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Brand And Retail News: Jeweler Succumbs To Coronavirus; Tiffany, De Beers Make Donations To Help April 08, 2020 (0 comments)
In Memoriam: Jeweler Randy Flatau, Industry’s Second COVID Death
Beaumont, TX—Randy Flatau, 70 (left), owner of Randy’s Fine Jewelers in Beaumont, TX, has died from COVID-19. His is the second such death in the American jewelry industry; 43-year-old Julio Ramirez of MK Diamonds in Los Angeles, CA, died March 16, presumably also from the virus.
Flatau, who died April 1, had underlying health issues.
Public tributes poured out on social media, as customers, family, and friends remembered Flatau as genial and generous and always willing to try and help a customer that didn’t have enough money. JCK reported Flatau has had some tough luck over the years, having been robbed multiple times and sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg after returning fire with an armed robber in 2012.
Tiffany Donates $1 Million to COVID Relief
New York, NY—The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the luxury jeweler’s charity arm, has committed $1 million to COVID-19 relief, Luxury Daily reports. $750,000 will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, while another $250,000 will stay in its home city of New York, going to NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund that helps New York nonprofit social service and arts and cultural organizations struggling with the health and economic effects of COVID-19.
“During this global health crisis, we must all be responsive to the urgent needs of our global communities,” said Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chairman/president of the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, New York, in a statement. “We are proud to support organizations providing immediate relief for communities impacted by COVID-19, including our hometown of New York,” she said.
De Beers Group Contributes $2,500,000 In Botswana And Namibia For Covid-19 Response
Gaborone, Botswana—De Beers Group will contribute $2,500,000 across Botswana and Namibia to aid the response to the COVID-19 crisis. As a 50/50 joint venture partner with both Botswana and Namibia in the recovery and sorting of rough diamonds, its contribution in both countries forms part of a larger effort across De Beers Group’s four producing countries (including Canada and South Africa) to support governments and communities in the procurement of medical supplies, logistical support, vulnerability assessment support plans, food security for vulnerable households, water supply to communities, community COVID-19 awareness and education, and local clinical support.
De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver said, “With our contribution of $2,500,000, De Beers is supporting the unprecedented efforts of healthcare professionals, community leaders and all those confronting COVID-19 in the countries and communities in which we live and work. We have refocused our business in our host communities to support the response to the pandemic and our priorities are clear: prepare communities for the crisis, support the emergency response and be a partner in economic recovery. “We have long-standing partnerships with the people of Botswana and Namibia. The men and women of De Beers are proud to stand with them now in this moment of crisis and we will stand with them as their partners on the road to recovery and renewal.”
De Beers Group also has designed a comprehensive Community Response Plan (CRP) to provide the most effective and relevant support to host communities. The CRP has been developed through engagement with community, traditional and faith leaders, and government agencies to understand their needs and ensure De Beers Group is providing the right support at the right time, both during the pandemic and into the vital economic recovery phase.
Further announcements will be made regarding contribution to response efforts in Canada and South Africa.