JFC raises nearly $3M for charities

Las Vegas--At its 17th annual Facets of Hope event, Jewelers for Children announced that it has raised $2.8 million this year to distribute among its charity partners.

The charity said that it plans to pledge $600,000 of that to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, $750,000 to Make-A-Wish America, $625,000 to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, $625,000 to the National CASA Association, $100,000 to Make-A-Wish India, and $25,000 to the Santa-America Fund.

JFC also will set aside $100,000 for its Local Grants program. 

Facets of Hope, held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on May 31, started with a cocktail reception, allowing industry members the opportunity to network and catch up. This was followed by a dinner and program during which the JFC recognized De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier and Pandora Americas CEO Scott Burger.

Attendees also heard from Florence Ngobeni-Allen, who was there representing the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, as well as 4-year-old Violet, who charmed the crowd as she talked about her recent trip to Disneyland, a wish that was granted by Make-A-Wish America.

On May 28, the organization also held its annual Rings of Strength run-walk-bike event at Mandalay Bay, raising more than $60,000 for the children’s charities it supports.

More than 125 people gathered at 5:30 a.m. to walk or run a 5K, or bike one of two courses--a 15-kilometer route or a challenging 50-kilometer route.

Participants who signed up created their own fundraising websites, and could participate as individuals or on a team. Teams were organized by companies and organizations like the Women’s Jewelry Association, Quality Gold, Ben Bridge Jeweler, JA New York, Sterling Jewelers, and many more.

Sponsors included JCK Events, Blue Nile, Brinks, Jewelry Creations, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Coast Diamond, Freeman Expo Service, Cmac Transportation, and Ashi Diamonds.

Since JFC was founded in 1999 more than $48 million total has been raised on behalf of the industry for children in need.