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DEF Hosts Record-Breaking Diamonds Do Good Awards in 2018
The addition of a “Balloons for Good” on-site fundraising effort helped raise even more money for the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s mission.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s board of directors at the 2018 Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas
Las Vegas--The Diamond Empowerment Fund said this year’s Diamonds Do Good Awards, held May 31 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, was its most successful to date.
The record amount of funds it raised will go toward providing higher education scholarships and assistance to young people living in diamond producing countries where the diamond industry does business, as well as helping get the “diamonds do good” impact messaging in front of consumers.
For the first time, the event also featured a “Balloons For Good” on-site fundraising effort, which included three levels of balloons to purchase. Emceed by Awards Chair and president of Hearts On Fire, Caryl Capeci, and JCK News Director Rob Bates, the appeal helped raise even more money for DEF’s mission.
Botswana “Top Achiever” student and recent Yale graduate Opelo Matome represented DEF’s “Student Scholars” at the event, where she said, “I am ever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been granted through the support of organizations like the Diamond Empowerment Fund and my country’s prioritization of education, truly one of the most powerful catalysts for change.”
Honorees receiving Diamonds Do Good awards for their efforts in bringing about social impact change included De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver for his role in accelerating the professional advancement of women and the government of the Northwest Territories of Canada for its responsible diamond mining development policies.
Bruce Cleaver noted that “advancing women is an industry-wide issue. We all have an interest in strengthening the sector by making it more diverse, in making sure the benefits that diamonds can have are felt in the communities from which they come.”
Government of the Northwest Territories of Canada Premier Bob McLeod said, “Our government has made it a priority to ensure the multi-billion dollar diamond industry would benefit the Northwest Territories of Canada economy and residents, and protect the land, water, and wildlife for future generations.”
Lead sponsors of the event included the De Beers Group of Companies, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Signet Jewelers, Dominion Diamond Mines, Le Vian, Rosy Blue, Hearts On Fire and Forevermark.
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