Royal Chain Heroes, an initiative developed by jewelry manufacturer Royal Chain Group and its designer silver collection, Phillip Gavriel, issued a challenge to its retailers in September: Nominate ordinary people in your region who have done something extraordinary to help their community.
The company would then choose four community heroes to celebrate, gift them each with a piece of fine jewelry, and share their stories on a dedicated website and on social media.
“Over the last few months, we’ve heard the inspiring stories of people who have made a difference across the country, but there are so many more who will never get that national recognition they deserve,” said Phillip Gabriel Maroof, vice president of Royal Chain, in a prepared statement.
The four Royal Chain Heroes for September 2020 have been chosen! Here they are:
Michelle Patterson
Michelle Patterson, a stage-four breast cancer survivor, is a leading advocate for modern, holistic health and wellness. She’s the president and founder of the Global Women Foundation, a public charity that provides support, leadership, and advocacy for women’s initiatives around the globe.
She’s also a motivational speaker throughout her community, is a board member for Loyola Marymount University, and is CEO of the Women’s Conference, the nation’s largest and longest-running conference for women in North America. She’s also the founder, president, and CEO of the Real Share, a digital media company with a focus on helping women find their voice.
Royal Chain arranged for Barbara Parker, founder of Barbara Parker’s Diamond Vault in Conroe, Texas, to gift Patterson with a gold, diamond, and amethyst bracelet (Parker nominated Patterson). The rose gold in the piece symbolizes October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and the amethyst provides natural tranquilizing properties to help healing.
Avery Culpepper
Avery Culpepper is a registered nurse who has been working on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic caring for patients with the virus. Romantique Jewelers in Bridgeton, Mo., is awarding Avery aquamarine earrings (aquamarine is her birthstone).
Elaine Canty
Elaine Canty (left) was supposed to be retired after more than 40 years of working as a registered nurse, but was asked to stay on longer to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canty was on the forefront of another health crisis in the 1980s—AIDS—taking care of patients grappling with a disease that wasn’t yet understood by medical experts. She was able to retire last week, and her daughter (pictured with Canty above) has followed in her footsteps and is a nurse.
Toodies Fine Jewelry, in Quincy, Mass., will be gifting Canty with an Italian Cable bangle to “celebrate her passion for Italy,” according to a prepared statement.
Jory Zimmerman
Jory Zimmerman is a critical-care nurse practitioner who formerly worked in the jewelry industry but pivoted to health care after a hiking accident. When the pandemic hit, he moved from Maryland to New York of his own free will to help medical practitioners and patients in what was then the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak.
His father, owner of Windy City Diamonds in Chicago, nominated him and will gift him a Royal Chain Woven collection bracelet.
Retailers across North America are encouraged to submit nominations for the Royal Chain Heroes initiative. The nomination form can be found here.
(All photos courtesy of Royal Chain Group)
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