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From Home Furnishing Business

Gift for Life Awards Announced

October 4, 2013  by in Industry, Special Events   

Gift for Life is the gift and home industries' charitable organization.

The Kurt S. Adler Inc. company is being honored with Gift for Life's Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award. Founded by Kurt S. Adler in 1946, the company has been a leading importer of holiday decorations for more than 60 years. Its lines include Steinbach and Hollywood Nutcrackers, Noble Gems and Polonaise blown-glass ornaments, Fabriché Santas, Snowfall lights and many more. With headquarters in New York City and showrooms around the country, Canada and Hong Kong, the business continues today to be run by Kurt Adler’s children--Howard, Clifford and Karen. Kurt Adler and the Santa’s World brand showcase talented designers and iconic licenses with products from some 200 factories in 15 countries.
 
“As a family business we have long recognized the need to help support community service and education programs,” said Cliff Adler, Kurt Adler Inc. co-president. “We appreciate the recognition from Gift for Life and their continuing efforts across the U.S.”
 
Clare Brett Smith, president emerita of Aid to Artisans, is receiving Gift for Life's Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award. Smith was a craft importer for 15 years before joining the nonprofit Aid to Artisans, where she served as president for more than 20 years and helped to create economic opportunities for low-income artisan groups around the world. Believing in "trade not aid," she brought Honduran cornhusk flower makers to Williams Sonoma's Pottery Barn in the 1980s; Peruvian ceramics to Jonathan Adler in the ’90s; and then items such as Salvadoran hammocks, Macedonian rugs, Haitian metal angels and more to homes in the United States and Europe. Today, as an independent crafts professional based in Farmington, Conn., Smith continues to be active in the industry, working with programs such as the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise, hosted by the Aspen Institute; and the HAND/EYE Fund and magazine.
 
“Economic opportunities go hand in hand with health care and education. These are the building blocks of successful communities around the world, which Gift for Life clearly recognizes,” said Smith. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of craftspeople and the larger creative business community.”
 
Norman Glassberg, founder of Trade Associates Group Ltd., is being honored posthumously with the Trailblazer Award, which in future years will be called the Norman Glassberg Trailblazer Award. Glassberg founded tag as a sales representative firm in the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1975, and today tag is recognized as one of the leading designers and distributors of quality giftware, tabletop, home décor items, furniture and seasonal accessories.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Glassberg was a noted philanthropist, who served dozens of local and national organizations, foundations, and public service groups. And he blazed an important trail in design and manufacturing standards that are responsible, sustainable and earth-friendly, through utilization of recycled and renewable materials. 

The company also practices ethical, fair trade policies and prioritizes manufacturing resources that preserve cultural traditions, encourage hand crafts, and provide a living wage to craftspeople and artisans.
 
“Norman was a true visionary and a best friend,” said Barbara Turf, former CEO of Crate & Barrel, in a statement issued by tag following his death. “His business timing was always impeccable. His work ethic was enviably consistent. Norman’s innovation and brilliance commanded employee and industry respect. He will be deeply missed.”
 
“The Adler organization, Clare Brett Smith, and Norman Glassberg represent visionary, passionate leadership within our industries,” said Stu Teller, chair of the Gift for Life board. “Their boundless energy to meet the needs of the industry has been matched by a generous spirit.”
 
Individual tickets for Gift for Life’s 22nd Annual Party for Life are $125, and sponsorships ranging from $500 through $25,000 are available. For details, contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org, 212.727.3100.