Jewelers for Children (JFC), which will hold the 22nd edition of its Annual Facets of Hope event on Thursday, June 4, at the Venetian Las Vegas during the jewellery market week, has said that the organisation will honour Gina Drosos, Chief Executive Officer of Signet Jewelers Ltd.; and Mercedes Abramo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cartier North America, at the event. The charity will also announce the success of their fundraising efforts for the year.

Last year, more than 1,200 industry friends attended the event and JFC had announced that US$1.3 million would be donated to the organisation’s charity partners, bringing the cumulative total since 1999 to nearly US$57 million.

“We are so fortunate to have Gina and Mercedes serving as honorees for the 2020 edition of our Facets of Hope event,” said Debra Puzio, JFC Board Chair. “Along with them and hearing from some of the young heroes the industry has helped, the evening will be a ‘not-to-miss’ event.”

More recently JFC also announced a partnership with Virtual Diamond Boutique on an app “to manage the charity’s silent auctions”.

“JFC hosts many silent auctions throughout the year, hosted at jewellery industry gatherings like the Centurion Show, JCK, and others,” JFC explained. “Until now, participation in the auction required physical attendance at the event. But the new app allows anyone to participate in an auction, even if they are not able to attend in person. The app also allows them to monitor their bids without taking time from their other show business to return to the JFC booth.”

“Going from a paper and pen to a phone-based app is a quantum leap for us,” said David Rocha, Executive Director of JFC. “No longer will folks have to run back to a showcase to try and grab a piece of paper to enter their final bids. They can be ‘present’ throughout the entire auction.”

Pic Cap: Mercedes Abramo (lft) and Gina Drosos (rt)