June 13, 2018—Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ sole charitable organization, is collaborating with Progressive Business Media (PBM) and its Gifts and Decorative Accessories brand to launch its first-ever “text-to-give” campaign in connection with the 2018 Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs). Donations, which are being accepted now through the event on Sunday, August 12, at New York City’s Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, will directly benefit JBT Foundation (Just Been Tested), an organization using social media and innovative technology to promote HIV/AIDS testing and awareness.
To donate, simply text the code “4LIFE” to 1-844-544-7171. A text reply will provide a secure link where donations can be made. Suggested donations, and initiatives funded at each level are: $40 for one HIV testing kit; $60 for round-trip transportation for HIV positives seeking care/counseling; $80 for two HIV testing kits; $150 for room rental for college outreach sessions; and $205 for one hour of urban outreach. A credit card is required and donations by check and cash will not be accepted.
“We were delighted that Progressive Business Media suggested this new way to raise awareness and funds for Gift for Life,” said George Kacic, chair of the Gift for Life board. “It’s a 21st century fundraising technology that offers a quick and easy way for our industry to support important HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment services.”
Everyone associated with the gift and home furnishings industry—including retailers, retail buying groups, product manufacturers, product designers, sales organizations, market producers, trade publications and service providers—are eligible to participate and encouraged to contribute. During the REAs, there will be an explanation and special appeal for the text-to-donate campaign.
“This is a worthy cause and our way of asking the industry to easily participate with us to raise money and awareness,” said Matt Slaine, CEO of Progressive Business Media. “We are proud to pilot this program at the REAs and hope that the industry will join us with supporting Gift for Life at the Retailer Excellence Awards on August 12th in New York City.”
Gift for Life will present its 2018 Industry Achievement Award to Blue Q founders Seth and Mitch Nash at the 67th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs), on Sunday, August 12, at New York City’s Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. Hosted by Gifts and Decorative Accessories, the Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in retailing and individual achievement. During this festive industry gathering, REA 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 http://rea.pbmconferences.com/.
Each year, Gift for Life hosts events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. With Gift for Life’s help, in 2017 DIFFA granted more than $331,000 to 31 organizations providing HIV/AIDS service and education programs nationwide. For additional information please visit www.giftforlife.org. Follow Gift for Life’s efforts via its free e-newsletter, available at http://www.giftforlife.org/about_gfl/press-releases-and-newsletters/.
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 main 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. In 2017, DIFFA granted $331,000 to 31 organizations nationwide. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org and at www.diffa.org.
ABOUT JBT FOUNDATION: Since 2015, JBT’s mission has been to engage the community via innovative technology to become proactive participants in their preventive health. This is accomplished through a three-tier approach of 1) Education 2) Mobile Technology 3) Linkage and Referral to Services. JBT created the first online platform to register screened individuals while collecting sexual health and lifestyle assessments in under 5 minutes.
ABOUT REAs: On August 12, 2018, Gifts and Decorative Accessories will host the 67th annual Retail Excellence Awards in a gala event in New York City. Retailers will be honored in seven categories, and awards will be also be given to the vendor and manufacturer’s rep of the year. Join us for cocktails, strolling dinner, dessert and ceremony at the beautiful waterfront Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit Gift for Life. For tickets, visit http://rea.pbmconferences.com/
Progressive Business Media, (PBM), is the premier business marketing services, media, and communications company serving the home furnishings industry. It is the parent company of brands including Furniture Today, Home Accents Today, and Gifts and Decorative Accessories. PBM’s brands deliver content and research through multiple channels and formats and provide wide ranging marketing services offerings to industry participants. The company prides itself on being part of the various business communities it serves: bringing people together to discuss issues of the day and to deliver meaningful content to the right audience, through the right channel, at the right time. To learn more, please visit www.progressivebusinessmedia.com.
Gifts and Decorative Accessories is the gift industry’s leading trade resource. Established in 1917, the brand just celebrated 100 years of excellence. The brand delivers the latest news, products, trend information and business insights for retailers, manufacturers and others supporting this dynamic industry. Please visit http://www.giftsanddec.com.
