Press Releases

Jewelers of Louisiana Fund to Assist Jewelers Impacted by Floods

Published

9 years ago

January 19, 2017

INSTORE Staff

(Press Release) New Orleans, LA – Over 100 people employed in the jewelry industry were affected by the August floods in South Louisiana.

Jewelers of Louisiana, a statewide organization representing over 1,500 employees, has established a fund to help anyone in the jewelry industry affected by the recent events. Over $3,700 has been raised by the fundraising drive.

Who can apply?

Applicant must be a current employee of the jewelry industry and have sustained flood damage/loss of property and belongings in order to be eligible to apply. Second homes or empty homes are not eligible to receive assistance.

Eligible applicants must have experienced total loss to their home/dwelling and have not received payment from insurance carrier. Applicants may receive a maximum of one grant per incident/per household, with a maximum of a $500 grant for assistance per calendar year.

How do people apply?

1. Applicant applies online for assistance according to criteria set up by the Jewelers of LA Board of Directors
2. A member of The Baton Rouge Area Foundation Processing team reviews applications and makes an assessment as to approval or denial.
3. If approved, Processing will verify employment within the jewelry industry.
4. The application then goes to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation independent committee for another review and final approval.

Visit this link between Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 to fill out the application.

Why did Jewelers of Louisiana collaborate with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation?

Using the foundation provides an important advantage to all involved: Companies do not pay taxes on contributions, and employees receiving grants do not pay income taxes. In addition, this allows for the board of directors of Jewelers of Louisiana to be completely separate as the funds are allocated.

To make a donation, visit http://www.employees1st.org/jewelersofla.

After 35 Years in Kent, Bonaci Fine Jewelers Found the Right Partner to Close the Right Way

Bob Bonaci spent 35 years building a jewelry business and community presence in Kent, Washington. When he decided it was time to retire, he knew the process would take careful planning — and the right help. Fellow jewelers who’d been through it pointed him to Wilkerson. The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson’s hands-off approach let Bonaci step back while the team handled every detail, meeting his personal and financial goals throughout. “It is phenomenal, the success that we’ve had.” Watch Bob share his retirement story.