May 25, 2018 — Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that the Gift For Life/National Stationery Show team raised more than $27,000 for men, women, and families who are living with HIV/AIDS, including a generous $5,000 grant from DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS). Additional donations, which will help the team meet its $30,000 goal, will be accepted through June 27 at ny.aidswalk.net/GFLNSS2018.
This year marked the seventh consecutive cooperation of Gift for Life and the National Stationery Show to participate in the AIDS Walk NY, which took place in New York City on Opening Day of the National Stationery Show. As of May 23, the team was ranked 14th overall in team fundraising, and the 2018 AIDS Walk NY – which was the 33rd annual event – has raised a collective $4,416,000+ for GMHC.
”It was the most magnificent day to walk the 10k in Central Park, and the eight of us DID IT!” enthused Su Hilty, team co-leader. “Caroline Kennedy, my team co-leader, and I are thrilled to continue being affiliated with the team and the industry, and we are asking the industry to help us reach our $30,000 goal with post-event donations.”
Nearly $20,000 of the team’s total was raised by the team’s six “Star Walkers,” who each raised $1,000 or more. 2018 Star Walkers are Gift for Life board vice chair Matt Katzenson of Fine Lines, team co-leaders, Caroline Kennedy of PRESENT Magazine and Su Hilty, gift & home industry ambassador; Frank Joens of the LA Mart; Russ Jones of Ivystone; and Deb Swisher of Bloomingville.
Photo Caption: Gift For Life/National Stationery Show 2018 AIDS Walk NY team (L-R): Sue Gallimore of Ganz; Caroline “Keb” Kennedy, Team Co-Leader and Co-Founder of PRESENT Magazine; Su Hilty, Team Co-Leader and gift and home industry ambassador; Matt Katzenson, owner of Fine Lines and Gift for Life Board Vice Chair; George Kacic, Executive Vice President responsible for retail services operations at AmericasMart and Gift for Life Board Chair; Russ Jones, team leader for IvystoneLuxe; Sally Fisher of Circle Glass; and Byron Cordero of Andrew Joseph PR.
Photo available via Dropbox at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vflukv5saw4gw5t/2018%20AIDS%20Walk%20team%20photo.jpg?dl=0.
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. In 2017, with Gift for Life’s help, DIFFA granted $331.500 to 31 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.
