Help Us Reach Our Goal and Have Fun Doing It!

By Richard Drucker

We are inundated with requests to donate money in our daily lives. Sure, the causes are all good and the need for charitable giving is understood in our society. But how does one choose when to give and to whom? The GIA Alumni Endowment Fund Campaign offers you a fun and exciting opportunity for philanthropy.

The need: When I took on the role as chair of this campaign, it was because of my longtime commitment to the Alumni Association. The fund was established for the benefit of all Alumni members. The interest generated from it will be strictly used for Alumni activities, such as guest speakers and educational seminars.

The fun: The Alumni Association is host to what has become THE event of the show each year in Tucson. This year’s gala, which included dinner, dancing and socializing, was once again a major success. So many people wanted to join us – nearly 500 attended – that we ended up turning people away.

Three years ago we added silent and live auctions to the event to help support the Alumni Endowment. Every dollar bid goes directly into the fund. Not only are you giving to the Endowment, but you can bid on some great products. Jewelry, sports memorabilia, books, gemological equipment, wine and more are available. What a great way to give!

A special thanks goes out to the GIA Gem Instruments division for its donation of the new digital-circuitry microscope, signed by G. Robert Crowningshield. It brought in the high bid of $5,000 at the live auction. A big thanks also goes to Joseph DuMouchelle for donating his time as the live auctioneer for the past three years.

Matching fund gifts over the last two years have also helped us move closer to our goal. Starla Turner, GIA Alumni Executive Council chair, Jon Phillips, past chair, and I, also past chair, all stepped forward in 2003 with a challenge grant to match $16,000 of the money raised at the gala.

Barry S. Block, president of The Jewelry Judge, a network of independent jewelry appraisers, offered to match $10,000 this year. Adding his gift to the $21,000 we took in at auction, we raised a total of $31,000. Although we are only a fraction of the way to meeting our goal, we know we can make it happen with your help. I challenge others to step forward and match the funds for next year’s auction.

But remember – you don’t have to wait for the auction to make a donation. You can give anytime during the year. And we aren’t just looking for individual donations, your chapter can also give to the campaign. The North Texas Chapter, for example, stepped up and gave $10,000 to sponsor GemFest Texas at the Midas show last year.

All of that money went directly into the Alumni Endowment Fund.

Remember, your donation is tax deductible. So next year, be sure to attend the Tucson Dance Party and Auction. Reserve your ticket early – don’t take the chance of being turned away at the door. Get your bids in early and then enjoy the show and the fabulous
dancing. You, too, can be a part of the fun.