Pictured clockwise: Caitlin Muchow, Sheal Patel, Ashley Rusinak, Regan Vasquez
The Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) selected four industry professional individuals to receive the charity group’s inaugural “Rising Star” Awards.
The four recipients will be honored for their industry innovation and commitment to making a positive difference in their communities at the annual Housewares Cares Gala on Monday, March 3, during The Inspired Home Show 2025 in Chicago.
The 2025 HCF “Rising Star” Award recipients are:
- Caitlin Muchow and Ashley Rusinak, graphic designers for StoreBound/Dash – Recognized for exemplifying the heart of the company’s “Dash of Good” initiative and inspiring the company team to serve their community, according to HCF. Some of their 2024 highlights included leading the charge to rescue puppies with the North Shore Animal League on Long Island, NY; taking the team to work in a soup kitchen; leading a career day for inner-city youth; and championing a holiday gift drive for the needy.
- Regan Vasquez, senior videographer for Lodge Cast Iron – Recognized for redefining industry norms and bringing emotional resonance and the unique Lodge personality to life in all her visual storytelling, according to HCF. In 2024, one of Vasquez’s short-form documentaries won Best Promotional Documentary at the Los Angeles Feedback Film Festival and was also featured in the Tennessee International Indie Film Festival.
- Sheal Patel, director of finance for YouCopia – Recognized, according to HCF, for his pivotal role in transforming the company’s financial operations to maximize efficiency and long-term growth, and also for his commitment to community service through organizations including South Asian Solidarity Movement, The Simple Good, PAWS Chicago and the Chicago chapter of the Arman Roy Foundation.
“Each of these ‘Rising Stars’ has shown a commitment to excellence in their profession and in making a meaningful impact in the lives of others,” said Ron Diamond, HCF executive chairman. “Their passion and drive not only enhance our industry but serve as a reminder that doing good is at the core of meaningful success.”
The four HCF “Rising Stars” will join three industry veterans previously announced as the evening’s marquee honorees. They are:
- Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman, Beyond — Humanitarian of the Year Award
- Mark Eichhorn, CEO, Anchor Hocking Co. — Industry Humanitarian Award
- Esther Suen, vice chairman & managing director, Simatelex Manufactory Co. Ltd. — Lifetime Humanitarian Award
The Housewares Cares Gala will be held March 3 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. The reception will feature a live auction and tasting stations by James Beard all-star chefs. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), HCF’s legacy charity, as well as the James Beard Foundation, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America.
Since its first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $56 million and has been credited with donating more than $33 million to BCRF, along with significant contributions to more than 25 other charitable organizations. Since 2000, HCF has funded 132 BCRF research projects.
To attend the event, sponsor an ad in the gala journal, make a donation or learn more about HCF, its honorees and its charities, please visit https://www.housewarescharity.org or contact Paul Murphy at 508.272.0717 or [email protected].
