Monkeez Makes a Difference is giving free charity event kits to independent retailers in all of its eight showrooms, including Dallas, Chicago and Minneapolis, during the summer markets.

The educational, charitable program for children in the MVP Brands family is supplying stores with kits that include ideas and materials to plan and host community-building events that will benefit its three charity partners—Samaritan’s Purse, Best Friends Animal Society and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Universal Designs has made it easier for retailers to stock and organize its product, including its core Pass It On cards and lines of bookmarks as well as auto decals.

Bobbi Baugh, president of the Central Florida-based company, said the product tower makes it simple for stores to continually reload Universal Designs’ product.

“We really knew that we needed some updating and refreshing of the look and the color schemes, so this is based on really popular black and granite patterns and very well-received,” Baugh said.

Ohio-based P. Graham Dunn has entered a new product category, introducing Amish-themed cards, postcards and calendars.

“It all has Amish-inspired images,” said Anthony Burdette, the company’s marketing manager. “Calendars can actually be customized to the store so you can get your store name added to the back of the calendar. The higher quantity you buy, the cheaper you can get the calendars.”

Divine Image Cosmetics founder and CEO Amanda May is an evangelist of a different sort. Flowing out of her walk with God and understanding of the Scriptures, May shows women through her makeup business that their self-worth comes from God—not from their appearance.

“We have the tools to help enhance their natural outward beauty, but the true beauty that people see starts with the hidden woman of the heart,” said May, who grew up in an abusive home and initially used makeup to hide from others.

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart Atlanta will operate with a new Tuesday-to-Monday market schedule starting in January 2014.

The Market Temporaries will open one day earlier—on Thursday—and will close Monday with the Market.

Twice Born has launched a new custom brand—Micah68—in an effort to support the Mercy Ships ministry.

Hannah Brandt, wife of Gardenfire and Twice Born founder Jayme Brandt, served for six months with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone before the two got married. During discipleship training, Hannah spent time in orphanages among her other duties.

Wall art company Carpentree recently acquired the framed art license for The Bible series from producer Mark Burnett and actress Roma Downey.

“We will be the exclusive licensee to frame this product,” said Jordan Hobson, sales director with the Tulsa, Okla.-based company.