That’s right—we’ve got new digs, folks. The sofa cushions are fluffed, the railing polished, and the ice tea poured. C’mon in, and make yourselves at home.
As long as we’re sitting down for a chat…. Did you know that the gift, home, and stationery industries share one common cause? One non-profit focus? That’s right—Gift for Life. You see, over the years, too many of us have lost friends and peers to AIDS, and recognize that while the topic may not be in the headlines most days, it still lurks in the corners. It steals away talented souls with kind hearts. It robs us of those who have more life to live and more talent to give. [click to continue…]
I was raised to believe that giving is not a duty, it’s a privilege. It was a tremendous honor to be asked to join the GFL Board and to work with other leaders in my industry for a cause that is far reaching and will impact the lives of others in a positive way. My own experience about all the blessings I’ve had in my life is that the more I give away, the more comes back.
I have been touched by AIDS through the loss of several very special people to the disease, as well as having family members who are currently living with the disease. I know that the disease can be synonymous with heartache and pain, but can also walk hand in hand with great love and joy. I have seen AIDS bring out the worst in individuals and society, and I have also seen it bring out the best.
I have been very fortunate and believe that to whom much has been given, much is expected. I hope through my involvement on the GFL Board to make a difference.
Lorrie Veasey
Owner/Artist
Our Name Is Mud
I was at the first meeting of Gift for Life at the National Stationery Show in the early 1990s, but I am not a founding member. However, I did join the board early on as an editor on one of the gift trade magazines.
I was eager to get involved with Gift for Life for several reasons. First, I knew a few of the super-talented folks in our industry whom we had already lost to AIDS. Second, I had young children and wanted to work to ensure that a vaccine or cure might be found in their lifetime, so they would not have to worry about the threat of HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, I have remained on the board as a representative of the various trade magazines for which I’ve worked, as well as independently when I was between permanent positions. I enjoy the camraderie of the board members and, most important, the opportunity to help to raise funds to fight HIV/AIDS worldwide.
It’s an honor to be a board member of Gift for Life.
Kathy Krassner
Krassner Communications
I’ve been in the home furnishings business for most of my working career as a journalist and watched the early onslaught of AIDS and what it did to the creative heart and soul of the industry.
One always has noble intentions which are unfortunately often tempered by the realities of busy work schedules and being pulled in many directions by many people at many times.
So when I learned more about Gift for Life, it seemed like it was the right organization for me to get involved with. It was industry-centric, it was of a scale that was manageable given my available time and it was the chance to work with people in the business — some of whom I’ve known forever and some who are new to me — that I knew had the same values. That’s a pretty wonderful combination and I consider joining the board of Gift for Life one of the better things I’ve done in my life.
Warren Shoulberg
Editor-in-Chief
Home Furnishings New Magazine
For me, being asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Gift For Life was both a professional honor, and a deeply personal experience. Each hour I spend to help the board raise funds to combat and cure this horrible disease is an hour I spend remembering a dear friend lost or a dear friend given more time by medical breakthroughs discovered by research the board supports.
The people who serve on the Gift for Life board are industry leaders, with schedules overflowing with commitments. I am honored to work with a group so generous and so dedicated to this worthy cause. “Charity begins at home” it is said, and it is appropriate that a gift/home industry ravaged by the loss of so many talented colleagues should band together to help our own, and hopefully many, many others.
Debra Gold
Gold & Company
I was so delighted to be invited to the Board of Gift for Life.
My family and I were involved with Gift For Life from the beginning. My children who are now grown cut ribbons for all the donation boards. During the early days we collected $1 for each ribbon at the trade shows.
Today we are a much different organization but still having the same goal in mind. We are the industries’ only official fund raiser. With the partnership of DIFFA we are still raising money for the fight against AIDS. This is a cause that is very close to our industry as we have lost many talented people to this terrible disease. I am very proud of our industry and what we are trying to accomplish.
Stu Teller
Managing Partner
Right Angle Strategies
