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Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced June 3 that the Gift For Life/National Stationery Show team raised more than $27,700 for men, women, and families who are living with HIV/AIDS. With a generous $5,000 matching grant from DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS), the team is just shy of its new $30,000 target, and donations will be accepted through June 12 at ny.aidswalk.net/gflnss2015.

This year marked the fourth consecutive cooperation of Gift for Life and the National Stationery Show to participate in the AIDS Walk NY, which takes place in New York City on Opening Day of the National Stationery Show. One small, but mighty team walked the 10K route through Central Park and the other conducted a “virtual walk” through the Javits Center aisles in support of Gay Mens’ Health Crisis (GMHC), beneficiary of AIDS Walk NY. Currently, the team is ranked 17th overall in team fundraising, and the 2015 AIDS Walk NY — which was the 30th annual event — has raised a collective $4.8 million for the cause.

“It was another great AIDS Walk NY fundraising year for the GFL/NSS team, and I am proud to be affiliated with the team and the industry,” said Su Hilty, team leader. “We had four Star Walkers with the GFL/NSS team in Central Park this year, and we got the royal treatment every step of the way. Here’s to next year and another stellar performance!”

More than $12,000 of the team’s total was raised by Gift for Life board member, Matt Katzenson owner of Fine Lines and team co-leader; and the team boasted an additional four “Star Walkers” who each raised more than $1,000 for the event: Marci Bracken of GIFT SHOP Magazine; Su Hilty, team leader and gift and home industry ambassador; Michelle Aguda of VIIIR; and Stu Teller, Gift for Life Board member and principle of Right Angle Strategies.