DIAMONDS GIVE: A VERY SPECIAL ON-LINE CHARITY AUCTION OF FINE JEWELRY AND CELEBRITY EXPERIENCES TO BENEFIT THE DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND™ (D.E.F.)
DECEMBER 6 -16, 2007
HOSTED ON eBAY GIVINGWORKS (www.ebay.com/diamondsgive)
The DIAMONDS GIVE charity auction will be hosted on eBay Giving
Works, the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay, starting
December 6th and running for 10 days. The Diamond Empowerment Fund has
engaged Auction Cause to produce the auction for eBay. Auction Cause is
a premier auction management agency specializing in high profile cause
marketing events for brands, nonprofits, and celebrities.
RUSSELL SIMMONS, LL COOL J, REV RUN & JUSTINE SIMMONS, PETRA NEMCOVA, BRETT RATNER, NAOMI CAMPBELL, CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, DEREK JETER AND HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE TO PARTICIPATE
The Russell Simmons’ created Diamond Empowerment FundÔ (D.E.F.), launching its first on-line fundraising event – DIAMONDS GIVE – with an exclusive charity auction of diamond jewelry and unique celebrity experiences is right on time!
The DIAMONDS GIVE fundraising auction will feature approximately 15 lots of donated fine diamond pieces, including an extraordinary diamond encrusted Ohm Watch from the Simmons Jewelry Co. made from unusual red Monkstone and 6.5 carats of pave diamonds, designed and worn by D.E.F. Chairman Russell Simmons.
Bidders will have the opportunity to win a professional photo shoot in New York or Los Angeles with a celebrity who is an advocate for D.E.F.’s mission of giving back to Africa through education programs in countries where diamonds are a natural resource. The recipient will also receive the Simmons Jewelry Co.’s Green Bracelet, with the bracelet box autographed by the celebrity. The recipient will receive a copy of the photo, and the photos will be published in one of the major weekly celebrity magazines, as well as on the D.E.F. website.
For further information, go to www.diamondempowerment.org and see more information below. -Amy Ko, Senior Editor
Celebrities participating include Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, Rev Run
& Justine Simmons, Petra Nemcova, Brett Ratner, Naomi Campbell,
Cedric The Entertainer, Holly Robinson Peete and Derek Jeter (who will
donate a New York Yankees’ memorabilia package). Jewelers participating
include Simmons Jewelry Co., Lorraine Schwartz (donating diamond hoop
earrings), Jack Vartanian , Jeri Cohen Fine Jewelry (donating a
diamond butterfly necklace and amethyst and diamond earrings), William
Goldberg Company (donating a pave diamond ring), Michelle Farmer Fine
Jewelry (donating a citrine and diamond ring set in 18K gold and
featured in Harper’s Bazaar magazine), Leo Schacter (donating a diamond
pendant), Phyllis Bergman (will donate a 14K three Circle Diamond
Pendant on a 18: gold chain), Calhoun Jewelers (donating an estate
piece), Fortunoff, Macy’s, Kwiat, Security Jewelers and Steinmetz
(donating a replica of the Monaco Grand Prix Racing Trophy).
The DIAMONDS GIVE charity auction will be hosted on eBay Giving
Works, the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay, starting
December 6th and running for 10 days. The Diamond Empowerment Fund has
engaged Auction Cause to produce the auction for eBay. Auction Cause is
a premier auction management agency specializing in high profile cause
marketing events for brands, nonprofits, and celebrities.
For further information, go to www.diamondempowerment.org.
ABOUT D.E.F.
Founded in 2007, The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit
international organization established by individuals and businesses in
the diamond and jewelry industry and others who are committed to the
empowerment of Africa. We believe education is one of the most critical
elements that powers society and empowers individuals to realize their
full human potential. D.E.F.’s mission is to raise money to support
education initiatives that develop and empower economically
disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural
resource. D.E.F. endeavors to partner with African education
organizations that have a proven methodology for helping young people
achieve success through self-determination, focus, and opportunity.
First Beneficiary: CIDA, A Model for Education in South Africa
D.E.F. launches its program efforts with the CIDA City Campus, located
in Johannesburg, South Africa, as the initial beneficiary of support.
CIDA (Community and Individual Development Association) City Campus has
reinvented traditional models of higher education. Every student at
this higher education institution is on a scholarship and comes from a
financially disadvantaged background. The deeply felt mission behind
CIDA is to provide mass-scale, quality higher education and to provide
an effective human development strategy for South Africa. Its vision is
to contribute to the economic and social transformation of the
sub-continent of Africa. Currently, there are 3,400 students enrolled
in CIDA in Johannesburg (1,400 students enrolled full-time in the
Bachelors of Business Administration degree program, and 2,000 students
in part-time technical/vocational training courses). There are plans to
replicate the CIDA model in other provinces of South Africa and beyond.
