JFC Raises $1.95 Million for Charity Partners

Las Vegas—At its 20th annual Facets of Hope event, Jewelers for Children announced it had raised $1.95 million to donate to its philanthropic partners in the year ahead.

That brings the total amount the organization has raised for children in need since it was founded in 1999 to $55.5 million.

“What an amazing milestone for the charity, and particularly for our industry,” said Pam Mortensen, JFC board chair. “I don’t think any of us could have imagined 20 years ago that we would be marking this occasion and to be announcing such an amazing number.”

Of the $1.95 million raised for the coming year, $425,000 will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; $525,000 will go to Make-A-Wish America; $425,000 to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; and $375,000 to the National CASA Association.

Additionally, JFC is committing $75,000 to Make-A-Wish International for wish granting in India; $25,000 to the Santa-America Fund; and $50,000 for local grants which will be chosen later in the year via a social media voting campaign.

JFC is also working with the Organization for Autism Research for the first time, and donating $50,000 to the organization.

The Facets of Hope gala happened Sunday, June 3, during the Las Vegas jewelry trade shows, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

During the evening’s program, JFC recognized Bill Luth, executive general manager/executive vice president of Kay Jewelers at Signet Jewelers, and Jeffrey Cohen, the president and CEO of Citizen Watch America.

Some of the former children who were direct recipients of JFC’s fundraising efforts were also on hand to update the audience on their lives, including Abby, who represented St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and was present at Facets of Hope in 2004; Paige, for Make-A-Wish America, who appeared and performed at Facets of Hope in 2005; and Pamela, representing the National CASA Association, who appeared in 2006.

The evening included silent and live auctions that saw attendees bid on items like paintings by Reena Ahluwalia and Shreya Mehta, as well as a gold and diamond replica of the Star Wars droid BB-8.

Hallmark Jewelry sponsored the after-party dessert, drinks and coffee, while Bulova sponsored a performance by British singer/songwriter Calum Scott.