Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ charitable organization, will benefit from the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA) auction held during the organization’s yearly Bridgeway Collaborative Conference, November 10 to 12, in Austin, Texas. Gift for Life raises funds supporting HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and education.
“We are delighted to be partnering again with GHTA and their Bridgeway Collaborative partners to support our industry’s sole national charity,” said Frank Joens, chair of the Gift for Life board. “While medical evolution in the treatment of HIV is keeping people alive, we have already lost 15,000 people in 2015 to HIV-related deaths, and youths age 13 to 20 account for 26 percent of new HIV infections. Until a cure is found, Gift for Life will continue to raise monies to reignite awareness, to educate and to bring about consciousness among our industry.”
The auction will take place during a November 11 evening event featuring dinner and live entertainment for more than 250 conference guests. A special tequila tasting, hosted by Appelman & Schauben during the winter 2016 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, will be auctioned off, and some of the proceeds from the sale will benefit Gift for Life. Shares Robert Ricciardi, president of GHTA: “The GHTA has been a longtime partner with Gift for Life, and we look forward to continuing our support by giving them a portion of proceeds from this conference auction item.”