Over the course of several years, IJO members have been remarkably generous with donations allowing them to leave their mark on many of their conference host cities. “With the help of our membership IJO has donated in excess of $350,000 to charities such as Make-A-Wish, First Candle, St. Jude’s, Royal Family KIDS, North Texas Food Bank, Jewelers for Veterans, Paws for Patriots, The Jeff Gordon Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and Cure Autism Now,” says IJO President and CEO Jeff Roberts. “In light of the recent hurricanes and flooding which devastated parts of Houston, our hope is to leave this same mark when they host our next conference in March.”
IJO will be matching all member donations up to $25,000 and proceeds will benefit the Houston Food Bank. IJO is asking both jeweler and vendor members to join together to accrue a matching donation of cash and/or scrap gold of any size.
The Houston Food Bank is a solution to both hunger and food waste. Nationally recognized by Feeding America as Food Bank of the Year in 2015, the Houston Food Bank is the largest source of food for hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties. Each year, the Food Bank feeds 800,000 individuals through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other charities. Founded in 1982, the Houston Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Roberts continued, “It is our goal to “give back” to this devastated community and we hope to be able to make a significant impact for the Houston Food Bank and its wonderful mission”.
IJO’s conference will be March 10-13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and the Houston Convention Center. For further information on IJO or to contribute to this fund, call IJO directly at 800-624-9252.
