Gift for Life and NY Now’s AIDS Walk New York team is assembling. Here’s how you can join, donate

NEW YORK – Gift for Life, a gift and home industry charitable organization, and tradeshow organizer NY Now are once again fielding a team for AIDS Walk New York, the largest single-day AIDS fundraising event in the world.

“This is the 40th year of AIDS Walk New York and the Gift for Life/NY Now team has again set a goal of raising a minimum of $40,000 in support of this important event,” said Caroline Kennedy, Gift for Life/NY Now team co-captain and Gifts & Decorative Accessories‘ former editor in chief. “With the reduction of government funding for many programs, the money that we raise is more important than ever to ensure the continued care and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS.”

Set for May 18 in New York’s Central Park, NY Now has once again pledged to match the first $5,000 in donations raised by the team for the 2025 edition, Sunday, May 18, in New York’s Central Park. NY NOW again has pledged to match the first $5,000 in donations raised by the team for the 2025 edition, with all proceeds benefitting GMHC’s HIV and AIDS prevention, care and advocacy programs.

“NY Now is thrilled to once again join forces with Gift for Life, proudly kickstarting the fundraising efforts for the Gift for Life/NY Now AIDS Walk team with a $5,000 matching donation,” said Matthew Mathiasen, NY Now’s event director. “This partnership continues NY Now’s long-standing commitment to support this vital event, which positively impacts so many lives. We are truly honored to contribute to the meaningful work of Gift for Life, both within our local communities and across the nation.”

To join the Gift for Life/NY Now Team or donate, visit the team’s GMHC fundraising profile online or contact the team’s co-captains by email at kebbiekcaroline@gmail.com and kelly.p.bristol@gmail.com.

“AIDS Walk New York is exciting and fun, whether gathering in Central Park or virtually, and we encourage others to join our team and help in our fundraising effort,” added Kelly Bristol, Gift for Life/NY Now team co-captain.

Along with team co-captains Kennedy and Bristol, current team members include NY Now’s Amy Loewenberg and Mathiason; Matt Katzenson of Fine Lines; and friends Sally Fisher and Bill McCue.

“Supporting HIV/AIDS research has been a cause close to my heart for years, and I was incredibly happy to align NY Now in these efforts,” said Loewenberg. “HIV/AIDS research was the foundation on which Gift for Life was built, and now as a Gift for Life board member, this work holds even deeper meaning.”

Now in its 40th year, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk and millions more to donate, raising nearly $170 million to combat HIV and AIDS over the years and provide support for the thousands of individuals affected by the disease in the New York tri-state area.