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IFDA Educational Fundation Announces Walk for Design Education Partners

Furniture World Magazine

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The Educational Foundation of  IFDA reported that a roster of industry National Partners are lending financial support to the second “Walk for Design Education,” and that Walks have already begun at IFDA chapters across the country. International Furnishings & Design Association members, who pursue a broad spectrum of careers in the industry, are walking in museums, design and market centers, parks, and trails in support of this unique project.
 
Jeanne Matlock, IFDA/EF Chair commented, “We are pleased to have several Walk Partners from last year on board for 2010...it shows they believe in our goal of increasing EF support of students and young professionals who are the future of our industry. Thanks to the first Walk last year which raised over $32,000, the Educational Foundation has been able to increase several of our scholarship and grant amounts…but we want to do more because now the need is so great.”  IFDA/EF offers more scholarships and grants than any other association in the industry.
 
Signed on as National Partners for 2010 are: 3M Corporation; Benjamin Moore; Hunter Douglas; Market Square; E. J. Victor; Wood-Mode; and the International Home Furnishings Center. Each receives such benefits as: being featured in all Walk printed material--brochure and promotional signs; shown on the backs of shirts as well as eco-friendly totes given to each walker; will be included in all Walk news releases; highlighted in IFDA and Foundation web newsletter articles; logos posted with links from ifdaef.org to their company web sites; and be mentioned on Chapter Walk Days.
 
This year, each IFDA Chapter has the option of choosing a Walk date that fits their 2010 schedule. The first one is April 9 when the Philadelphia Chapter Walks through the Picasso exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Illinois Chapter Walks showrooms in the Chicago Merchandise Mart on May 25; the Texas Chapter Walks with their dogs in the Bird’s Fort Trail Park, in Irving Texas on May 15; the Carolinas Chapter Walks the streets of High Point spotlighting furniture and history on September 25; the Richmond Chapter plans to Walk in June and Georgia on September 25.
 
Other IFDA Chapters from coast to coast are making plans to “Walk for Design Education” to raise money in support of students, young professionals and worthy endeavors, including historic preservation, interior design programs and universal design, a field of growing importance as Baby Boomers age and need living spaces that meet their needs, whatever their physical capabilities.
 
Dr. Wilma Hammett, FIFDA, Director of Resources for the IFDA Educational Foundation, is chairman of the Walk. For information about IFDA/EF scholarships and grants, or to make a tax deductible donation, go to ifdaef.org/designwalk. The IFDA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.