Jewelers for Children (JFC), the industry’s charity, will honor the Green Family (Robert, Marc and John) of Lux Bond & Green and Debra Puzio of QVC at the annual Facets of Hope celebration on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, a new venue for the event. The event culminates JFC’s fund raising efforts for the year and in 2010 attracted more than 1,300 industry guests during the JCK Show. The Greens and Puzio have generously agreed to serve as guests of honor at the event with the responsibility of assisting JFC in raising funds to benefit children who are the victims of catastrophic illness or life-threatening abuse and neglect. Each year, prominent industry leaders are honored by the charity.
“Bob, John and Marc represent one of the finest retail jewelers in the country and Debra is a powerhouse at QVC, the leading television shopping channel,” said Ed Bridge of Ben Bridge Jeweler, JFC Chairman. “Both are such dedicated supporters of the charity and will work diligently to make 2011 a truly great year.”The event will begin with cocktails at 6:15 p.m. in the South Seas Ballroom on the third level of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with dinner and the program beginning at 7:45 p.m. Anyone interested in attending or sponsorship opportunities can contact JFC at 212-687-2949 or info@jewelersforchildren.org. Details and participation forms are available at the JFC website, www.jewelersforchildren.org.
Gen-Next after-party
JFC will again be joining forces with the Gen-Next Jewelers to hold an exciting after-party immediately following the Facets of Hope. The after-party will take place in the Mix Lounge, located atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay offering sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip and providing the perfect atmosphere for a party. Cocktails and light desserts will be available. The event is open to underwriters of the Facets of Hope event and guests of Gen-Next Jewelers.
Jewelers for Children was founded in 1999 by the U.S. jewelry industry with the mission of helping children in need. Since its inception, JFC has donated more than $35 million to programs benefiting children whose lives have been affected by illness, abuse or neglect through their charity partners St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, and the National CASA Association. JFC also provides support to the Make-A-Wish Foundation International, and the Santa-America Fund. This nationwide success is due to the continuing generosity of jewelry trade organizations, jewelry and watch manufacturing companies, jewelry retail stores, individual jewelry professionals and jewelry consumers.
As part of the JFC Children’s Day celebration, all of JFC’s charity partners will announce on the same day how support from the jewelry industry has made a difference in the lives of children in need. The partners have also agreed to help make Children’s Day a media event across the country by generating publicity through their media channels. Jewelers everywhere will also have the opportunity to participate by utilizing the national event in their own local publicity. JFC is making materials available for jewelers to use in developing their own in-store activities and templates for local press releases, media alerts and customer notifications.
About Debra Puzio
Debra Puzio is the Director of Jewelry Merchandising for QVC. She began her retail career in apparel holding various positions with John Wanamaker, Apparel Affiliates and Ann Taylor.
In 1988, Debra joined M. Fabrikant & Sons as a Regional Field Director servicing regional department store chains including Boscov’s and Strawbridge and Clothier. It was during this time that Debra formed a strong bond with the Boscov family and organization. In 1993, Boscov’s recruited Debra for a position with the jewelry merchandising team.
In 2002, Debra became a member of the merchandising team at QVC. In this role, she focused on developing proprietary brands and establishing a broad portfolio of sterling designer brands. Debra expanded diamond resources to include strong alliances in India. In 2008, on behalf of QVC, Debra created the Designer Charms for Charity brand, raising money for various organizations including Jewelers for Children, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.
Debra currently serves on the Jewelers for Children board of directors and is active on the fundraising committee
About Robert Green
Robert E. Green serves as Chairman of the Board of Lux Bond & Green and is the grandson of founder Morris Green. He joined the family business in 1947, which at the time, consisted of one store and 15 employees. Bob served as Operations Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 393rd Regiment of the 99th Infantry Division during World War II serving in Belgium and Germany. He returned to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree.
Bob is well-known among industry organizations and has served in many positions, including past president, treasurer and director of the Jewelers of America, serving 11 years in total. He is a past president of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, past chairman of the marketing committee of the American Gem Society and a former director of the Jewelry Information Center. He is also a former member of the De Beers Carat Club and is a Registered Jeweler in the American Gem Society and a member of the Boston Jewelers Club. He served as chairman of an industry wide, ad hoc committee that put together the original Gemstone Enhancement Manual. In 1993, Bob was elected to the National Jeweler “Hall of Fame” and in 2004 he was elected as a Sovereign in the Gemological Institute of America’s League of Honor.
Bob and his wife Nancy reside in Connecticut and have three children.
About Marc Green
Marc is a proud fourth generation jeweler who has worked in the family jewelry, watch and fine giftware business, Lux Bond & Green, since 1966, and currently serves as Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. His quote “This is a happy business” is known by many.
Marc has a B.S. B.A. from Babson College and is a 1974 graduate of the Gemological Institute of America with a Graduate Gemologist degree, and attained the titles of Registered Jeweler in 1975, Certified Gemologist in 1976 and Certified Gemologist Appraiser in 1983 with the American Gem Society. He has consulted, appraised and testified for the IRS, US Justice Department, FBI and various State Courts.
Among his various corporate, civic and board of directorships, Marc has been involved with the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Hartford Ballet, Hillstead Museum, Better Business Bureau, Commissioning Committee of the USS Connecticut, YMCA of Hartford, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Chrysalis Center, Jewelers of America, New England Appraisers Association, American Watch Guild and the American Gem Society. He also has served on the Committees of the Hartford Golf Club, Babson College Alumni Association, Kingswood Oxford School, University of Hartford Associates, The Renbrook School, West Hartford Center Business Association, and the Connecticut Jewelers Association. Marc is also a speaker and panelist for many local and national associations and organizations and has received numerous awards for these activities.
Marc currently is the Chairman of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Chairman of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewelers Security Alliance and is a Corporator of Hartford Hospital, as well as being a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace.
Marc resides in Connecticut with his wife of 35 years, Sheryl, they have three children.
About John A. Green
John A. Green serves as president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green. John graduated from Boston College in 1978 and in 1979 graduated as a Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). He earned the titles of Registered Jeweler (RJ) and Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA) with the American Gem Society (AGS) in 1981. In 1992 John was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Lux Bond & Green.
John has served on several organizations within the community and the jewelry industry including the Hartford Old State House, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Connecticut Science Center, the Bushnell Park Foundation, Theater Works, the Hartford Ballet, the Hartford Downtown Council, and the Young Presidents Organization. He also served as the Chairman of Jewelers of America and the Jewelry Information Center.
John resides in Connecticut with his wife of 31 years, Norma Jean, they have four children.
