Jewelers of America (JA) is continuing its support for the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children (JCF), a nonprofit organization that raises funds for three children’s charities—the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

According to JA president and CEO Matthew Runci, the JA board of directors has pledged to help raise $250,000 among JA member stores in 2002. To date, JCF has provided nearly $4 million to the three organizations.

All JA member stores received a JCF donation canister, and JA has encouraged its members to take part in fund raising by running special promotions and staging a weeklong, in-store campaign in April, including:

• a watch battery replacement program in which jewelers donate proceeds to JCF;

• inviting consumers to place a monetary contribution into the JCF canister;

• performing minor services such as watchband sizing or jewelry cleaning for free, and asking that customers make a donation to the JCF canister in return.

JA is making available fund-raising tools such as JCF lapel pins for store employees; JCF tent cards for countertop display; ad slicks that can be imprinted with store name and logo for use in local newspapers and other print publications; and a press release that can be customized for local media.

Each retailer that raises $500 will receive a ticket to the JCF Facets of Hope dinner in Las Vegas in June, and retailers that raise $250 will be recognized in the event’s journal.

To request fund-raising materials or a JCF donation canister, call (800) 223-0673.