Gift for Life – the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ sole national charitable organization – is teaming-up with DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) and NY NOW to engage the gift, home, and design communities in the support of 2020 AIDS Walk New York. All proceeds raised by the Gift for Life/DIFFA/NY NOW team will benefit GMHC, the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy.
Originally scheduled for New York City’s Central Park on May 17, the 2020 edition of AIDS Walk New York will take place “Live at Home” on Sunday, June 7, due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. The virtual event will be presented as a live, interactive webcast, featuring celebrity guests, surprise performances, and a DJ-led dance party with the AIDS Walk community.
“This is our ninth year participating in this worthy event,” says Su Hilty, Gift for Life/DIFFA/NY NOW team co-captain and honorary GFL Board member. “Whatever the form, the Gift for Life/DIFFA/NY NOW team will participate in 2020 and raise funds for this important cause, born out of another health crisis nearly 40 years ago.”
The Gift for Life/DIFFA/NY NOW team invites all members of the teams’ respective industries to join the fight against HIV/AIDS from the safety of their own living rooms on Sunday, June 7. As in past, supporters can join the team – before or during the event – as “virtual walkers” allowing them to fundraise for the team without actually walking.
Over the last eight years, the Gift for Life team has raised more than $200,000 for GMHC, the beneficiary of AIDS Walk New York. For the last six years, the team has been recognized with “GOLD Team” status, which is bestowed each year upon the top 20 fundraising teams. The GFL team total donation includes a generous grant from Gift for Life’s beneficiary, DIFFA. With DIFFA on board again, the team has set a fundraising goal of $30,000 for 2020.
“NY NOW is pleased to partner with Gift for Life and DIFFA to participate in the AIDS Walk NY,” adds Tim Hart, SVP of NY NOW. “HIV/AIDS has had a deep effect on our industry, and it is an honor to join Gift for Life and DIFFA in continuing to raise the awareness. While great strides have been made, we still have a long way to go and are committed to doing our part.”
“DIFFA has supported the Gift for Life team’s fundraising efforts each year with a grant for GMHC,” notes Dawn Roberson, DIFFA Executive Director. “DIFFA is delighted to raise the profile of this worthy cause within the design community.”
Now in its 35th 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 sustaining the prevention, care, and advocacy programs 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 (CPP). For more information, visit ny.aidswalk.net/Who-Benefits
To join the Gift for Life/DIFFA team and fundraise, or to donate, visit https://ny.aidswalk.net/GiftforLifeDIFFA2020, or contact team co-captains, Su Hilty, at HiltyBrady@aol.com, or Caroline Kennedy at kebbiekcaroline@gmail.com.
