The Gemological Institute of America presented a check for $43,000 to former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on February 5 as a donation to the Twin Towers Fund for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It was one of three donations from GIA, totaling nearly $130,000, to three relief funds established to assist victims of the attacks. The donations from GIA represent the net proceeds from contributions to GIA’s annual League of Honor Founders Dinner held in New York last October.

GIA’s League of Honor Dinner is held annually to honor those who contribute to the Institute’s education and research programs on behalf of the gem and jewelry industry. Proceeds from the event itself provide additional funding toward GIA’s nonprofit mission. This year, however, GIA felt compelled to dedicate the event’s net proceeds to an even greater purpose, said the Institute’s President, William E. Boyajian. “GIA has strong ties to New York City, both through our education and laboratory services in Manhattan, and also because of our long experience with working with so many friends and supporters in the jewelry industry there, so we felt it was especially important to assist the relief efforts in a substantial way,” he said.

GIA’s Chief Development Officer, Linda Ellis, said the three funds selected to receive the Institute’s contributions were the Twin Towers Fund, established by then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for families of members of the uniformed services of New York; The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, an education fund; and the September 11 Fund, for victims and families.

“We were deeply touched by the great outpouring of support from industry leaders worldwide who helped celebrate GIA’s 70th anniversary while contributing to this important cause,” said Ellis.

JCK