Nonprofits Win Big in Las Vegas

RAPAPORT... Jewelers for Children (JFC) raised $1.1 million at its annual Facets of Hope dinner in Las Vegas last week, bringing the organization's fundraising tally to over $60 million since its inception in 1999. The total will be distributed between the group's various charity partners. That includes $225,000 earmarked for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, $235,000 going to each of Make-A-Wish America and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and $300,000 allocated to the National CASA/GAL Association. JFC also committed to donate $75,000 to Make-A-Wish International for wish granting in India and $50,000 to the Organization for Autism Research. JFC honored Dave Meleski of the Richline Group and Craig Stern of Rogers Enterprises for their efforts to raise "substantial amounts of money" for the charity.Separately, nonprofit Diamonds Do Good recognized the inaugural recipients of the NextGen Awards at its annual gala at the Las Vegas shows.The honorees were Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of corporate affairs at De Beers and incoming president of the World Diamond Council (WDC); Kealeboga Pule, founder of South Africa-based Nungu Diamonds; Kecia Caffie, president of Banter by Piercing Pagoda; and Alexis Padis, president of Padis Jewelry and president elect of the American Gem Society (AGS). "Our goal is to recognize leaders who represent the future for our industry," said Diamonds Do Good president Anna Martin ahead of the event. "These individuals span the mining, manufacturing and retail sectors and we will highlight their accomplishments in their respective fields and support of the communities where they do business." Image(from left): Craig Stern of Rogers Enterprises, Jeffrey Cohen of Citizen Watch America, Alan Zimmer from Reeds Jewelers, JFC Board Chair Debra Puzio of StarLuxe Branding, and Dave Meleski from Richline Group. (Jewelers for Children)