Thanks to funds raised by Rottermond Jewelers, a family-owned business with locations in Milford and Brighton, Mich., the Make-A-Wish Foundation recently granted the wishes of two children suffering from rare diseases. 

Store owner Cindi Rottermond set out to raise $10,000 for the charity organization through the sales of bracelets in early 2012. Rottermond Jewelers held a design competition through social media. The winning bracelet design, valued at $99, is inscribed with the Make-A-Wish logo, as well as the words strength, joy, and hope. Twenty-five percent of each sale went directly to the Michigan chapter of the charity. 

The store also raised funds and awareness for the charity at its annual client appreciation dinner in November, which featured a silent auction.

As a result of the fundraising, Sydnie, age 5, and Kearsten, age 12, were both granted wishes in February. Sydnie, who has a heart condition called pulmonary atresia, had the opportunity to go to Disney World with her family. Kearsten, who suffers from acute myeloid leukemia, wished for a shopping spree at the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Mich. (She called it “the best day I had in a long time.”)

“We couldn’t have done this without the help of our clients,” Rottermond says. “Their support was essential in granting each child her wish.”

JCK