By Miranda Katz
Jewelers for Children celebrated 15 years of charity on June 2, 2013, at its annual Facets of Hope event.
Founded in 1999, the organization involves over 2,000 jewelry trade organizations, jewelry and watch manufacturing companies, jewelry retail stores, individual jewelry professionals and jewelry consumers in helping children in need. The board comprises representatives from countless companies in the jewelry industry, all of whom work to see JFC succeed.
Since its founding, JFC has raised upwards of $43 million. At the Facets of Hope event, attended by 1,600 members of the industry, the charity announced that it had over $2.6 million to support its partners (the St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the National CASA Association) in the coming year.
“We are truly an industry with a heart and what we do through Jewelers for Children has no equal in any other industry,” said JFC Board Chairman Peter Engel. “We have helped so many children over the years; it’s a real honor to be part of the industry’s charity.”
The event took place in Las Vegas at the Mandalbay Hotel and Casino, which contains three hotels—THEhotel, MandalayBayTower and a Four Seasons Hotel on the exclusive top floors—as well as many dining and nightlife options. A cocktail reception was followed by dinner and the program; highlights included the recognition of Bea Spiech of Macy’s, who received an award from Effy and Benny Hematian of Effy Jewelry, and chairman of the Movado Group Efraim Grinberg, who was introduced by Scandal actress Kerry Washington. Two previous attendants of the Facets of Hope event—St. Jude patient Jessica and Make-a-Wish recipient Tiffany Rowe—also spoke, recalling their experiences and congratulating the organization and industry on their success.
The Facets of Hope dinner is an annual event that celebrates the success of JFC. The event will be held once more in Las Vegas next year, on Sunday, June 1, 2014, celebrating the organization’s sixteenth year of charitable work.