Gift for Life Fundraiser at Vegas Market Raises $16K

August 13, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Community / Charitable Support, Designer Weekly, Industry   

A record crowd of home and gift industry representatives enjoyed a presentation by special guest Kathy Ireland and a silent auction of kathy ireland home products and Las Vegas-themed prizes.

“Las Vegas Market is proud to support Gift for Life in its mission to raise funds for the research, education and prevention of HIV/AIDS, and related health crises, through events like this one,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers. “We were delighted that Kathy Ireland agreed to headline the event and helped us to attract a record 500 supporters to our ninth annual fundraiser. In addition to her work in the home industry, Kathy serves as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. To date, Las Vegas Market has helped raise more than $115,000 for Gift for Life.”

During the event, an assortment of kathy ireland licensed home products were auctioned. Prizes included Bush Industries’ Office by kathy ireland set featuring Atria 60W writing desk with hutch, file cabinet, five-shelf bookcase and high back chair; Michael Amini’s armless chaise and channel back accent chair; Nourison’s desert skies rug and five pillows and safari dreams rug and five pillows; Pacific Coast Lighting’s moderne table lamp; and TK Classics’ outdoor furniture set.

Additionally, Connections Housing secured Las Vegas-themed hotel, restaurant and dining packages for auction. Prizes included a stay at an MGM Resort with complimentary tickets to any MGM Resorts International Cirque Show; a stay at the Stratosphere with complimentary admission to the Stratosphere Tower, rides on all three thrill rides and two free show tickets for MJ Live, The King of Pop and all the Hits!; a stay in the Plaza Hotel & Casino and a dining credit at Oscar’s Steakhouse; a stay in the Golden Nugget; a stay in the Cosmopolitan; and a stay at the Wynn/Encore, dining credit and two tickets to “Le Reve.”

“AIDS is not over. In the United States alone, there are 1.1 million people living with HIV and almost 40,000 new infections each year,” said Matthew Katzenson, Gift for Life chair. “We’re grateful to IMC and Las Vegas Market for their continued support in our fight against HIV/AIDS, and we’re proud that events like this one can help our beneficiary, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, grant much-needed funds to organizations providing HIV/AIDS service and education programs nationwide.”