Gift for Life's 20th Anniversary Party for Life Raises Record Funds

Press Release

Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries' sole charitable organization, announced today that its Party for Life event raised $208,000. The 20th Annual event was held on Sunday, January 29, at the Central Park Boathouse and welcomed hundreds of industry attendees.

“A generous industry truly delivered dramatic results as we combined fun with fundraising,” said Leslie Nathan-Street, Gift for Life chairperson. “To date we have raised nearly $5 million for HIV/AIDS research and assistance through the generous help of sponsors and party attendees. Thanks to everyone for helping make this event a huge success.”

The Party for Life featured delicious food stations, multiple bars, and a program honoring industry leaders with four awards: Jenny Hammons received the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award; Brandwise and its founders Todd and Jannetta Litzman received the Trailblazer Award; George Kacic received the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award; and John C. Portman, Jr. received the Legend for Life honor.

Guests competed for a wide array of prizes at a silent and live auction including jewelry, home décor, photography services, show tickets, sports events, vacation packages, market trips, marketing assistance, and much more.

Each year, Gift for Life hosts events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs. For additional information please visit www.giftforlife.org. Follow Gift for Life’s efforts via its free e-newsletter, available at http://www.giftforlife.org/about_gfl/press-releases-and-newsletters/.

For images from the event, follow these instructions:
Visit www.thephotogroup.com
Select Online Images
Enter gift4life
Click on Gift For Life folder – HONOREES or PARTY PHOTOS
Click on images to view
Click on download to open/save

Gift For Life and DIFFA Gratefully Acknowledge the Following Sponsors for the Generosity

CORPORATE SPONSOR One Kings Lane

PLATINUM SPONSOR ($15,000) NYIGF®

GOLD SPONSORS ($5,000) AmericasMart, Brandwise, Dallas Market Center, Eller Enterprises, Ganz, Will Little, Mainstreet Collection, World Market Center Las Vegas

SILVER SPONSORS ($2500) Anonymous, in honor of Peter Schauben, Louise Appelman, Evergreen Enterprises, Ganz, Gift SHOP Magazine, Ivystone/Homestyle, Kikkerland Design, Inc., MMPI, Mud Pie, S2 Resources, Workman Publishing Company

BRONZE SPONSORS ($1,000) 230 Fifth Avenue Market Center, 41 Madison, Appelman Schauben, Archipelago, Inc., Bungalow, cinda b USA, Creative Co-op, Inc., DCI, Michael & Debbie Dean, Design Ideas, Donald McEvoy LTD, Fine Lines Company, Formation Brands, Fringe Studio, Gift Box Corporation of America, Impulse!, J Grob & Associates, Jenny Hammons Company, George Kacic, Mary Liz Curtin & Stephen Scannell/Leon & Lulu, Millefiori Milano, OneCoast, Skainy/Willow, tag - Trade Associates Group, TECSYS Inc., Wendy Tonkin, Urban Expositions, Welcome Home Brands, Whereoware, Jack Withiam, Zodax

FRIENDS ($500) All for Color, Always Upward, Beatriz Ball, Tabitha Bowling & Alissa May, Crabtree & Evelyn, DHR & Company, Displayworks, Elegant Baby, Elly Preston Jewelry,Fred and Friends, Gift Sales Manager Association, Jeff Garb & Associates, Harman, Just Got To Have It, Caroline Kennedy, KNOCK KNOCK, Kris & Co., Lines by Alan Green, Make My Day, Mangiacotti, Maxfield & Oberton/Buckyballs, Michel Design Works Ltd., David Moses, NASA, Natural Life, Peterson Associates, Present Time, Right Angle Strategies, Jill & David Sands, Barry W. Segan, SnapRetail, Leslie & Bryan Street,Ted Products, The Center Stage Team,Tiger Trade, Trollbeads, UMBRA, Vera Bradley Designs,Wellspring, Woodstock Percussion, Inc.

OTHERS Sharon Hammond, Jeff & Claudia Little, Patricia A. Ryan, Travel Planners

ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE
Gift for Life, the gift, home décor and stationery industry’s volunteer group raising funds for AIDS assistance and research through DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, was founded in 1992. Since then, Gift for Life has raised nearly $5 million through special events, cause-related marketing, promotions, and from corporate and individual donations. For more information visit www.giftforlife.org

ABOUT DIFFA
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $38 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. The DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS Web site is available at www.diffa.org