The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children (JCF), the jewelry industry’s charity, will honor Edward A. Dayoob, president & COO of Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. of Portland, Ore., and Susan M. Jacques, president & CEO of Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts of Omaha, Neb., at its 2004 Facets of Hope Dinner in Las Vegas on June 6, it was announced by JCF Chairman Victor Weinman of DesignWorks Jewelry Group Ltd.

Dayoob and Jacques were selected as next year’s honorees because of their tremendous work through the years on behalf of jewelry industry-related causes, JCF said in a statement. They join a list of those who have been honored by JCF since its initial dinner in 1999. 2003 Facets of Hope honorees were Mary L. Forte of Zale Corp. and Matthew Runci of Jewelers of America, Inc.

“The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children is delighted to honor two of our industry’s most respected leaders,” said Weinman. “Ed has served JCF as a member of our Board of Directors and Susan has been continually supportive of the charity’s work. We are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them both in an expanded capacity.”

The JCF recently distributed $3.4 million raised prior to their 2003 Facets of Hope Dinner to its charity partners – Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, and National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Up to 25 percent of funds allocated annually may be used to help children outside of the United States. It is in this manner that JCF endeavors to replenish the human spirit in areas of the world that supply the natural resources critical to the diamond and jewelry industry.

At the 2003 Facets of Hope Dinner, JCF said that the total of funds donated to the charities since the first dinner exceeded $10 million. Each year’s dinner has surpassed the goals set forth by the fundraising committee, composed of leaders from all sectors of the industry. JCF’s Vice President of Fundraising/Vice Chair Terry Burman of Sterling Jewelers Inc. is poised to become the next Chairman of the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children.

Weinman’s term as Chairman of the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children will conclude on October 1. He has traveled on behalf of JCF to India, South Africa, and Botswana, “As manufacturers, retail jewelers and trade organizations have worked together to accomplish so much, I have been most fortunate to visit the international sites where the funds have been invested,” he said. “I have been profoundly affected by these experiences and express deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve our industry’s charity.” Representatives from the jewelry industry created the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children with the mission of raising money for charities that primarily benefit children. Yearlong fundraising is conducted through a JCF Heroes for Hope campaign and a variety of special projects.

All persons affiliated with the jewelry industry are encouraged to attend an open meeting of the Board of Directors, hosted by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, Calif. Representatives of all of JCF’s recipient charities will be on hand to provide an update to the special programs funded on behalf of children in need by the “industry with a heart.”

Members of the jewelry industry may wish to consider a tax-deductible contribution to JCF instead of typical holiday gifts. To find out more about JCF programs, contact Pattie Light, JCF’s executive director, at (561) 744-3222.

JCK