A new fundraising organisation is asking American jewellers and consumers to donate scrap gold and silver jewellery to help fund the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Japan.
Launched by a group of US jewellers, the Jewellers for Japan fundraising organisation has arranged for the donated jewellery to be refined and converted to cash by refiner Rio Grande and then be sent directly to the American Red Cross.
Jewellers for Japan co-chair Julianne Paulsen (CEO of Viaggio Bracelet) said 100 percent of monies raised would go directly to the Red Cross.
“It’s heartbreaking for all of us to watch those images of people suffering, coming across the TV every night,” she said.
“This is something our industry can do that will make a difference. We all have scrap gold and silver. Rather than just send it in for a cheque, let’s send it in for the benefit of those in Japan who have lost everything, including their loved ones.
“Personally, I can’t think of anything better we could do with our scrap gold and silver.”
Co-chair Jacques Voorhees (CEO of VeriChannel) added: “We’re hoping the campaign goes viral. To make it happen, we’ll be harnessing online social media with Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-In campaigns to spread the word.”
Actress Mariel Hemingway and her partner Bobby Williams are acting as ambassadors for the campaign.
In addition to seeking donations from jewellers, the organisation’s website also provides step-by-step advice on how jewellers can arrange donations from their local community, via an outreach program that invites consumers to donate unwanted gold and silver jewellery, via local stores.