2021 Annual Report December 2021
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY
E L B A T
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F R O M
T H E
P R E S I D E N T
Message from RJO Foundation President, Mike Pribyl
A B O U T
T H E
F O U N D A T I O N
RJO Foundation Mission & Vision
B O A R D
O F
D I R E C T O R S
Meet Our RJO Foundation Board
F U N D R A I S I N G
H I S T O R Y
Fundraising Campaigns and Contributions
R J O
1 0 0 +
C L U B
Foundation Annual Giving Club
G I F T S
I N
K I N D
&
M E M O R I A L S
Additional Gifts & Memorials Honoring the RJO Family
S H I N E
B R I G H T
L E G A C Y
S O C I E T Y
Keep the Foundation in Your Estate Planning Plans
S C H O L A R S H I P
W I N N E R S
RJO Members Awarded Foundation Scholarships
T E S T I M O N I A L S
Meet some of the RJO Scholarship Winnters
CONTENTS
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L E T T E R
PRESIDENT
A
With sincere thanks, Mike Pribyl, Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry & Gifts
R E T T E L
I am extremely passionate about helping as many RJO members and vendors as we can and, along with my dedicated board, will continue to promote the Foundation's mission. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns, ideas and/or comments.
M O R F
Because of this, I know what a difference receiving additional help can make in the pursuit of continued education. In 2015, I pushed for RJO to establish a Foundation. My thought was we can do far more for our membership together than we can do separately. So, we started the Foundation in the Spring of 2015 with zero dollars and a Gold for Good campaign at our summer show. From that first campaign, and with all of our generous RJO supporters, we have grown and grown, this year alone providing nearly $23,000 in scholarships to our RJO members. I personally think there are a lot of stories like my Dad and his brothers out there, and that’s a huge part of our growth. Let’s face it, none of us really got where we are without a little help. The RJO Foundation has core beliefs in bettering our members. We have always offered educational sessions at each show, but the Foundation takes it further, helping our members get their own degree, certification, etc. on their own.
E H T
My passionate commitment to the RJO Foundation is so deeply rooted because of my family. My father, Hubert George Pribyl, was happy as an automobile machinist at my grandfather's small Chevrolet dealership in Elysian, MN in the 1930’s. However, when World War II began, he and his three brothers went to war. When the war ended Hubert, Robert and Frank Pribyl had to be re-trained as watchmakers and jewelers because of their war disabilities. They were offered this new training through the GI Bill. They started their new lives after the war with educational help through grants from the US government based on their service to our country. They all three became successful in their careers in the jewelry industry, and were always thankful for the help they received for their training and education.
Mike Pribyl Foundation President Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry & Gifts Keokuk, Iowa
Meet Our Board of Directors
Deb Borgemoen Board Member Wickersham Jewelry, Inc Rothschild, Wisconsin
Sheri Ihde Foundation Vice President Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group
Neenah, Wisconsin
Kimberly Gassen Board Member Grace Jewelry Columbus, Nebraska
Mark Cormier Foundation Treasurer Hager Jewelry, Inc Hutchinson, Minnesota
Mike Buley Board Member Jewelry Ads That Work Edmonds, Washington
Kymberlee Setterberg Board Member Setterberg Jewelers Sun City, Arizona
Executive Director: Sarah Streb Associate Executive Director: Connie Miller
Amy Mefford Board Member Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry & Gifts Keokuk, Iowa
ABOUT THE RJO FOUNDATION
MISSION The RJO Foundation supports the advancement of the jewelry industry by providing scholarship and grants to RJO retail owners, vendor owners and their employees.
VISION Our advancement of the jewelry industry provides opportunities to ensure continued growth of the industry. The RJO Education Foundation mobilizes the giving power of our members and vendors to continue to make an impact in the industry.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are awarded twice per year in the Spring and Fall. Applications may be completed year-round at www.rjomembers.com.
ORIGIN
The Department of Treasury recognized the RJO Foundation as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization on July 6, 2015.
FUNDRAISING HISTORY
SHOW CAMPAIGNS The RJO Foundation hosts fundraising campaigns at each RJO Buying Show. Year-to-date the Foundation has raised
$113,878
through show fundraising efforts.
2015 St. Louis
Gold for Good
$17,000
2016 Phoenix
Auction & Raffle
Indianapolis
$6,615
$50 for 50
$8,300
2017 Tampa
Super Bowl Squares
Denver
Gold for Good
$8,273
$4,836
2018 Savannah
Sparkle for Scholars
Minneapolis
Rockstar Raffle
$5,360 $4,260
2019 Nashville
Diamond Draw
Schaumburg
$6,208
Fill Our Bucket
$9,591
2020 Houston Virtual
Jewelry Sales Art Auction
$13,228
$10,822
2021 Spring Collections Cincinnati
$3,275
Jewelry & Art Sales
$16,110
MISSION The RJO Foundation 100+ Club is a group of RJO members that through their commitment together will impact the RJO Foundation Endowment Fund. Club members are dedicated to raising money to award scholarships exclusively to RJO member and vendor applicants wanting to further their education in the jewelry industry.
COMMITMENT We are extremely proud we have members willing to work together to make real changes for those working within our organization and wanting to grow their knowledge through education. Through our combined commitment each year, we will succeed in this goal. Financial commitment to be recognized as a 100+ Club member is $200 each year, $100 semi-annually. Invoices will be sent in May and November for $100 due in June and $100 due in December. As a member you will be recognized with a 100+ Club membership window cling to display in your store, acknowledged on special signage at each RJO Buying Show and given a recognition lapel pin to wear or place on your show badge. If interested in joining the RJO Foundation 100+ Club please contact Connie Miller, connie@rjomembers.com.
Nabil Abdallah, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group
Charlie Maneke, Maneke Jewelry
Brent Adleman, BELLARRI
Brian McCluskey, Montage Jewelry Care / GemShield
Dave Askew, Dave Askew Jewelers
Jennifer McIllece, Jewelry Innovations
AG Becker, Becker Jewelers
Doug Meadows, David Douglas Diamonds & Jewelry
Bill Becker, Becker's Jewelers
Prashant Mehta, DiaExpressions
Rich & Peggy Bennett, PK Bennett Jewelers
Connie Miller, RJO, Inc.
Steve Berkowitz, Sterling Reputation, Inc.
Alan Miller, Alan Miller Jewelers
John Bestgen, Bachman Jewelers
Robert Moussa, Bijou
Sanju Bhagwanji, AVA Couture
Tom Nelson, Nelson Jewelry
Gary Bond, Garrick Jewelers
Mike & Robin Noe, Noe's Jewelry, Inc.
Jeff Bramblet, Ross's Fine Jewelry
Lewis Pacheco, Pacheco's Jewelry & Gifts
Michael Buley, Jewelry Ads That Work
Amit Patel, Gem Star Independent LLC d/b/a Gem Star
Alisa Bunger, Chic Pistachio
Randall Pedersen, The Diamond Center
Earl Butler, KE Butler and Co. Jewelers
Kate Peterson, Performance Concepts Inc.
Michael Cardella, Michael's Fine Jewelry & Gifts
Mike Pribyl, Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry
Mary Beth Conwell, Ray Jewelers
Lisa Pribyl, Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry
Mark Cormier, Hager Jewelry Mark & Sarah Darter, Krekeler Jewelers, Inc. Brendon Davis, Thomas A Davis Jeweler Erica DelGardo, Erica DelGardo Jewelry Designs Anish Desai, Star Gems Inc. Terry Dickens, Herteen & Stocker Jewelers Lucas Doland, James Martin Jewelers Michael Doland, Doland Jewelers Mark Doris, Midas Chain Jayne Ervin, Jayson Jewelers Ltd. Marvin (Jay) Flaming, Jay Flaming Jewelers, Inc. Carol Garcia, Milano Jewelers Kim & Jed Gassen, Grace Jewelry Erika Godfrey, Hawthorne Jewelry Tiffany Gonzalez, Keep Me Connected Rick Gouthro, Diamond Emotions Robert Grant, Andrew Grant Diamond Center Joanna Gruver, Haywood's Westlake Kent Hanson, Hanson's Fine Jewelry EJ Hart, Hart's Jewelry Rob Hays, Victor Settle Jewelry Teresa Heeke, Disinger Jewelers Oz & Brenda Hefner, Oz's Jewelers Chrisie Hill, Thomas Hill Jewelers Sheri Ihde, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group Chintu Jain, Jewelex New York LTD. Ravi Jajoo, United Color Gems Jane Johnson, RM Johnson & Sons Jewelers Shelly Kastenschmidt, Diedrich Jewelers Scott Kaufman, Allison-Kaufman Allan King, Lammons Fine Jewelry Jimmy Lawson, JD & CO A Trung Do Goldsmith/Gem East Craig MacBean, Ostbye
Lenny Prion, The Edge by Abbott Jewelry Systems Alex Ramos, Plantation Jewelers Tim Ritter, Ritter Brothers Larry Rodgers, Lavish Jewelry Cleaner Joe & Brooke Schiavone, Z's Fine Jewelry Liz Schlauch, Barany Jewelers Stacey & Ginny Sears, Holland's Jewelers Joe Sebastian, Price Point Marketing Scott Seifert, Seifert Jewelry Kymberlee & Michael Setterberg, Setterberg Jewelers Kaushal Shah, VEER Danene Shumaker, Hart's Jewelry David Siminski, United Precious Metals Luisa Smith, Cornerstone Fine Jewelry Pam & Chuck Smith, Morrison Smith Fine & Custom Jewelers James Stinson, Diamond Classics Sarah Streb, RJO, Inc. Don & Dawn Sukach, D & D Jewelry Steven & Sandra Swan, Swan LTD. Bill Tanner, Goforth Jewelry Samantha Tupper, Winks Fine Jewelry Lori Van Duyne, Fernbaughs Robert Vecere Jr. & Linda Vecere, Vecere Jewelers James Vincent, Raleigh Diamond Johnny Wang, YCH, Inc. Josh Warshauer, Goldworks Edward Waters, Kelly Waters Todd Weber, Weber Jewelry Ross Wesdorp, Jewel-Craft Deb Wickersham-Borgemoen, Wickersham Jewelry Darwin Wilder, Gregory Jewelers Katherine Worth, GN Diamonds
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C Y S O CIE
PLANNED GIVING The Shine Bright Legacy Society, RJO Foundation’s planned giving society, is a community of thoughtful supporters who are leaving a legacy towards helping the next generation of independent jewelers continue their education. The Shine Bright Legacy Society was founded to recognize and honor the generous donors who have included the RJO Foundation in their estate plans. Too often, these gifts are unrecognized because they come at the end of their donors’ lives. The Legacy Society provides a way to celebrate and thank those donors who have made a commitment to our organization through the lasting impact of a planned gift.
The Shine Bright Legacy Society Pioneer Members Mike Pribyl, Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry (left) Bob Disinger, Disinger Jewelers
INCLUDING THE RJO FOUNDATION IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING
Estate planning is easy. It can be as simple as altering your will or changing the beneficiary on your IRA or insurance policy. The plans you make today help define your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried out. Through a proper will, you can have a significant impact on the causes you care about. You can play an instrumental role in building the future for members of the Retail Jewelers Organization through your personal designation. How do I make a planned gift to the RJO Foundation and become part of the Legacy Society? Simply complete the RJO Foundation Legacy Society Commitment Form. (Contact the office for a copy.) The completion of this form is not intended to be legally binding, but notification of intent. Please discuss your planned giving intentions with your professional financial advisor. The RJO Foundation is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization recognized by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN #47-3662930. Contributions are deductible as allowed by law. Making plans and updating them as needed can bring great satisfaction and peace of mind. Please check with your professional advisors to help in making sure your plans still meet your wishes. The purpose of this publication is to provide general gift, estate and financial planning information. It is not intended as legal or other professional advice. For assistance in planning charitable gifts with tax and other financial implications, the services of appropriate advisors should be obtained.
GIFTS IN KIND The following RJO members and vendors have contributed additional monetary donations throughout the year. Their generous support is truly appreciated and continues to help grow the RJO Foundation.
$1,000+ Prashant Mehta, DiaExpressions
$100- $999 Tiffany Gonzales, Keep Me Connected Nancy & Jackie Ivankovich, Hoyal Jewelers Orin & Tina Mazzoni, Orin's Jewelry
$0 - $99 Doug Meadows, David Douglas Jewelers Tom Nelson, Nelson Jewelry Mike & Lisa Pribyl, Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry Billy & Luisa Smith, Cornerstone Fine Jewelry
HONORED & REMEMBERED Donations were made to celebrate and honor these RJO members we lost this past year: Guy Benhamou, Paris 1901 William Blackmon, Blackmon's Jewelry Matthew Ihde, Jewelers Mutual Affiliation* George Kilko, Cameo Jewelers Bill Rosenfeld, Rosenfeld Jewelry Don Sanborm, Sanborn Jewelry *Received multiple memorials
Members listed below have been awarded scholarship funds from the RJO Foundation Scholarship Committee. Some recipients have received multiple awards. Suzanne Allcroft, LeeAnn’s Fine Jewelry Victoria Austin, Carlson Brothers Samuel Beckman, Greg Beckman Jewelers Cassidy Bergeon, Herteen & Stocker Jewelers Jordan Blunt, Moore's Jewelry Chris Brown, Thurber's Jewelers Jayne Anne Bryant, Wirt's Jewelers Maggie Cannon, EB Gray Jewelry Louisa May Carey, Fox Fine Jewelry Adam Carver, Taylor Made Jewelry Elizabeth Chamberland, Georgetown Jewelers Allison Colby, Orin Jewelers Gwynne Cotton, Bowers Jewelry Katherine Dahlkemper, Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Marshall Davidson, Cornerstone Fine Jewelry Audrey DeGeyter, J.R. Fox Jewelers Kate Dickens Long, Herteen & Stocker Jewelers Gina Dionne, Manns Jewelry Sierra Dubbeld, Haywood's Jewelers of Westlake Lisa Dumstorff, Becker Jewelers - IL Alexandra Genna, Genna Jewelers Joanna Graham, Disinger Jewelers Maeghaen Eley, Ross’s Fine Jewelers Maranda Elliott, Elliott Jewelers Michala Ernst, Grace Jewelry – NE Katelynne Eslick, Sugar Plum Jewelry Amanda Essick, Nelson’s Jewelry – IA Lori Evans, Rihner’s Jewelry Jason Paul Faust, James Martin Jewelers David Feldman, Henry's Fine Jewelry Kathy Fictorie, Windmill Park Jewelers Emily Ford, Wink's Jewelry Andrea Fox, Loch Jewelers Selina Gaines, Gaines Jewelry Sara Gellings, Gaines Jewelry Erin Gorsuch, Williams Jewelers Julie Gouldener, Nelson Coleman Jewelers Christine Graichen, Malloves Jewelers Aubrey Elise Haberman, Howes Diamond Jewelers Jordan Halter, Rodriguez’s House of Stones Teresa Heeke, Disinger Jewelers of Jasper Danielle Heflin, Becker Jewelers – IL Andrea Heredia, Cornerstone Fine Jewelry Katrina Carol Hopf, Disinger Jewelers of Jasper
Brittany Hopkins, Enhancery Jewelers Maria Hopkins, Enhancery Jewelers Arron Jones, Tammy's Jewelry Brittany Jones Lonthair, JF Jones Jewelers Jody Kahlich, Jewelry Doctors Jeremy Kappes, Stonecraft Jewelers Elizabeth Kensak, Windmill Park Jewelers Erica Kissack, Marshall Jewelry Kory Kowalski, Ellis Jewelers – Concord, NC Chloe Lamb, Z's Fine Jewelry Heather Lanphere, Hudson - Poole Tracey Love, Love’s Jewelry and Gifts - NC Alexander Lynn, Greg Lynn Jewelers Dylynn A. Makepeace, Makepeace Jewelers Alexander Malyszko, Your Private Jewelers Maeve Marks, Marks of Design Kimberly Medrano, Erica DelGardo Jewelry Design Rebecca Morgan, Thompson Jewelers - TN Drew Rasmussen, LR Jewelers Kelli Rathjen, Your Jeweler Angela Roberts, Vincent J. Jewelers Mindy Ross, Cline Jewelers Ryan Rosson, Rosson Company Lesley Ann Salas, Prestige Jewelers Rebecca Sampson, Hobbs Jewelers Brooke Schiavone, Z's Fine Jewelry Katie Schmidt, Jack Seibert Goldsmith Jeweler Patric Schwab, Rost Jewelers Alex Seifert, Seifert Jewelry Celina Simon, T.Simon Jewelers Lucinda Sloan, AM Lee Jeweler Stacey Smith, Bland's Jewelry LLC Meghan Stone, Nelson Coleman Jewelers Amanda Stuben, J Thomas Jewelers Samantha Jo Tupper, Wink’s Fine Jewelry Dina Unwin, Sterling Jewelers Jory Wall, Bakers Jewelry Ian A. Wamboldt, Rodriguez’s House of Stones Jordan Wentz, H Perry Jewelers Erik William Peterson, Hupp Jewelers Allison Williams, Leitzel’s Jewelry Amanda Williams, A & J Jewelers Noah Williams, William Williams Rare Jewels Emily Wulf, Wickersham Jewelry
Recipient Testimonials In their own words... While the impact of receiving an RJO Foundation Scholarship is vast, the best way to express the magnitude of this impact is through the personal words of our scholarship winners. The following statements from 2021 Scholarship Winners were submitted upon their scholarship acceptance. We invite you to take a moment to read through their words of gratitude to the generous donors who make this opportunity possible.
Alexandra Genna
"This scholarship has provided me the opportunity to proceed in my education at GIA, where I will enroll in Graduate Colored Stones. The impact of this scholarship goes far beyond the scale of me, but to the past four generations of jewelers in my family and to the hopeful next four."
Jordan Blunt
"I want to begin by telling you how grateful I am to have received this scholarship. It will give me an opportunity to continue my education without the worry of the expense of the classes. Although I work a full time job, I am actively preparing to join my wife’s family in their jewelry store as a bench jeweler."
Amanda Williams
"My experience has fostered a strong desire to continue growing this knowledge. I now wish to forward my career through an education from GIA, the world's foremost authority in gemology. As with any career advancement, acquiring the necessary credentials comes at a substantial cost. I currently reside in metro Atlanta where housing costs are rising rapidly. As a single income household, it would be difficult for me to afford full time tuition without the RJO scholarship. It will help cover tuition costs as well as travel expenses. I am grateful to be a recipient of this generous gift. "
2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
"I want to thank everyone at the RJO Foundation for picking me for a scholarship this year! I know it's been a hard year for everyone in our business and I am so very appreciative to everyone that contributes to the scholarship fund. Without your support, I would not be able to continue my education with the GIA. I am a wife and a mom of two all while I work full time at Hudson Poole. So this scholarship truly helps take some of the financial burdens of continuing my education. I will now start my Diamond and Diamond Grading course this summer! No time for a break when I have a class to rock!! Again thank you so much and I hope you know
Heather Lanphere
how much this means to me! I hope to one day be able to help someone reach their goals like you are helping me. "
"Thank you for this awesome opportunity to be rewarded a scholarship to relieve some of the financial burden that comes along with continuing my education to become a Graduated Gemologist. I’m beyond grateful and appreciative that I was chosen for such a great reward. I’m eager to continue and finish this part of my journey. My goal is to be a Graduate Gemologist by the end of 2022 in hopes of expanding my personal and professional career and with your help I will be able to complete that goal in a timely manner."
"Thank you so much for the honor of this scholarship. This award will help me reach two important goals: 1) providing the highest possible level of personal jewelry service through knowledge & experience; & 2) honoring the memories of my father & his parents as the third generation of our family in jewelry. The knowledge gained in this course will enable me to better serve my teammates at Cornerstone Fine Jewelry, my community of Springfield, MO, & as Vice President of the Missouri Jewelers Association."
JUNE 28, 2020
Mindy Ross
"I am grateful to the RJO Foundation for giving me the incentive needed to continue my jewelry education. Like all busy moms juggling work and home life, I have a million reasons NOT to begin a new adventure. Not only does this award help me financially, it also gives me the extra push I needed to advance my career in the jewelry industry. With this scholarship I can finally finish my Graduate Gemologist Degree!"
Rebecca Sampson Jayne "Anne" Bryant Marshall ASIA TRAVEL Davidson
"Wow! Best news I have received in quiet some time. Thank you so much for reviewing my application and awarding me this scholarship. The financial aid you have supplied will be of tremendous help in covering the costs of my first bench jeweler course. I’m even more excited to go!"
MORRIS FAMILY 2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
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