Happy 20th Birthday Gold Leaf!

May 19, 2014

Can it really be 20 years?  Although it seems like only yesterday, when we stop to look back, it is incredible to see all that we have accomplished.  Thank you to all of our friends and family, clients and customers, supporters and fans, staff past and present.  Our journey has been long (and often hard), but worth every minute.  Having you on this journey has made it possible and worthwhile.  Thanks.

We have had the opportunity to travel the globe, provide opportunities for individuals and communities, connect people to the natural world, remind us that in this fast-paced life, enhancing our environment adds an immeasurable quality to our daily lives.  Through our products, designs, and business practices, we strive to have a positive impact on the lives touched by Gold Leaf Design Group.

There are so many days walking into work, that Allan and I are in awe of all that has been accomplished.  Seeing employees that have been with us through thick and thin for 10 years, 15 years, 17 years.  Or our crew that has been with us over the last couple of years, propelling us out of the economic downturn ensuring a solid and strong future.  Or our clients, many that have been with us since the early days, sharing in our accomplishments and rooting for us along the way.  We are truly humbled by your encouragement and commitment to our success.  We do not take any of this for granted.  We are here today because of you, our Gold Leaf community. 

Thank you for an incredible, awe-inspiring, outrageous, unpredictable, lively, fun, stressful, exciting, hard, creative and unimaginable 20 years!  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! And, here's to 20 more!

Darren

Congratulations to our Marathoners!

Darren and Jose both completed (yet another) Chicago Marathon this past weekend. It was a lovely day for a run (or for watching a run...there was a Gold Leaf contingent out there to cheer them on). We are proud of them both.

Help Darren support Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)

And now...we turn the bully pulpit over to Darren for a short word....

Many of you know that I am a runner, and that I am a marathon runner.  This year I am training to run my 9^th Chicago Marathon.  Running a marathon truly is an amazing feat of physical and emotional endurance.  It is a transformational experience.  Completing the 26.2 mile race pushes you past what seems humanly possible and has you view life differently.  The positive impact is felt throughout our business and relationships.

This year I have dedicated my Chicago Marathon to a local AIDS services organization.  I am running to raise money for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN).  TPAN provides education and outreach, HIV testing, support, counseling and advocacy for people at risk or living with HIV/AIDS in the Chicago area.  For over 25 years they have been providing these services on a truly grass roots level. 

This will be my second year running to support TPAN.  I have chosen this organization, not only for the great work they do, but because of how they do it.  Every dollar raised through our fundraising goes directly to providing services.  Last year a small group of runners raised enough money to purchase a mobile testing unit to travel to the most underserved areas of Chicago.  It was incredible to be a part of an effort that produced a very tangible result.

This year I am committed to raise half of what is needed to operate this unit for the first year.  I am committed to raising $8,300.00.  This is a huge goal, and I hope that you will consider making a donation.  I know that the majority of you are not in Chicago and will not feel the direct impact of TPAN’s services.  Supporting TPAN supports the promise of what is possible for not for profit agencies everywhere.  In a time when many organizations are cutting services, TPAN continues to broaden its scope and breadth of programs.  This is largely due to their direct fundraising model and grass roots efforts.

Making a donation...

Thanks to those who have already donated!  If you haven’t, please visit my web page and consider making a donation.  I truly appreciate it.

Setting up shop in Atlanta

Our exhibition space has been designed. Our products for showing selected. Everything has been boxed up and shipped. Now we are busy unpacking, assembling, and getting ready to receive you all. It is AmericasMart Atlanta! From July 12 – 16th, you can find us in High Design 1st floor, Building 2W, Booth 115. Come by to see our latest products, talk to us about custom projects, and find special tradeshow floor only specials. We hope to see you there!

But if not...you'll have another chance at the end of July in Las Vegas...or in mid-August in New York as we take our show on the road. See our tradeshow schedule for more details.

Chicago Marathon 2012

We did it!

 

Darren with an incredible finish time of 3 hours and 49 minutes and Jose with a respectable time of 3 hours and 43 minutes.  

Ambition, dedication, and running for a purpose are only a few words that describe this year's journey toward the marathon. The marathon is doing almost the impossible, possible. During the training, the mind is trained to think beyond its physical capabilities and achieving with endurance. This concept is parallel to our designs.

Here at Gold Leaf, we create the possibility of uniqueness and appreciation to the beauties of the world.We challenge our network of family, friends, colleagues, and customers to get out and do the impossible.

 

Come along for a ride with Gold Leaf and see for yourself how creativity comes naturally!

Doing Good!

Jose and I will be running the Chicago Marathon again this year.  This will be our fourth year, and we are both running to raise money for charity.  If you have followed our blog in the past, you may recall that health and fitness play an important role in our organization.  In addition to Jose and me, we have other runners on staff.  Many are dedicated to their sports, yoga and fitness routines.  Numerous people bike to work, and we support each other in eating and living healthy!  Now we are expanding that commitment to make a difference to those around us.

We Appreciate Your support

Please consider supporting us as we work to enhance our community.
I am participating in "Run for AIDS Chicago"  This is a grass roots fundraising effort.  100% of all donations go directly to AIDS education, counseling, testing and outreach.  Their mission is to empower everyone living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy and productive lives.

To learn more about the services we are supporting, or to make a donation, please follow the link below: http://runforaids.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1014938&u=1014938-361526320

 
Click Here to Donate

Jose is running in support of the Chicago Area Runners Road Scholars.  The Road Scholars use running to teach at risk youth important lessons in commitment, dedication and discipline. To make a donation to the Road Scholars, please follow the link below:

http://www.razoo.com/story/Jose-Perez-Fundraising-For-Cara-Road-Scholars-2012-Bank-Of-America-Chicago-Marathon-Team

We appreciate your support and encouragement!

Thanks Very Much,

Darren

Gold Leaf Product on New Book Cover

Gold Leaf Design Group's Circle Wire Vases are featured on the cover of Lena Malouf's new book, Events Exposed: Managing & Designing Special Events, due to be released in the Spring of next year.

The author is the first Australian to receive a Special Event Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Events Industry Awards last year.

The event shown was designed by Chicago's own Into the Woods, who were approached to feature their photograph on the front cover. Kudos!