On March 1, 2003, the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) presented a check for more than $27,000 to the Jewelers Charity Fund (JCF) at the association’s Centennial Kick-Off Gala, held at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. The event was held to celebrate MJSA’s 100th anniversary.

Most of the donated funds were raised through support for the MJSA Centennial Tribute Journal. The book includes a brief history and photo collage depicting the industry and association over the past 100 years. It was distributed at the gala and also will be available at the MJSA booth at industry trade shows, MJSA’s 100th annual meeting this November, and MJSA headquarters in Providence, R.I. A portion of the JCF donation came from a special raffle at the gala, in which attendees had a chance to win a full-page ad in AJM magazine or the MJSA Buyers’ Guide as well as in National Jeweler. Additional prizes included an official NASCAR jacket signed by the Target racing team, and a Bon Appetit grand prize.

In other MJSA news, the organization reported that its Expo Show, held March 2-4 in New York City, drew more than 5,000 attendees. According to exhibitors, the move to the Javits Center helped increase business over the three-day event. In addition, more than 280 people attended the MJSA educational seminars, which featured presentations by leading industry figures. For a complete show report, see the May issue of AJM magazine.