Richard Baker, governor and executive chairman of Hudson’s Bay Co., and Brian Kelley, president and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain Inc., will be honored by the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) during its 18th annual Housewares Charity Foundation Gala.
Baker and Kelley will receive Humanitarian of the Year awards during the gala, which will take place the evening of March 9 during the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, and Save the Children.
Since the first gala in 1998, the HCF has raised more than $27 million and has been credited with donating $21 million to BCRF. For the last five years, the HCF has raised record amounts of more than $2 million each year.
Co-chairs for the 2015 event are Phil Brandl, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association; and Ken O’Brien, senior vice president, merchandising, QVC Inc. In a collaborative effort among industry manufacturers, retailers and allied industry partners, the nonprofit HCF hosts this annual event to raise funds for critical causes, unite the housewares industry and honor its leaders. Honorees are selected for their humanitarian efforts and exceptional leadership.
Along with the honoree tributes, the evening includes auctions and entertainment. The gala will begin with a cocktail reception featuring 10 tasting stations hosted by Chicago-based James Beard Foundation chefs, including Paul Kahan, Blackbird; Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig; Rick Bayless, Frontera; Rohini Dey, Vermilion; John Hogan, River Roast; Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat; Thomas Lents, Sixteen Restaurant; Mindy Segal, HotChocolate; Bruce Sherman, North Pond; and Takashi Yagihashi, Slurping Turtle. Dinner will feature a three-course meal designed by Tony Mantuano, chef/partner, Spiaggia Restaurant & Lounge.
