Delivering Good, a charity that has donated more than $2 billion in new clothing and home essentials since its foundation in 1985, aims to raise another $2 million when it hosts its annual gala on Nov. 4. This year, the charity will host a virtual edition of the gala and provide donated items to millions of families and individuals around the world who have been directly impacted by natural disasters, Covid-19, homelessness and other challenges.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Delivering Good, while the 2020 gala theme, “Coming Together to Create a More Equitable World,” emphasizes the importance of donating to disaster and poverty relief, a particularly timely message given the ongoing global pandemic and other recent traumatic events.
Due to health and safety concerns related to the Covid-19 crisis, the organization decided to share this year’s gala via livestreamed video and sell virtual tables for the event.
The gala event will be streamed from the Empire State Building and will be emceed by Ken Downing, chief creative officer of shopping center development conglomerate Triple Five Group, along with special guest Whoopi Goldberg. The evening will feature a mix of industry awards, talks with leading philanthropists from the fashion world and musical performances from yet-to-be-announced special guests.
Delivering Good is combining its annual gala and Women of Inspiration luncheon into a single event this year, honoring some of fashion and home’s leading figures.
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Fintech company and installment payments platform Klarna is presenting former Macy’s CEO and executive chairman Terry J. Lundgren with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Women of Inspiration Award will be given to Angela Chan, managing director and president of Chargeurs*PCC Fashion Technologies, and Amanda and Karen Zuckerman, co-founders of dorm and apartment décor retailer Dormify.
Designer Michael Kors is being honored with the Delivering Good Vanguard Award, which is given each year to an individual who has combined his or her passion for business with a passion for philanthropy. Kors’ namesake company has donated $35 million in products to Delivering Good this year to distribute to people in need.
And American Eagle Outfitters will be recognized with the Delivering Good Impact Award, which rewards a brand, company or group of companies that have united around a particular campaign of giving.
American Eagle Outfitters will be honored for its Holiday 2019 purpose marketing program with Delivering Good, which was the charity’s most successful campaign to date with consumers and associates raising $1.5 million to support homeless youth and disadvantaged young adults.
Delivering Good says that both this year and into 2021, the program will make a significant impact in key U.S. markets where high numbers of youth and young adults are affected by homelessness.
“In these extraordinary times, it’s more important than ever that our entire industry come together to help those in need,” said Andrea Weiss, board chair of Delivering Good. “All of the honorees we are recognizing this year are dedicated to giving back and we are proud to acknowledge their efforts and contributions as we share this celebration virtually with our guests via our telecast.”
The Delivering Good Annual Gala event will include a streamed auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences led by Lydia Fenet, global managing director, strategic partnerships and lead benefit auctioneer at Christie’s Auction House.
Delivering Good works toward a more equitable world in which children, adults and families facing economic, medical, social, and environmental challenges have the items that they need and value, including clothing, home goods, toys, furniture, shoes, books and other consumer products, to overcome adversity and help reach their full potential. Leading apparel brands such as Ascena Retail Group, Banana Republic, Burlington, The Children’s Place, Ralph Lauren and Tailored Brands have donated products to causes led by Delivering Good.
Edward Hertzman, president and founder of Sourcing Journal, serves on the charity’s board of directors.
The organization started as Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) in 1985, providing disaster and poverty relief with new products and apparel for children. In 2014, the non-profit organization merged with Fashion Delivers, another charity that provided donations of adult apparel and home items for disaster and poverty relief, to form Delivering Good.