Jul 15, 2008

Gift for Life Selects DIFFA as Sole Charity Partner

Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced it has unanimously selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS as its sole charity partner.

After an extensive review of charitable partners, DIFFA was chosen based upon several factors including its strong leadership team, a pledge of long-term support of Gift for Life, and its close ties to the gift, stationery and home décor industries.

But primary to the partnership is a shared mission to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. and abroad. UNAIDS, the joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, reports a relatively steady number of new HIV infections each year in North America. Internationally, UNAIDS reports that in 2007 approximately 446,000 Asians/Pacific Islanders were newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number living with HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific to 4.9 million including the manufacturing centers ofChina and India. Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for research and assistance programs.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with DIFFA, the foundation of choice for the creative industries,” said Tabitha Bowling, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We not only share a similar mission but also many of the same partners, supporters and friends. The sum of this partnership is much greater than its parts. Together we will maximize our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.” ,p> DIFFA’s national office is located in New York City, and the organization has strong regional chapters in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, and Seattle. ,p> “We are honored to be a partner with Gift for Life,” said David Sheppard, DIFFA executive director. “This volunteer organization matches their business passion with a seventeen year legacy of service. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work side by side.”

Gift for Life is best know for its annual party held during the New York International Gift Fair, with the 17th annual event scheduled for Sunday, January 25, in New York City. Additional events held in locations around the country also support the charity.

ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE
Gift for Life, the gift and home decor industry’s volunteer group raising funds AIDS assistance and research, was founded in 1992. Since then, Gift for Life has raised nearly $4 million through special events, cause-related marketing, promotions, and from corporate and individual donations.

ABOUT DIFFA
DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk. Merging care and commerce, supporters of DIFFA come from all fields of fine design and the visual arts, including: architecture, fashion design, interior design, photography and consumer product design. With fundraising efforts bolstered by strategic partnerships and unique events showcasing innovation and creativity, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities and granted over $35 million to hundreds of AIDS service organizations nationwide. Since being founded in 1984 by Patricia Green and Larry Pond, DIFFA has granted funds to organizations which fight AIDS by providing: preventive education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection; treatment and direct-care services for people living with HIV/AIDS; and public policy initiatives which add resources to private sector efforts.