Through three fundraising activities hosted at Casual Market Chicago in July, the International Casual Furnishings Association received donations totaling $25,500 for City of Hope, the association’s philanthropy partner. City of Hope is the renowned Duarte, CA-based research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
On opening day, most members responded to a promotional ICFA social media invitation to #PACKOURPINK with an abundance of pink clothing as the wardrobe color of the day. Intended to raise awareness of breast cancer, the group demonstrated support of today’s fighters, survivors and those remembered. Many attendees made contributions of more than $50 and received a pink stone bracelet or hot-pink pocket square as a gift.
During the first two days of the market, a team of volunteers distributed pink ribbons and literature at a station along the main showroom corridor at theMART. TUUCI provided a hot-pink, fringed umbrella to enhance the station. In addition, ICFA directed a significant portion of registration fees from its Retail Seminar and tickets for its Awards Gala to the City of Hope fundraising effort.
Among upcoming ICFA fundraising activities for City of Hope is the Walk for Hope to raise awareness of women’s’ cancers scheduled on November 6. Members are encouraged to join the ICFA Sunshine team – https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/WalkforHope2022ICFASunshineTeam – and conduct a “walk” near their business for company employees and friends.
Plans are also underway to salute Doug Sanicola, president of Outdoor Elegance in La Verne, CA, who will be an honoree at City of Hope’s West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament on June 12, 2023, at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club in Southern California. Non-golfers are invited to join the group for dinner and a silent auction.
