Gift Industry Answers Peter Schauben’s Call for Donations With Record $162,000

After a high-energy celebration and fundraiser in Dallas, the tally is in! Gift for Life has raised a record-breaking $162,000 to benefit World Central Kitchen, marking the largest single fundraising effort in the organization’s history. More donations are expected in the coming days and weeks.

The milestone was celebrated during the Retailer Excellence Awards, hosted by Gifts & Decorative Accessories on June 24 at the Hilton Anatole during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. During the event, Gift for Life honored founder Peter Schauben with its newly created Lifetime Humanitarian Award, recognizing his extraordinary leadership, vision and more than three decades of service to the gift and home industries.

Founded by Schauben in 1992, Gift for Life has united the gift, home and stationery industries in support of charitable causes for more than 30 years. Through his leadership, Gift for Life has become one of the industry’s most respected charitable organizations, inspiring generations of volunteers and supporters to make a difference. Donations made in his honor inspired unprecedented generosity from manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives, market centers, industry suppliers and friends of the organization, resulting in the largest fundraising total in Gift for Life’s history.

The celebration included Gift for Life’s 50/50 raffle, which raised almost $3,000 of the total raised. Winner Ann Marie Mendlow, president of WerkShoppe, generously donated her winnings back to Gift for Life, ensuring every dollar raised through the raffle will support World Central Kitchen‘s humanitarian relief efforts.

“There simply wouldn’t be a Gift for Life without Peter Schauben,” said Amy Loewenberg, c.hair of Gift for Life. “For more than three decades, Peter has inspired our industry to show up when people need help, creating a culture of compassion, generosity and community. It was our privilege to recognize his extraordinary legacy with a Lifetime Humanitarian Award while celebrating the most successful fundraising campaign in our organization’s history.

“We are grateful to Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine for providing the opportunity to celebrate Peter’s remarkable legacy during the Retailer Excellence Awards. We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed, donated and supported this effort. Together, we are helping World Central Kitchen provide hope and nourishment to people facing unimaginable challenges. While this evening celebrated an extraordinary legacy, it also reminds us that the work continues. We look forward to engaging the next generation of industry leaders, volunteers and supporters as Gift for Life continues its mission of service and community”

All funds raised through this campaign will benefit World Central Kitchen, which provides fresh meals to communities impacted by natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other emergencies around the world.