GFL WELCOMES NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP
Join the GFL Board in congratulating Sarah Mount, Emalee Hoffman and Amy Loewenberg in their new leadership roles with Gift for Life. Ari Lowenstein, GFL’s chair since 2022, steps into the role of Immediate Past Chair.
As SVP, Integrated Marketing for ANDMORE, Sarah Mount leads all marketing communications – including digital, creative, events, programming and content strategy – across its Markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas. Mount’s gift and home industry experience spans 17+ years, including 6 years as VP of Marketing at AmericasMart Atlanta, leading all strategy, branding and events for its markets and daily business. She was named as one of Gift Shop’s 40 under 40, Class of 2019. Mount joined the GFL Board in 2021 and was elected 1st Vice Chair in 2023.
Emalee Hoffman, First Vice Chair of GFL
Emalee Hoffman has 15 years of experience in the gift and home industry. Starting as a buyer in 2009, she spent almost a decade at Orange Circle Studio, the last three as VP of Sales. In January 2024, she took on the role of VP of Sales for CMA Gifts. Emalee is a member of GHTA and was recognized as its Chad Corzine Young Executive of the Year in 2023. She joined the GFL Board in 2021 and was elected 2nd Vice Chair in 2023.
Amy Loewenberg, Second Vice Chair of GFL
Amy Loewenberg is the Director of Buyer Relations for NY NOW at Emerald X, a leading Gift, Home, and Lifestyle B2B Market. Her 25+ years of experience in the industry span from leading successful teams and business development in the early 2000’s as a buyer for Kate’s Paperie, Blue Tulip and Housing Works. Now she is a leading partner in growing the market engagement at NY NOW through establishing and developing national and regional partnerships with key industry organizations and growing the retailer presence. Amy is also member of the GHTA and the GCA, playing supportive roles in both association committees. Amy joined the GFL Board in 2023.
In addition to welcoming new executive leadership, Gift for Life also bid a fond farewell to four retiring Board members: Maureen Carpenter of The Queen’s Jewels, Wes Hardin of Diverse Companies, Andrea Padilla of Transpac, and Crystal Vilkaitis of Crystal Media. New, incoming Board members will be announced in the coming weeks.
‘PARTY WITH A PURPOSE’ RETURNS TO HIGH POINT
Party with a Purpose” GFL’s Home vs. Hunger fundraising event returns to the Spring High Point Market on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 5:30pm – 8:00pm, at the Eichholtz Showroom with all proceeds benefitting World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) crisis-related hunger relief efforts. Eichholtz, the party’s host has already generously pledged $10,000 towards the event and J. Douglas has committed to donating a portion of all sales on April 14.
A $20 minimum donation is suggested. To RSVP for the 2024 event, email homevshunger@gmail.com by April 5, 2024. For those unable to make it to the event, donations will be accepted through April 30, 2024, at www.giftforlife.org/donate.
DOROTHY BELSHAW TO RECEIVE INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dorothy Belshaw, EVP, and Chief Growth Office for ANDMORE, will be recognized as Gift for Life’s 2024 Industry Achievement Award honoree during this year’s 73rd Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs), June 19, 2024, at the Union Station Grand Hall in Dallas, Texas.
I am truly honored to be recognized by this incredible organization founded by Peter Schauben in 1992 – the very same year I joined the gift industry,” said Belshaw. “Over the past 32 years, I have been amazed by the tenacity and dedication of Gift for Life’s leadership and by the widespread and whole-hearted commitment of this industry to help those in need and to do good.”
Since 1951, Gifts & Decorative Accessories has been celebrating the best of the best in seven niche categories as well as Manufacturer of the Year and Regional Sales Representative of the Year. Tickets to attend the 73rd Retailer Excellence Awards and celebrate Dorothy in person, are available at https://www.retailerexcellenceawards.com.
Donations can be made in Belshaw’s honor at www.giftforlife.org/donate.
2024 AIDS WALK NY
GFL takes to Central Park once again for AIDS Walk New York, Sunday May 19. The GFL/NY NOW team – currently at 12 members and still growing – has already raised $5,000, triggering NY NOW’s generous $5K matching pledge. “Our fundraising goal for 2024 is set at $40,000,” said Caroline Kennedy, Gift for Life/NY NOW team co-captain. “But with the help of our colleagues, friends and families, we hope not only to reach but exceed last year’s results of $50,000.”
AIDS Walk New York is the largest single-day AIDS fundraising event in the world, with all proceeds benefiting GMHC’s HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy programs.
To join the Gift for Life/NY NOW Team, or to donate, visit https://gmhc.aidswalkny.org/GiftforLifeNYNOW24, or contact team co-captains, Caroline Kennedy at kebbiekcaroline@gmail.com, or Kelly Bristol at kelly.p.bristol@gmail.com.
WCK BRINGS MUCH NEEDED AID TO GAZA
World Central Kitchen’s first maritime shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza set sail last week with almost two hundred tons of food. Once there, the desperately needed aid will be distributed in Gaza to communities on the brink of famine. WCK is working with the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and the international community to open maritime corridors and serve as many meals as possible to Palestinians in need. To read the full article or make a donation, please visit: https://wck.org/news/aid-boat-offloads-in-gaza