Press Releases

Gem Legacy Launches Campaign to Fund Solar Panel for Orphans

The $5,120 giving campaign will help the marginalized who live in gem mining regions.

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2020

INSTORE Staff

Gem Legacy Launches Campaign to Fund Solar Panel for Orphans

(PRESS RELEASE) Gem Legacy is launching its 2020 Focus on Health, with a campaign to supply the Mwatate Children’s Home, an orphanage in Kenya, with a solar panel. Gem Legacy is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to education, vocational training, and local economies in East African colored gemstone mining communities.

“The Mwatate Children’s Home is a community effort and its success in supporting the kids has been largely due to the presence of gemstones – but the need is greater than the local ability to fund it,” says Roger Dery, executive director of Gem Legacy. “Our vision is that the global gem and jewelry community will rally around the marginalized in colored gemstone mining communities.”

Jimmy Degroot

Smith and DeGroot Release ‘A Vendor Perspective’ Podcast Episode

Jimmy Degroot

Video: Split Sales Require Effort

Jimmy Degroot

The Business of Jewelry Podcast Special Edition (Part 2)

The home houses over 30 children, age 5-18, in the region of southern Kenya where tsavorite garnet is found. Electricity costs are a large burden on the home’s finances and the cost of the solar panel will pay for itself over a five-year period through the savings the home will collect through lower electricity costs.

The solar panel will benefit the children in two major areas: (1) hot water for personal hygiene and sanitary facilities and (2) light for educational pursuits, including homework.

The children are all orphans or do not have a family to live with for various reasons and the home supports them mentally, emotionally, and physically. Mwatate Children’s Home seeks to ensure that the orphans are equipped to flourish as adults when they need to leave the home.

For more information or to donate, email info@gemlegacy.org, visit here or follow on Instagram @thegemlegacy and on Facebook @thegemlegacy.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”