March 6, 2017 — For the sixth consecutive year, Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ sole national charitable organization, has partnered with the National Stationery Show to participate in AIDS Walk New York, a charity fundraiser in New York City on Sunday, May 21 – the opening day of the Show. The Gift For Life/National Stationery Show team will recruit walkers to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS by participating in both the actual 10K course that starts and ends at Central Park as well as in a “virtual walk” through the aisles of the Show, which runs May 21-24, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Over the last five years of collaboration, the Gift for Life/NSS team has raised more than $115,000 for GMHC, the beneficiary of AIDS Walk New York. For the last three years, the team has been recognized with “GOLD Team” status, which is bestowed upon the top 20 fundraising teams from each year. Their total donations include a generous $5,000 matching grant from Gift For Life’s beneficiary, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. With DIFFA on board again with another $5,000 matching grant, the team has set a fundraising goal of $40,000 for 2017.
“We’re pleased to bring the Walk into the National Stationery Show and to involve exhibitors and attendees directly in our fundraising efforts again this year,” said Kelly P. Bristol, NSS Director. “Gift for Life was founded at the National Stationery Show, and I am extremely proud of our association with this wonderful group of industry colleagues and friends, as well as this important cause, which is close to my heart.”
Industry members and friends are invited to join the Gift For Life/National Stationery team as both walkers and/or as donors. The 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) AIDS Walk New York begins on Sunday, May 21, at 10amin Central Park, or at 9am at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center when the National Stationery Show opens its doors.
“For five years we have consistently – and in fact exponentially – increased the amount of money we have raised for this worthy cause,” said Su Hilty, Gift for Life/NSS team co-captain and honorary GFL Board member. “With the help of my co-captain, Caroline Kennedy, and the stationery industry’s support, we hope to meet our 2017 fundraising goal of $40,000!”
Now in its 32nd year, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk and millions more to donate, raising nearly $150 million to combat HIV and AIDS. The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline sustaining the prevention, care, and advocacy programs GMHC provides for the thousands of men, women, and families affected by the disease in the tri-state area. The proceeds also benefit dozens of other HIV/AIDS service organizations that are able to participate as teams and raise funds through the Community Partnership Program (CPP). For more information, visit www.aidswalk.net/newyork.
To join the Gift for Life/NSS team or to donate, visit https://ny.aidswalk.net/GFLNSS2017, or contact team co-captains, Su Hilty, at HiltyBrady@aol.com, or Caroline Kennedy at kebbiekcaroline@gmail.com.
ABOUT NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW
The National Stationery Show® is the only North American trade show for global buyers and sellers of specialty paper products – from greeting cards, custom invitations, announcements, gift wrap, calendars, and journals, to lifestyle gifts, such as candles, toys, personal care, travel gadgets and more. More than 10,000 total industry professionals come from 48 states and 77 countries to source product from the 800 exhibiting companies. Some 200 exhibitors stage their debut at each show, many in #fresh, a juried section of companies of 1-5 years in business. Another dedicated section of the show, The Supply Side, features exceptional production and finishing services for stationery and gift companies – including paper, converting, engraving, die-cutting, printing, packaging finishing etc. The Show is co-located with SURTEX, the premier event for sourcing original art and design, and ICFF. The NSS has been an integral part of the industry it serves for more than 70 years. For additional information and registration, visit www.nationalstationeryshow.com.
ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE and DIFFA
Gift for Life unites the gift and home industries against AIDS with more than $5 million raised since its inception in 1992. In 2008, Gift for Life selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S., as its sole charity partner. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $40 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org and at www.diffa.org.
ABOUT GMHC
GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported, and community-based organization which provides prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. GMHC advocates for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. For information, visit gmhc.org.
