FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
Media Contact: Cole Daugherty, 214-760-2884 
Cathy Steel, 203-340-9251

November 28, 2018 - Gift for Life, the gift and home industries' sole charitable organization, has announced a new World AIDS Day partnership with Clarion UX – manager of the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, taking place December 2-5 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Chavez for Charity. 

On December 1 (World AIDS Day), the first 250 exhibitors picking up their badges during show setup will receive a free keepsake bracelet donated by Chavez for Charity. This first-time partnership with Clarion UX is designed to help raise awareness of Gift for Life among exhibitors who may not be familiar with the charity and its efforts to raise funds for treatment, prevention, advocacy and education connected with HIV/AIDS.

“As a long-time supporter of Gift For Life, we’re always happy to use our show platforms to help spread the word about this vitally important organization and its programs,” says Lisa Glosson, vice president, gift & souvenir, Clarion UX.  “Our Grand Strand Show offers the perfect opportunity to invite members of the souvenir/resort industry to learn more and get involved.” 
 
Chavez for Charity, donor of the bracelets, has been a long-time supporter of Gift for Life’s cause marketing program.  As of January 1, 2015, 25% of profits from the sales of Chavez for Charity’s Signature Collection red bracelets have supported Gift for Life.  To date, through the sale of these bracelets, Chavez for Charity has donated over $105,000 to Gift for Life, and its beneficiary DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, education and advocacy.

“The proximity of the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Expo to World AIDS Day gave us the inspiration for this new partnership,” said George Kacic, Gift for Life Chair. “It’s a unique way combine the support of Chavez for Charity and Clarion UX – two long-time Gift for Life supporters – to generate more industry awareness for Gift for Life and its mission.” 

Each year, Gift for Life hosts events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to raise funds and awareness to flight HIV/AIDS. With Gift for Life’s help, DIFFA granted $331,500 last year to 31 organizations providing HIV/AIDS service and education programs nationwide. For additional information please visit www.giftforlife.org.

ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE and DIFFA
Gift for Life unites the gift and home industries against AIDS with more than $5 million raised since its inception in 1992. In 2008, Gift for Life selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S., as its main charity partner. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $44 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. In 2017, DIFFA granted $331.500 to 31 organizations nationwide. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org and at www.diffa.org.

ABOUT CHAVEZ FOR CHARITY
Chavez for Charity was founded in early 2013 by jewelry designer Julie Marie Chavez and Joe Cerbo. Through the sale of a colorful assortment of jewelry & accessories, Chavez for Charity’s mission is to raise funds and awareness for charitable causes worldwide. Chavez for Charity donates 25% of profits from the sale of their products to organizations like, Gift for Life, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, and Pencils of Promise..

ABOUT GRAND STRAND GIFT & RESORT MERCHANDISE SHOW AND CLARION UX
Held annually at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show is the nation’s largest, longest-running coastal souvenir, resort gift show.  More information is available at www.grandstrandgiftshow.com . Founded in 1995, Urban Expositions, now operating as Clarion UX and owned by Clarion Events, produces and manages a portfolio of 36 trade and consumer events, serving a range of industry sectors including Gift, Souvenir, Apparel, Art, Auto, Fire and Rescue, Foodservice, Specialty Retail, Gaming, Power & Energy, and Enthusiast Lifestyle, with offices in Kennesaw, GA, Trumbull, CT, Portland, OR, and Boca Raton, FL. www.clarionux.com                                                                                               

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