The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children (JCF), the jewelry industry’s charity, will honor Mary Forte, president & CEO of Zale Corp. and Matthew A. Runci, president & CEO of Jewelers of America, Inc. at their 2003 Facets of Hope Dinner on June 1, during the JCK Show ~ Las Vegas.
Forte and Runci were selected as honorees because of their tremendous work through the years on behalf of all jewelry industry-related causes and specifically for their outstanding commitment to the Jewelers Charity Fund since its inception in 1999.
“The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children is delighted to honor two of our industry’s most respected leaders,” said JCF Chairman Victor Weinman (DesignWorks Jewelry Group Ltd). “Both Mary and Matt have given of their time and hearts to JCF since it began five years ago. They have taught us the true meaning of giving.”
The JCF recently distributed $2.6 million raised prior to their 2002 Facets of Hope Dinner to its recipient charities – Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, Make-A-Wish India (in a special disbursement), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Glaser Pediatric Research Network and The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (in a special disbursement). Jewelers Charity Fund for Children. The dinner honored Howard Sherwood of Sherwood Management/Daniel’s Jewelers and Leslie Mann of Sears, Roebuck & Company.
In other JCF news, the organization named an expanded board of directors and new officers.
New board members include Ruth Batson of the American Gem Society, Frank Dallahan of JCK/Cahners, Ed Dayoob of Fred Meyer Jewelers, Marty Forte of Zale Corp., Cecilia Gardner of the Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee, Gary Gordon of Samuel Gordon Jewelers, Efraim Grinberg of Movado Group, Inc., Howard Hurwitz of Howard’s Jewelry & Loan, Dilip Mehta of Rosy Blue Inc., Glenn Rothman of Hearts on Fire, Matt Stuller of Stuller Inc. and Rachel Wertheimer of Jewel America Inc.
Assuming his second term as Chairman of the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children on October 1st, Weinman stated that he plans to continue to lead the organization in its continuing quest to help children in need. “The coming year brings with it great promise as I will be joined by many wonderful, talented people, all who volunteer their services to JCF in addition to their positions of great responsibility in the various sectors of our industry,” Weinman said.
In accordance with JCF’s mission to involve retailers, manufacturers and trade associations, the following slate of officers reflects that sentiment and includes: Terry Burman (Sterling Jewelers Inc.), Vice President – Fundraising/Vice Chairman; Dana Duneier (Clyde Duneier, Inc.), Vice President – Charity Programs; Arthur E. Reiner (Finlay Fine Jewelry Corp.), Vice President – Marketing & Public Relations; Mary Forte (Zale Corporation), Vice President – Special Events; Laurence R. Grunstein (Citizen Watch Co. of America), Treasurer; Matthew A. Runci (Jewelers of America, Inc.), Secretary; Jonathan A. Goldman (Frederick Goldman, Inc.), Former Chairman.
The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children was created by representatives of the entire jewelry industry with the mission of raising money for charities that primarily benefit children. Year long fundraising is conducted through a canister program 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 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, on Thursday, October 24, in Memphis, Tenn. 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 jewelry industry.
Members of the jewelry industry may wish to consider a tax-deductible contribution to JCF instead of typical holiday gifts. JCF has a variety of ways to express holiday greetings while helping children with catastrophic illnesses. To find out more about JCF programs, contact Pattie Light at (703) 919-8003.
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