GBK Hosts Official Thank You Gifting Lounge for CNN Hero Awards Ceremony Airing Thanksgiving Day

On Nov. 20, celebrities and heroes gathered at the Shrine Auditorium to celebrate the CNN Hero Awards hosted by Anderson Cooper and airing this Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. Backstage at the ceremony, GBK Productions conducted the official “Thank You” Gift Lounge for everyone in attendance, honoring everyday people who are changing the world. Those featured in the special were nominated and voted on by CNN viewers for their recognition during the ceremony.GBK—the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company—and CNN came together to find the perfect brands and gifts to honor the CNN Heroes in a unique and special way. GBK itself also donated $2,500 to each of the 10 Heroes’ foundations, totaling $25,000.

Many luxury brands were on hand at the gifting suite this year, including Ascenta, offering omega-3 supplements and vegetarian supplements, NutraVega. Ascenta also provides children a kids supplement—NutraSea Kids.

Also in attendance:

• Cat ® Footwear – Men- and women-styled boots from the Legendary Raw casual collection
• Croton Watches – Both men and women time pieces available
• Powermat – Three position wireless charging mat, keeping three products charged at one time, including Powercube, which allows hundreds of devices to be charged
• Zamani Retreat Kempinski – A seven-night retreat at Africa’s Prime Holistic Health Retreat, including Health Package and airfare
• Marchon Eyewear – Glass designers include LaCoste, Jill Sander, Fendi, Coach and Sean John
• Astor & Black Custom Clothiers – A handmade silk scarf and a certificate for a custom-made shirt
• ISOTONER® SmarTouch™ – These gloves allow the wearer to continue to operate handheld electronic devices, including touchscreen pieces, like smartphones, mp3 players, ATMs, gas pumps and GPS devices
• Booda Brand – Gift collection including onesies and T-shirts, 100 percent organic, and featuring inspirational phrases like “I Will Make a Difference”
• RevitaLash– RevitaLash Mascara and the new Hair by RevitaLash conditioner that strengthens and creates fuller hair
• Lovelinks America – Bracelets inspired by the real life pieces that soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq—“From Soldier to Soldier”
• Umi Children’s Shoes – Children’s shoes inspired by European styles
• William Henry Studio – Pocketknife or pen made from sterling silver, titanium and burl wood, while also consisting of delicately-placed gemstones
• Caribbean Living Magazine – Providing a one-week stay in the Caribbean
• Bullets for Peace – In conjunction with program called “Every Bullet Has a Target,” an organization that fashions pendants out of real recycled bullets from war zones and troubled areas—each different style is associated with a different charity
• Essence Bracelets – Handmade pieces consisting of sterling silver and gemstones, each also containing the healing energy of Essence
• Physique 57 – A certificate for six months of unlimited classes at the Beverly Hills studio
• Wine to Water – A charity company that focuses on clean water projects worldwide—Zinfandel and Chardonnay varieties featured
• FIGS – Pieces handmade in Los Angeles—British woolen & Italian Silk Bow Ties & Scarves
• Tide ® – Signature shirts
• The Green Garmento ™ – Unique, reusable four-in-one garment and laundry bags that are already preventing 300 million pounds of plastic from the U.S. landfills and waterways

The heroes in attendance included: Guadalupe Arizpe De La Vega (FEMAP Foundation), Susan Burton (A New Way of Life Reentry Project), Linda Fondren (Shape Up Mississippi), Narayanan Krishnan (Akshaya USA), Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (Mary’s Meals USA Inc.), Harmon Parker (Bridging the Gap, Inc.), Aki Ra (Landmine Relief Fund), Evans Wadongo (Sustainable Development for All-US) and Dan Wallrath (Bay Area Builders Association Support Our Troops). Also featured was the winner of the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Award: Anuradha Koirala with Friends of Maiti Nepal.

Celebrities and performers who joined the festivities were the likes of Common, Demi Moore, Gerard Butler, Holly Robinson Peete, John Legend, Kid Rock, LL Cool J, Loretta Devine, Melanie Fiona, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Rodney Peete and Patty Austin.

For more information on the GBK gifting suites and services, visit www.gbkproductions.com.