JFC raises $2.9M for charity partners

Las Vegas--At its 16th annual Facets of Hope dinner, Jewelers for Children announced that it has raised nearly $3 million for distribution this year to the children’s charities it supports.

The charity said it plans to give $750,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, $725,000 to Make-A-Wish America, $600,000 to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, $600,000 to the National CASA Association, $100,000 to Make-A-Wish India and $25,000 to the Santa-America Fund.

In addition, JFC again is setting aside $100,000 for local grants to be decided via a social media voting campaign held later this year. JFC started its local grants program last year, distributing $10,000 each to 10 children’s charities nominated by retailers nationwide. 

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The Facets of Hope event, held at Mandalay Bay on Sunday evening, began with a cocktail reception, providing industry members a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.

This was followed by dinner and a program, during which JFC recognized Mike Barnes, CEO of Signet Jewelers Ltd., and Glenn and Susan Rothman of Hearts on Fire, for their contributions in the industry and passion for giving back to the community.

Guests also heard from St. Jude patient Ellen Taylor and her mom Ann, who spoke about how the research center supported their entire family when Ellen was being treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is now in remission.

Another guest, Judy Tudor, spoke about her experience with the foster care system at a young age and the difference her court-appointed advocate from the National CASA Association made in her life when she was a teenager. Now an adult with children of her own, Tudor noted how close she still is to her advocate. 

Since 1999, Jewelers for Children has donated more than $45 million on behalf of the industry to help children in need, with Facets of Hope serving as one of its main fundraising points throughout the year.

“JFC is the industry’s charity and by being involved, you are helping us make a difference in the lives of children and their families,” JFC Board Chair Ruth Batson, who also is CEO of the American Gem Society, said at Facets of Hope. “Over the past 16 years, we have touched the lives of so many children and their families.”