The housewares industry came together to “Unite, Celebrate, Support” and raised $1.8 million during the Housewares Charity Foundation’s (HCF) 21st annual gala on Monday, March 12. Proceeds from the event, held at Chicago’s Navy Pier, benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity.
Since the first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $50 million and has been credited with donating more than $28 million to BCRF.
Held annually in conjunction with the International Home + Housewares Show, this year’s gala honored Shelley Salomon, vice president Home, Pets and Toys at Amazon with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award; Bill Dillard III, senior vice president, Dillard’s with the Humanitarian of the Year Award; and Georg J. Riedel, owner, Riedel with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2018 theme, “Unite, Celebrate, Support,” reflected the philosophy and mission of the HCF, which brings the housewares industry together to unite and promote its philanthropic image, raise fund for charities and celebrate the honorees who are selected for their humanitarian support and exceptional leadership.
The event, which was co-chaired by Phil Brandl, president & CEO of the International Housewares Association, and Herb Landsman, executive vice president of merchandising at TJX Companies, offered the nearly 1,000 attendees a cocktail reception featuring eight tasting stations hosted by James Beard Foundation chefs including Jimmy Bannos Jr., Rick Bayless, Abraham Conlon, Gale Gand, Sarah Grueneberg, Beverly Kim & Johnny Clark, Bruce Sherman and Lee Wolen. Dinner featured a three-course meal designed by Tony Mantuano, chef/partner, Spiaggia Restaurant.
The evening also included silent and live auctions, where guests bid on an extraordinary collection of relaxing get-aways, dinners, unparalleled culinary experiences, sports and entertainment happenings. Offerings included a trip to Anguilla, British West Indies; tickets to the James Beard Awards in Chicago; dinner at the James Beard House in New York; a private dinner at Fat Rice in Chicago with Herb Landsman of TJX Companies; a barbeque extravaganza with the Williams Sonoma executive team; and a private dinner with Shelley Salomon at Willmott’s Ghost in Seattle. The Cache for a Cause auction featured gift packages with 19 products valued at more than $4,000.
The 22nd HCF gala will be held March 4, 2019. Click here for more information about the Housewares Charity Foundation, its honorees and its charities.
