Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America members have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help Hurricane Katrina victims, with many companies matching employee contributions.

MJSA-member companies involved in fund raising efforts, include, retail giant Zale Corp. ($110,000); Fantasy Diamond Corp. in Chicago ($28,112); The Jewelers Board of Trade in Warwick, Rhode Island ($8,000); and Solidscape Inc. in Merrimack, New Hampshire ($6,200). Salvadore Auctions & Appraisals of Warwick, Rhode Island, held fundraising auctions that raised over $150,000.

Stuller Inc., Lafayette, La., established the Stuller Inc. Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, in which 100% of every dollar donated goes to agencies that can make a difference to those in need of help. Companies that have donated to this fund include Bank of America Precious Metals in Providence; Johnson Matthey in New York; and Signity Americas, Ltd. in Texas.

Other companies, such as Aquatronics Industries, Riverside, R.I., Otto Frei, Oakland, Calif., and Oxygen Generating Systems International, Amherst, N.Y., have donated equipment. Aquatronics Industries donated a mobile water purification system to process and purify contaminated city tap water and create potable bacteria-free water. Oxygen Generating Systems donated equipment for medical oxygen cylinder refilling; and Otto Frei donated tools and equipment to customers in the disaster area.

Gem Diamond Company, Houston, and Precious Metals West, Los Angeles, both dedicated pages of their Web sites to help displaced jewelry industry workers needing assistance in finding work, office space, and other forms of support.

Some companies donated basic necessities, such as clothes, non-perishable food, diapers, bottles, and baby formula. They include Hoover & Strong, Richmond, Virginia; Midstates Recycling & Refining, Des Plaines, Illinois; and Peterson & Young Goldsmiths, Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. While Chamilia, New York City, created the Katrina bead to signify, as the company puts it, “our hearts go out to you and our hands are there to help.” All proceeds from the beads will go directly to the American Red Cross.

Gem Certification and Appraisal Lab, New York City, is producing and underwriting a CD with a new and original song, “Southern Rains,” with proceeds from sales going directly to the American Red Cross or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The following MJSA members also contributed to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort:

A & H Manufacturing Company, Johnston, R.I., matched employee contributions.

A.G. & G. Inc./Vieste Rosa Ltd., Johnston, R.I., sent donation to the American Red Cross.

Aaura Inc., Chicago, sent 400 lbs. of comfort items to shelters.

Artediam Ltd., New York City, conducted a food and clothing drive to raise money with all donations sent to the American Red Cross.

Aurafin LLC, Tamarac, Fla., sent money to the Salvation Army.

Cardona Industries USA, Great Neck, N.Y., donated to the American Red Cross.

Creative Services Inc., Mansfield, Mass., matched employee donations to the American Red Cross.

Dana Augustine Inc., Kennesaw, Ga., matched employee contributions to charity organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and the Humane Society of the United States.

Diamond Designs Inc., Aklow, Ohio, donated to the American Red Cross.

George H. Fuller & Son Co., Pawtucket, R.I., matched employee contributions and donated to the American Red Cross.

Hindley’s Jewelry Inc., Spokane, Wash., donated $300 to the American Red Cross.

Innovation Jewelry Inc., Los Angeles, sent donations to the American Red Cross and retail stores.

J.J. Chambers & Co., Atlanta, donated $500 to the American Red Cross.

James A. Murphy & Son, S. Attleboro, Mass., donated cash.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., Neenah, Wisc., donated cash to the American Red Cross.

Karen’s Jewelers, Oak Ridge, Tenn., offered customers watch pins and free watch batteries in return for a $10 donation.

Magee Jewelry, Penascola, Fla., sent $500 to the American Red Cross.

Melanie Michele Headpieces & Jewelry, Normal, Ill., sent money to the American Red Cross, the Humane Society, the Louisiana SPCA, and NAACP.

Myron Toback Inc., New York City, sent money and became an authorized representative for the American Red Cross.

Nancy B. & Co., Culver City, Calif., sent checks to the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.

Navikan Inc., Chicago, donated to the American Red Cross.

Orlanda Olsen Inc., New York City, sent a check to the American Red Cross.

R & J Jewelers, Reno, Nev., donated all repair pickup receipts for one day, and also placed a canister at the counter for customer donations.

Rudolph Findings, New York City, donated $500 to the American Red Cross.

Sierra West Jewelers, Drem, Utah, donated to the L.D.S. Foundation.

Simons Jewelers, St. Louis, Mo., donated to the American Red Cross.

Sonya Ltd., Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, made an initial donation of $1,000 and 20 percent of all Hurricane Katrina bracelet sales will go to the non-profit Hurricane Hunter Association.

Tiffany & Co., New York City, donated to relief organizations from its Texas stores and plan further donations to an organization dedicated to rebuilding devastated areas.

Xuron Corp., Saco, Maine, made employee and corporate donations to the Bush/Clinton Relief Fund.

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine