TUSTIN, Calif., March 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the recently merged 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, has accepted five wish sponsorships from Jewelers For Children (JFC), a nonprofit organization created by the jewelry industry to raise money for children's charities worldwide.
Of the nearly $4 million donated to children's charities last year by JFC, the Make-A-Wish Foundation received $900,000 to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in all 50 states. To date, 157 children have had their wishes granted thanks to the Wish A State program, a unique partnership between Jewelers For Children (JFC) and Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
This month, five local children from Orange and Riverside counties had their fondest wishes granted on the behalf of JFC including Elizabeth Piercy of Costa Mesa who wished to go to Alaska, Manuel B. of Fontana who wished to have a backyard play set, David B. of Moreno Valley who wished to have a shopping spree, Amy P. of Garden Grove who wished to have a shopping spree, and Kelly K. of Norco who wished to go to Oahu.
The special partnership between Jewelers for Children and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19, when Wish child Elizabeth Piercy joins JFC representative Carmen Szladowski, from the Gem Stone Trading Company, aboard a parade carriage in the 2005 Swallow's Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano. This year's festivities mark the third year running in which JFC and a wish child have celebrated Fiesta de las Golondrinas and shared the power of a wish(r) with San Juan Capistrano.
"We truly believe that children are the most precious of all gems," said David Rocha, JFC executive director. "We are enormously proud of the benevolence of our industry and celebrate the partnership we have with the Make-A-Wish Foundation."
"We applaud Jewelers For Children for its ongoing commitment to our special mission," said Mark Pilon, President/CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire. "The jewelry industry's generous support has helped us to grant the wishes of many local, courageous children, enriching their lives with hope, strength, and joy."
About Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire
Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 74 chapters in the U.S. and its territories and 28 international affiliates on five continents. In 2005, the national organization celebrates "25 Years Making Dreams Come True".
Locally, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, has granted over 2,500 wonderful wishes to children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To refer a child, or to learn how you can help, visit the organization's Web site at: www.wishocie.org. Phone: (714) 573-WISH (9474). E-mail: orangeco@wishocie.org.
About The Jewelers For Children
Since 1999, Jewelers For Children has granted more than $14 million to vital programs. Armed with a mission to raise funds for charities that primarily benefit children, JFC has benefited from the generosity of the jewelry, diamond and watch industries. Funds are raised throughout the year by a variety of special projects dependent upon the support of the jewelry trade organizations, multi-store retailers, independent jewelers and manufacturers who participate.