Gift for Life Honors Doug Cofiell during REAs

Fundraising, which has raised $38,000+ for hunger relief, continues through summer markets

DALLAS, TX – June 20, 2025…. Ivystone CEO Doug Cofiell was honored with Gift for Life’s 2025 Industry Achievement Award during the 74th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards this week in Dallas, TX.  To date, some $38,355 has been donated to World Central Kitchen's crisis-related hunger relief efforts in Cofiell’s honor with fundraising continuing through the summer gift and home markets.

In his acceptance, Cofiell said, “It’s weird to get an individual award when it’s not about the individual, it’s about the people around you.”  He also commented on current economic stressors, saying, “Resilience is the word you think of when you think of the independent gift industry.”

(L-R) Peter Schauben, GFL Founder; Doug Cofiell, honoree; and Emalee Hoffman, GFL Chair

In honor of Cofiell, gift and home industry colleagues already have donated $38,000+ to World Central Kitchen – fundraising which will serve hot, healthy meals to in-need communities around the world.  The 130+ donors include a wide range of manufacturers, sales agencies retailers, media, market centers and industry suppliers. Donations will be accepted through the summer gift and home markets in Atlanta, Las Vegas and New York City.  To donate, visit www.giftforlife.org/donate. 

“This year feels especially meaningful to me personally,” said Gift for Life Chair Emalee Hoffman. “After spending the past few years working within one of the companies Doug leads, I can say with absolute certainty: he embodies the kind of leadership this award was created to honor.” 

Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award, which has been presented at Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards (REA) since 2009, recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry – whether as a thought leader, standard-bearer or overall industry influencer.  Past honorees include: Dorothy Belshaw of ANDMORE (2024); Todd and Jannetta Litzman of MarketTime (2023); Warren Shoulberg (2022); Patti Carpenter (2021); Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine (2020); Anna and Nathan Bond of Rifle Paper (2019); Mitch and Seth Nash of Blue Q (2018); The Beekman Boys (2017); Julie Chavez and Joe Cerbo of Chavez for Charity (2016); Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands (2015); Dave Thomas and Kevin Mundt of HomArt (2014); Gregg Corzine and David Klass of Archipelago (2013); Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan of UMBRA (2012); Michael Aram of Michael Aram (2011); Randi Eller of Eller Enterprises (2010); and Bobbie Gottlieb of Two's Company (2009).

Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers, and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations. In 2021, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on supporting World Central Kitchen’s COVID-related hunger relief. Since that time, Gift for Life has led gift and home industry efforts to fund provision of nearly 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to communities impacted by crisis and conflict worldwide. Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ longest-running, volunteer-led, national charitable organization, continues to support year-round programs that address hunger relief, as well as annual support for AIDS Walk NY which benefits GMHC’s HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and advocacy programs. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org. 

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. WCK knows that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at www.wck.org.