JFC Donates $250,000 to Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Jewelers for Children (JFC) has made a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support efforts in the devastated areas of the gulf region following Hurricane Katrina. 

“Everyone has been overwhelmed with the news from the effected region and our executive committee felt it was very important for JFC to contribute to the relief efforts. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in the horrible tragedy, particularly those that are part of our industry family. Providing financial assistance from the industry’s charity was an easy decision,” said JFC Chairman Terry Burman.

Jewelers for Children, whose mission is to provide support to charities that primarily benefit children, chose the American Red Cross in recognition of their efforts to help so many in the region. The Red Cross efforts involve assisting many families and the executive committee felt that their work fits perfectly with JFC’s mission.

Including the contribution to the Red Cross and the previously announced commitment by JFC to its legacy charities, distributions will total $ 4.4 million dollars this year. 

JFC legacy charity partners are working on relief assistance in the gulf region as well. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has accepted some of the area's youngest cancer victims at a satellite facility in Baton Rouge; the National CASA Association will be assisting their local chapters with getting re-established and providing immediate assistance to children who are the victims of life-threatening abuse and neglect in the area; and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be providing additional support to their chapters in the effected areas to quickly begin again granting the wishes of children affected by catastrophic illness.

“With the support of our charity partners and the on-going support of this great industry, JFC will be making a difference in the lives of the children involved in this tragic event,” added Burman.

Jewelers For Children was founded in 1999 by the U.S. jewelry industry with the mission of helping children in need. Since its inception, JFC has donated over $18 million to programs benefiting children whose lives have been affected by illness, abuse, or neglect. This nationwide success is due to the continuing generosity of jewelry trade organizations, jewelry and watch manufacturing companies, jewelry retail stores, individual jewelry professionals, and jewelry consumers.