Gems of Hope
This January, TrueNorth has dedicated the month to sponsoring Gems of Hope, Inc., a local non-profit organization offering gifts of jewelry mounted on inspirational cards to cancer patients. The patients are invited, along with family and friends, to attend workshops to create works of art for others. On Monday, TrueNorth employees had the opportunity to work alongside Gems of Hope to design and make these beautiful pieces of jewelry for others.
According to their website, Gems of Hope was inspired by Tory, a 9-year-old living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While her mother was in treatment for cancer, Tory wrote daily notes of encouragement, leaving them where her mother would see them. The pair also attended art therapy classes together. Tory's mother recognized that the love behind her daughter's notes and the opportunity to create art were valuable components in her recovery. She joined two friends also affected by cancer in founding a non-profit organization that would work to spread this love and hope to others.
Gems of Hope, Inc. was founded in July of 2005, and now the charity has expanded to include locations throughout the Midwest. Gems of Hope works with familities undergoing cancer to help them process emotions, connect with others, and most importantly inspire cancer patients.
To find out more about Gems of Hope, please visit their website (www.gemsofhope.com) where this meaningful jewelry is also available for purchase. The organization also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities where community members can help at workshops, provide office assistance, or coordinate their Hope Blooms daffodil fundraiser. To get involved in Gems of Hope, call (319) 393-9681 or email office@gemsofhope.com.
Thank you, Gems of Hope for doing such wonderful work. You are impacting the lives of thousands throughout the area, and we are proud to sponsor you. Onward!