Market Week; Gift & Home Trade Association; and Clarion UX in connection with four of its events -- Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift, Ocean City Resort Gift Expo, Smoky Mountain Gift Show and Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show. As Gift for Life celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2022, the all-volunteer organization will continue to support programs that address hunger relief. Join us by donating at https://donate.wck.org/GFL30. Proceeds from Gift for Life fundraising go directly to World Central Kitchen and donations are tax deductible. AIDS Walk NY
Gift for Life has fielded a team for AIDS Walk NY every year since 2011, raising $250,000+ for beneficiary GMHC. Gift for Life’s partners for the 2021 walk – held virtually due to COVID concerns – were NY NOW and DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). Individual team members who commit to set individual goals to stroll, jog, sprint or step-out in their own way for the cause. To donate, or join the team, contact co-captains [email protected], or Caroline Kennedy at [email protected]. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gift For Life is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors who donate time, energy and resources to help unite the gift and home industries in a common cause. Ari Lowenstein, MarketTime
Cathy Steel, Steel Associates
Cole Daugherty, Dallas Market Center
Doug Self, JDouglas
Emalee Hoffman, Studio Oh
Frank Joens
Jessica Barile, Paddywax
Julie McCallum, Gift Shop Plus
Kim Wahlberg, Kimberly Wahlberg Company
Kimberly Baker, Webmaster, Great American Media Services
Kristi Forbes, 41 Madison
Lenise Willis, Gifts & Decorative Accessories
Matt Katzenson, Fine Lines
Meg Estevez, NY NOW
Monica Loving, Ivystone
Nancy Michael, International Housewares Association
Peter Schauben, Appelman Schauben
Russ Jones, Ivystone
Sarah Mount, Juniper by IMC
Sheila Charton, Springboard Futures
Gift for Life Honorary Chair
Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah Daily, is Gift for Life’s honorary chair and spokesperson through 2021. Adam Glassman has been Creative Director of O, The Oprah Magazine since 2000, overseeing O’s style pages, all aspects of the magazine’s cover shoots and the highly anticipated Oprah’s Favorite Things. Since 2007, Glassman has been fielding questions from O readers on a wide range of fashion topics for his monthly ‘Adam Says’ column and was a pioneer in using real women for fashion shoots in the magazine. Many hands make light work… We welcome volunteers who want to work with, and alongside, our board of directors. If you are interested in lending your time and talents to our fundraising efforts and industry outreach, please contact Ari Lowenstein, Gift for Life Vice Chair, at [email protected].
