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Las Vegas, NV--Jewelers for Children’s 17th annual Facets of Hope event in Las Vegas raised almost $3 million, bringing the total monies raised by the charity on behalf of children in need to more than $48 million since its inception in 1999. The glittering gala was held Sunday evening, May 31, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Earlier in the week, the organization’s third annual Rings Of Strength Tour event collected more than $60,000. The Rings Of Strength tour drew 125 participants, who assembled at 5:30 a.m. to either walk or run a 5K, or bike one of two courses, a leisurely 15K route or a challenging 50K route. Participants built their own fundraising pages. (Winners are pictured at left).

"How satisfying to see this event grow year after year!" said Debra Puzio, JFC’s vice president for special programs. “When Rebecca Foerster, a JFC board member, who conceived the idea for the event, we had no way of knowing how successful it would become." The event attracted individuals, as well as teams, of industry supporters. Teams were organized by: Blue Nile, Quality Gold, StarLuxe, HL Manufacturing, Team Coast, Team Canada, Sterling Jewelers, Absolute Brilliance, American Gem Society/AGS Laboratories, Brinks ZeroShrink, Sterling Reputation, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Leo Schachter Diamonds, WJA, Sy Kessler Sales, JA New York, and Jane Basch Designs.

Early birds: Participants in this year's Rings Of Strength Tour assembled at 5:30 a.m. to begin their respective races.

“Each year that amazing number [raised] grows due to the generosity of the wonderful people in this industry, said Ruth Batson, JFC board chair, at Sunday’s Facets of Hope event. “Over the past 17 years, we have touched the lives of so many thousands of children and their families.”

During the dinner, JFC recognized Philippe Mellier, CEO of the De Beers Group of Companies, and Scott Burger, CEO of Pandora AMERICAS. Guests heard from Florence Ngobeni-Allen, representing the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and four-year old Violet, who had her wish to visit Disneyland granted by Make-A-Wish America--and whose witty, winning personality and already-substantial star power stole the show at the dinnner. Both organizations are among JFC’s beneficiaries. Attendees also saw short video presentations from the national CASA association (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, two more JFC beneficiary organizations.

Left to right: Ruth Batson, JFC board chair; David Rocha, JFC executive director with four-year-old Violet; Florence Ngobeni-Allen of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Philippe Mellier, CEO of De Beers; and Scott Burger, CEO of Pandora Americas.

Batson announced that the charity was pledging $600,000 to St. Jude, $750,000 to Make-A-Wish America, $625,000 to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, $625,000 to the National CASA Association, $100,000 to Make-A-Wish India and $ 25,000 to the Santa-America Fund. JFC also is setting aside $ 100,000 to reward in local grants, with a social media voting campaign to be held later this year.