Gift for Life Honors Dorothy Belshaw during REAs

ANDMORE President Dorothy Belshaw was honored with Gift for Life’s 2024 Industry Achievement Award during the 73rd Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, June 19, 2024, in Dallas, TX.

This coveted accolade recognized Belshaw's exceptional contributions to the gift and home industry over her more than 30-year career. In connection with the award, more than $34,000 has been donated in Belshaw’s honor to World Central Kitchen's global hunger relief efforts.

“What a wonderful night! We were delighted to recognize Dorothy’s achievement to the industry and appreciate her efforts to raise funds for World Central Kitchen,” said Gift for Life Chair Sarah Mount.

In honor of Belshaw, gift and home industry colleagues have donated more than $34,000 to World Central Kitchen — fundraising which will serve more than 11,000 healthy meals to in-need communities around the world.

Among the 70+ donors, nine contributed $1,000 or more: ANDMORE ($5,000); Gourmet Catalog/Janis Johnson ($3,000); Two’s Company ($2,222); Be Home/Jonathan Hankar, Fern Expo, Connections Housing/Robert Colvin, Bob Maricich, Schauben & Co/Peter Schauben, and Cathy and Alan Steel. Donations will be accepted through June 30, at www.giftforlife.org/donate.

In her acceptance, Belshaw said, “The Oxford Dictionary defines achievement as something done successfully — typically by effort, courage or skill.  But I also believe that without the right circumstances, no amount of hard work, risk-taking, or know-how could have brought me to this moment.”

She also thanked customers for supporting her over the years, saying, “You patiently helped me learn this business and then taught me that YOUR business is MY business. You bravely stepped up for all the crazy moves, restacks, mergers, and launches. You gave me credit when things went well and grace when they didn’t. You have weathered countless storms, recessions, trends, fads, pandemics, and disruptors with trademark entrepreneurial spirit, grit and humanity. You have pushed me to do better and be better, and you have always managed to tell me what I most need to hear when I most need to hear it.”

Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award, which has been presented at Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards (REA) since 2009, recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry — whether as a thought leader, standard-bearer or overall industry influencer.

Past honorees include: Todd and Jannetta Litzman of MarketTime (2023); Warren Shoulberg (2022); Patti Carpenter (2021); Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine (2020); Anna and Nathan Bond of Rifle Paper (2019); Mitch and Seth Nash of Blue Q (2018); The Beekman Boys (2017); Julie Chavez and Joe Cerbo of Chavez for Charity (2016); Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands (2015); Dave Thomas and Kevin Mundt of HomArt (2014); Gregg Corzine and David Klass of Archipelago (2013); Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan of UMBRA (2012); Michael Aram of Michael Aram (2011); Randi Eller of Eller Enterprises (2010); and Bobbie Gottlieb of Two's Company (2009).