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Gift for Life, NY NOW Reteam for AIDS Walk New York
Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ longest-running, volunteer-led, national charitable organization, and NY NOW are once again fielding a team for AIDS Walk New York, the largest single-day AIDS fundraising event in the world, on Sunday, May 19, in New York’s Central Park. NY NOW has pledged to match the first $5,000 in donations raised by the team for the 2024 edition, with all proceeds benefitting GMHC’s HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy programs.
“In 2023, the Gift for Life/NY NOW team exceeded its fundraising goal by raising more than $50,000,” said Caroline Kennedy, Gift for Life/NY NOW team co-captain. “Our fundraising goal for 2024 is set at $40,000, and we are already well on our way with $15,000+ in donations. With the help of our colleagues, friends and families, we hope not only to reach but exceed last year’s results. The $5,000 donation match from NY NOW is an important and welcome impetus that helps us jump start our fundraising efforts.”
“AIDS Walk New York is exciting and fun, whether gathering in Central Park or virtually,” said Kelly Bristol, Gift for Life/NY NOW team co-captain. “Our team meets regularly to discuss fundraising strategies and progress towards our goal. We’re hoping that our 2023 team members all will continue, and we welcome new participants as well!”
Along with team co-captains, Bristol and Kennedy, current Team members include four members of NY NOW: Kristen Brady, Sandra Kehoe, Amy Loewenberg and Matt Mathiason; plus Kate Duff of Claxton Consulting; former team co-captain Su Hilty; Matt Katzenson of Fine Lines; Ari Lowenstein of Ari’s Pantry; Angela Schmook of Roadrunners Inc. and her family; Karalynn Sprouse of EmeraldX; and friends Bill McCue and Carl Walsh.
To join the Gift for Life/NY NOW Team, or to donate, visit https://gmhc.aidswalkny.org/GiftforLifeNYNOW24, or contact team co-captains, Caroline Kennedy at kebbiekcaroline@gmail.com, or Kelly Bristol at kelly.p.bristol@gmail.com.
Kim Mancuso-Telford, general manager of NY NOW and Gift for Life Board member, remarks, “NY NOW is excited to partner again with Gift for Life and jumpstart the Gift for Life/ NY NOW AIDS Walk team fundraising efforts with our $5,000 matching grant. We carry on this tradition of NY NOW’s support of this important event that helps so many. It’s an honor to be part of Gift for Life and contribute to its meaningful work, both locally and nationally.”
Now in its 39th year, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk and millions more to donate, raising nearly $155 million to combat HIV and AIDS. The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline that the GMHC provides for the thousands of individuals affected by the disease in the tri-state area. The proceeds also benefit dozens of other HIV/AIDS service organizations that are able to participate as teams and raise funds through the Community Partnership Program. For more information, visit About & Who Benefits – AIDS Walk New York 2024 (aidswalkny.org).
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Gift for Life’s Russ Jones Up for ARTS Honor
Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ sole national charitable organization, is holding a special fundraising campaign celebrating the nomination of GFL board member Russ Jones for his 2024 ARTS Award nomination in the Sales Representative East/Atlantic category. Donations, which benefit GFL beneficiary World Central Kitchen, are accepted at www.giftforlife.org/donate.
ARTS Award winners will be announced at a gala event on Friday, Jan. 12, during the Dallas Total Home and Gift Market. Tickets can be purchased at https://dallasmarketcenter.com/ArtsAwards/reservations/.
“This nomination is a testament to Russ’ ingenuity and passion for the industry he serves,” said Ari Lowenstein, Chair of Gift for Life. “We are so fortunate that he is a part of the GFL board and uses his many talents to benefit World Central Kitchen’s crisis-related hunger relief efforts and to raise funds for GMHC as a member of our Gift for Life AIDS Walk team. We wish him the best of luck in January!”
Russ joined Gift for Life in 2017 and in 2022 spearheaded the launch of Home vs Hunger, the first independently organized partnership between Gift for Life and leading members of the home industry. Since that time, this new home industry charitable initiative has raised nearly $40,000 for World Central Kitchen through events at High Point Market and ad hoc online fundraising.
“Being nominated for the 2024 ARTS Award is a profound honor. This nomination fuels my passion to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. I am truly touched by the recognition and excited for what the future holds,” said Jones. “Serving on the Gift For Life Board has been immensely fulfilling, especially in championing the Home vs Hunger initiative, which strives to combat crisis-related hunger through our collective efforts. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to World Central Kitchen’s vital mission and to support GMHC through Gift for Life’s AIDS Walk team.”
For the past 18 years, Jones has worked with Ivystone as a luxe home and hospitality sales representative, working with key accounts and retail stores along with hundreds of New York City design and architectural firms. Prior to Ivystone, Jones had a successful career in showbiz as a singer/dancer on Broadway and ran a gift store called Flights of Fancy for 10 years on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
The ARTS Awards is a peer-nominated program developed by the non-profit ART (Accessories Resource Team) and produced by Dallas Market Center. Submissions are independently reviewed and scored based on criteria established by the ARTS Awards committee, and hundreds of nominations are evaluated to determine the list of finalists.
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need.
By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. WCK knows that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis.
Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers, and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal.
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. In 2021, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on COVID-related hunger relief and has funded provision of nearly 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to communities impacted by crisis and conflict worldwide. The all-volunteer organization continues to support year-round programs that address hunger relief, as well as annual support for GMHC’s HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and advocacy programs.
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Hotel del Coronado Enters Final Phase of Restoration
The legendary Hotel del Coronado, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, has plans to restore and revitalize the hotel’s historic Victorian building with a more than $160 million investment, marking the next and final phase of Blackstone Real Estate’s more than $550 million development plan to preserve and enhance the National Historic Landmark property for the enjoyment of guests, visitors and the community alike. The upgrades will encompass all Victorian guestrooms, suites and event spaces such as the iconic Crown Room, with a targeted completion date of Spring 2025.
“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting and final journey of Blackstone’s investment in this one-of-a-kind resort,” said Harold Rapoza, managing director, Hotel del Coronado. “The Victorian building holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, and we are dedicated to preserving its historical significance while elevating the bespoke guest experience to new heights.”
Rob Harper, head of real estate asset management Americas at Blackstone added, “Since our more than $550 million investment plan began in 2018, we have worked diligently to preserve The Del as a National Historic Landmark while cementing the property’s status as an iconic and timeless destination for generations to come. We are immensely proud of the thoughtful work completed to date and look forward to partnering with the local teams to make this next phase of the project a reality.”
For more than 135 years, Hotel del Coronado has welcomed travelers from all over the world to experience the best of Southern California coastal lifestyle. The Victorian building is the original, iconic beachfront hotel established in 1888, and is renowned for evoking a bygone era, with a star-studded legacy and magic of nearly two centuries.
Led by Wimberly Interiors in partnership with WATG’s California architecture studio, the design for the Victorian building celebrates the legacy of the property, ensuring the public areas remain truly Victorian with original finishes remaining intact, but with contemporary design enhancements to bathrooms, furnishing, artwork and state-of-the-art technologies to elevate the level of comfort and luxury.
David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning is leading The Victorian guestroom redesign effort with the same vigor and attention to detail that awarded the firm a Preservation Project of The Year honor from the Save Our Heritage Organisation, as well as a Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation following their extensive and diligent reconstruction of the hotel’s front porch and lobby areas.
Beginning in 2018, Hotel del Coronado embarked on a renovation and development plan, facilitated by Blackstone Real Estate, to ensure the resort remains a sought-after destination.
- Ocean Concierge Club — A modern and refined take on the classic concierge club experience, housed in the renovated historic Windsor Cottage, which has been preserved with historic elements dating back to its original conception in 1905. Debuted this summer.
- Beach Village at The Del — An enclave of cottages and villas, which is set to unveil a full makeover by the end of 2023.
- Shore House at The Del — The newest neighborhood inclusive of 75 new residential-style accommodations on the south end of the resort, which debuted in 2022.
- Fitness Center — Expanded fitness center with a variety of equipment, certified trainers and a range of classes including Beach Spin, Yoga, Pilates, Paddleboard Yoga and more.
- Ice House Museum — Showcasing The Del’s history with behind-the-scenes moments and legendary guests.
- Shops at The Del — A completely new comprehensive retail experience with specialty shops and apparel.
- Victorian Building Entrance — A completely reimagined front drive—reorienting the guest arrival experience to restore it to mirror The Del’s original arrival experience at its grand Victorian Lobby.
- Vista Terrace — One of the hotel’s most popular outdoor event venues that can host up to 900 guests, which re-launched in 2019.
- Serẽa Coastal Cuisine — The sustainable sea-to-table restaurant concept debuted in 2019, with James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Leader Executive Chef JoJo at the helm.
- The Cabanas & The Views – Renovations of guestrooms in the Cabanas and Views neighborhoods, which added 97 and 217 rooms respectively
- Cabana Pool — New main pool, heated year-round, accompanied by shaded chaise lounges, umbrellas, Premium Cabanas and Cabanettes.
- Culinary Upgrades — Upgrades and re-concepting of multiple dining outlets including the Sun Deck, Babcock & Story Bar, and ENO Market & Pizzeria.
- Spa & Salon at The Del — Completely reimagined spa with ocean-inspired treatments that tap into the healing power of the sea.
During the reimagination of The Victorian, accommodations continue to be available in The Del’s other four neighborhoods: The Views, The Cabanas, Beach Village and Shore House. Exciting guest experiences will debut and The Del’s popular signature programming will continue.
For the latest information on The Del’s enhancements, or to book online, please visit hoteldel.com.
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Horm Adds Whimsey to Holiday
The magic of the holidays spreads and embraces Horm, a furniture company that, since 1989, knows how to embellish every place with essential and elegant aesthetics, but at the same time, with a great impact. To make your living space a bit more glamorous or for an even more sparkling gift idea, Horm and sister brand Casamania by HORM, offer two best-sellers in a limited edition, Twist and Chariot, dressed for this very occasion in red, the color that most reflects the spirit of Christmas.
Christmas songs are already playing in our homes, and we often find ourselves dancing around the living room while preparing the Christmas Eve feast. It could be said that Horm embodies this Christmas spirit through Twist, the red-painted wooden coat rack designed by the Burtscher & Bertolini duo. Thanks to its 8 beech slats that bend and twist on themselves, Twist almost seems to dance to the rhythm of the music with us. The clothing hung on the hooks embedded in the slats highlights the beautiful “wooden flower” that forms at the top of the furniture piece.
Adding Twist to your spaces will make every place more joyful. Besides creating a magical atmosphere, it combines aesthetic beauty with functionality: an original coat rack that will hang your guests’ coats and jackets.
For the Christmas Eve dinner, the menu dishes are more numerous than usual, and often there’s a lack of space to place plates and tableware.
The iconic Chariot by Casamania by HORM – designed by GamFratesi – will be an excellent ally: the movable table, now in a new scarlet finish, will transform into an extension of the kitchen’s workspace or an additional support surface. Comprising three simple elements joined together – wheels, trays, and structure – Chariot will help you serve a delightful Christmas appetizer at the table or become an alternative bar corner to recreate a convivial and relaxing space.
The wheels, which are typically small on common trolleys, are taken to extreme dimensions here, becoming the iconic element of the project. The rubber profile facilitates movement, and the metal structure also serves as a handle. By lifting the cart slightly upward, you can move it from one room to another in the house.
Since 1989, Horm combined linearity, elegance and art to create home environments that are always essential but with great aesthetic impact. Horm proposes a “contemporary design” where international influences coexist, reinterpreted by the culture, passion and craftsmanship of Made in Italy.
The brand’s creative philosophy is defined in its corporate vision: to decorate living spaces by creating emotions. Horm stands out for its ability to combine elegant lines and elements of amazement that turns spaces into an expression of those who live in them.
Horm’s sister brand Casamania offers seating and occasional furniture for hotels, bars, restaurants, common areas of buildings and homes. With Casamania, furniture goes beyond its simple function and become a protagonist capable of evoking memories, images, emotions and moods.
The collection is strongly oriented towards modern and contemporary Soft Contract trends and integrates perfectly into high-end furnishing projects where communal spaces for work and leisure are made to offer comfort and relax. It has an eclectic style, where everyday furniture is interpreted through cosmopolitan and avant-garde influences for an ironic and ‘pop’ design.
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Blain’s Farm & Fleet Opens Toyland
Blain’s Farm & Fleet opened Toyland on Oct. 14. This year’s theme, “Where Wishes Come True for Everyone,” promises an enchanting experience for shoppers of all ages.
“Toyland is not just an event. It’s a tradition that brings families together, embodying the holiday season’s joy and the spirit of giving,” says new Blain’s Farm & Fleet President, Mark Hasting. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this festive celebration and contribute to Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s commitment to spreading the holiday spirit.”
In the spirit of spreading joy and embodying the true essence of Christmas, Blain’s Farm & Fleet proudly continues the tradition of the Kids Helping Kids toy drive. When you donate a new, unwrapped toy at any of the 45 store locations, your gesture becomes a catalyst for goodwill. For each contribution, Blain’s Farm & Fleet will match it, effectively doubling the impact and striving toward a total contribution of $250,000.
Reflecting on the rich history of Toyland, which originated over 65 years ago as Bert and Claude Blain’s heartfelt desire to convey appreciation to friends and neighbors, this year’s Toyland is envisioned to be exceptionally memorable for both new and long-time friends, young and old. The aim is to embody the spirit of forging enduring connections while crafting enchantment for generations to come.
“It warms my heart to see families coming together to make a difference in our local communities through the Kids Helping Kids program,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson, owner and CEO. “Toyland is a celebration of joy, generosity, and the magic of the holiday season.”
Toyland runs until Dec. 24, providing ample time for shoppers to make their wishes come true.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet is a specialty retailer with 45 locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This Modern General Store remains steadfast in its commitment to offering customers high quality products, competitive prices, and reliable service.
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