On Monday, Feb. 4th, the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children will fulfill the wish of a nine-year-old boy who wants to go to Hawaii. Through special arrangements with the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, Connor Poole, who lives in Orlando, will celebrate his 10th birthday a few days early at the JCK Show in Orlando.

Poole, who has lymphoma, is one of 88 children internationally whose fondest wish will be realized, thanks to a program titled Wish A State, a unique partnership between the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children (JCF) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation*. Poole’s wish is to go to Hawaii with his family to see the volcanoes there. Leaders of JCF and members of Jewelers of America will present airline tickets and hotel accommodations on behalf of JCF. Poole and his family will leave for Hawaii on March 18.

The date of the presentation, Feb. 4, is two days before Poole’s birthday, which is Feb. 6. Additionally, Feb. 9 is another special day-it marks the one-year anniversary since Poole had a bone marrow transplant procedure. He is doing well, and has a lot to celebrate.

All attendees at the JCK Show – Orlando are invited to help him celebrate while his wish is granted. At 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, there will be a birthday cake for Poole in the North Lobby of the Orange County Convention Center. In keeping with the Hawaii theme, the Jewelers’ Charity Fund will be distributing leis at its booth at the show.

The JCF, a nonprofit organization created by the jewelry industry to raise money for children’s charities donated a total of more than $2 million last year to three charities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation* received funds totaling $520,000 to help fulfill wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. With these funds, Make-A-Wish chapters in all 50 states and five international affiliates will each grant wishes on behalf of the JCF.

Funds donated by the five-year-old JCF are raised through a variety of fund-raising activities conducted throughout the year, including an annual gala held each June.

For information, contact Pattie Light, executive director, Jewelers Charity Fund for Children, 22660 Executive Dr., Suite 122, Sterling, VA 20166; (703) 788-5479. E-mail: jewelerscharity@aol.com.

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