May 30, 2017 — 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 $28,000 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 $40,000 goal, will be accepted through June 16 at https://ny.aidswalk.net/GFLNSS2017.
This year marked the sixth consecutive cooperation of Gift for Life and the National Stationery Show to participate in the AIDS Walk NY, which takes place in New York City on Opening Day of the National Stationery Show. As of May 19, the team is ranked 11th overall in team fundraising, and the 2017 AIDS Walk NY – which was the 32nd annual event – has raised a collective $4,580,000+ for GMHC.
”It was the most magnificent day to walk the 10k in Central Park, and the seven 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 the last 30% of our $40,000 goal with post-event donations.”
More than $20,000 of the team’s total was raised by the team’s four “Star Walkers,” Matt Katzenson owner of Fine Lines, Frank Joens of the LA Mart and team co-leaders, Su Hilty and Caroline Kennedy of PRESENT magazine.
Photos available via Dropbox at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0l8gs00mwwillh8/AACALtK7WxCka8Y4mHt6qG1Ca?dl=0
Photo Caption: Gift For Life/National Stationery Show AIDS Walk NY 2017 Central Park team (L-R): Caroline “Keb” Kennedy, Team Co-Leader and Co-Founder of PRESENT Magazine; Francesca Banci of Ameriprise Financial Services; George Kacic, Executive Vice President responsible for retail services operations at AmericasMart and Gift for Life Board Chair; Matt Katzenson, owner of Fine Lines and Gift for Life Board Vice Chair; Su Hilty, Team Co-Leader and gift and home industry ambassador; Jake Turbow, Assistant Vice President of Mesirow Financial; and Elizabeth Martin, Executive Assistant and Operations Assistant at Greentech Capital Advisors.
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.
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