May 31, 2019

Gift for Life/DIFFA team raises $30,000

Gift for Life, a gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, shared that the Gift For Life/DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) team raised more than $30,000 for men, women, and families who are living with HIV/AIDS.

This year marked the first time Gift for Life teamed-up with DIFFA to rally the design community’s support for the 2019 AIDS Walk New York. The Gift for Life/DIFFA team stepped out on Sunday, May 19, against the backdrop of NYCxDESIGN, the 13-day, city-wide celebration of design.

As of May 24, the team was ranked eighth overall in team fundraising, with a grand total of $30,158.  Donations to the team included a generous $5,000 matching grant from DIFFA.  Overall, the 2019 AIDS Walk New York has raised a collective $4,001,100+ for GMHC.  Additional donations will be accepted through June 7 at ny.aidswalk.net/GFLDIFFA2019.

“It was a really fabulous day to walk the 10k in Central Park. Nine of us walked and five of our team were the first group to cross the finish line. WE DID IT,” enthused Su Hilty, team co-leader.  “Caroline Kennedy, my team co-leader, and I are thrilled to continue being affiliated with such an energetic and enthusiastic team, and proud to represent the industry. We ask the industry to continue with post-event donations.  We met our goal and now we can go above and beyond.”

More than $21,000 of the team’s total was raised by the team’s six  “Star Walkers,” who each raised $1,000 or more.  The 2019 Star Walkers are Matt Katzenson, Gift for Life board vice chair; team co-leaders, Caroline Kennedy of PRESENT Magazine and Su Hilty, gift & home industry ambassador; John Stuttard, senior vice president/group show director at Emerald Expositions; Christina Stuttard, owner of Christina Stuttard Fitness; and Russ Jones of Ivystone.