Aug 22, 2014

Susan Feldman, Beatriz Ball, John Grob to be Honored

Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ charitable organization, announced today that three industry leaders—Susan Feldman, Beatriz Ball, and John Grob—will be honored during Gift for Life’s 23rd Annual Party for Life, taking place Monday, February 2, 2015 in New York City.

Susan Feldman, co-founder and chief merchandising officer of One Kings Lane, is being honored with Gift for Life’s Norman Glassberg Trailblazer Award. Feldman was inspired to create One Kings Lane after moving from an apartment in New York to a house in Los Angeles and seeing a home goods industry waiting to be disrupted. The company officially launched in 2009 and today has more than 11 million members. Feldman oversees all buying and merchandising for One Kings Lane, including around-the-world searches for rare and exciting products. In just five years One Kings Lane has become a leading online shopping destination, providing access to unique products and inspiring its members to create their own uniquely stylish home.

“The global HIV/AIDS crisis continues to challenge companies, organizations and individuals to take action,” said Susan Feldman. “Thank you to Gift for Life for your continuing efforts to raise awareness and funds for critical service and education programs.”

Beatriz Ball, founder of the eponymous metalware company, is being honored with the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award. Ball was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Mexico after the Communist takeover of Fidel Castro. Very young, she forged a relationship with the traditional metal artisans working on the outskirts of Mexico City. This relationship led to the founding of Beatriz Ball Collection. She has lived in Europe, but New Orleans has been her home base for many years. Her two foundries, which she visits many times a year, still employ several generations of the artisans she first started working with. Today, her award-winning designs are featured in gift, jewelry and specialty stores throughout the United States.

“I have seen firsthand the power of helping individuals preserve a craft tradition while creating a steady income,” said Beatriz Ball. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of artisans and the larger creative business community.”

John Grob is the recipient of the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award. Grob is the founder of J. Grob Associates, which for more than three decades has served the eastern U.S. with an expanding portfolio of products including gifts, housewares, impulse items and specialty foods. After studying at the University of Wisconsin, he assumed management responsibilities of a family housewares distributing company following the untimely death of his father. Then, in 1979, he founded J. Grob Associates. Today, Grob is a member of the Gift & Home Trade Association and the National Alliance of Sales Agents and serves as president of the International Housewares Representatives Association.

“One of the most important values upheld by our industry is care,” said John Grob. “We care about business and we care about people. I have had the good fortune to receive caring support and to provide support for more than 30 years. In that spirit of care for others, I am honored to accept this award.”

“Our three honorees personify compassionate leadership across our industries,” said Stu Teller, chair of the Gift for Life board. “Their generous spirit and selfless support for others are what makes them worthy of recognition.”

Make plans now to attend Gift for Life’s 23rd Annual Party for Life, benefiting DIFFA, on Monday, February 2, 2015, at The Boathouse in New York City’s Central Park. Individual tickets are $125, and sponsorships ranging from $500 through $25,000 are available. For details, contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org, (212) 727-3100.

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 athttp://www.giftforlife.org/about_gfl/press-releases-and-newsletters/.

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