Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that its “Feed the Hungry – Feel the Good” fundraiser yielded nearly $50,000 for World Central Kitchen, an organization which distributes individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support during times of crisis.
The campaign, which ran in connection with this summer’s Atlanta Market (July 13-19), raised a total of $48,403 for World Central Kitchen. Individual donations ranged from $50 to $1000, with large gifts from J Douglas, Loloi Rugs, and Worlds Away, and a $10,000 matching grant from International Market Centers. “Nearly $50,000 translates to almost 5,000 meals and 30 restaurants supported,” Cole Daugherty, chair of the Gift for Life board, said. “We are grateful for the industry’s support of our first at-market fundraiser for World Central Kitchen, and hope that we can continue this momentum in August for campaigns connected with the Retailer Excellence Awards and Las Vegas Market.”
Through Gift for Life’s “Feed the Hungry – Feel the Good” campaign, participants qualified to win raffle prizes which featured nine unique prizes secured by IMC: five two-night hotel stays redeemable during the January 2022 Atlanta Market and another four hotel packages redeemable at any time, based on hotel availability. Donors of at least $50 were eligible for the raffle drawings.
Raffle Winners Included:
Stu Teller – Four Seasons Midtown (value $600)
Jen Dolan – Loews Midtown (value $450)
Randy Eller – Renaissance Midtown (value $450)
Caroline Kennedy – Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection (value $620)
Amir Loloi – Westin Peachtree Plaza (value $500)
Allison Sherill – Atlanta Marriott Marquis (2-night stay with complimentary valet parking)
Jess Remillard– Hilton Atlanta (2-night stay with dinner for 2 at Trader Vic’s)
Renee Marie Lee – Ritz Carlton (2-night weekend stay)
Scott Smith – Westin Peachtree Plaza (2-night stay with complimentary valet parking, internet, and breakfast for 2 in The Café)
Gift For Life’s next at-market “Feed the Hungry – Feel the Good” Fundraiser will take place during the Las Vegas Market (August 22-26) with IMC once again committing to match donations up to $10,000. Las Vegas Market raffle prize packages include two-night stays in four hotels, with dining credits and tickets to local attractions. Connections Housing, Las Vegas Market’s official travel partner, also has donated round-trip airfare for Las Vegas Market. Anyone can also donate online at: donate.wck.org/LasVegasMkt.
Gift for Life also has partnered with Gifts & Decorative Accessories to host a virtual campaign in connection with the 70th annual Retailer Excellence Awards (August 3). Anyone can donate online at: donate.wck.org/REA.
Atlanta Market is the industry’s premier gift, décor and lifestyle market. Held semi-annually at AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta Market attracts retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.AtlantaMarket.com.
Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 4,300+ furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. The next Las Vegas Market runs Aug. 22 – Aug. 26, 2021, at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com. Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben of Appleman Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. 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. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org.