Jewelry Industry Members Support CASA

In addition to the organizational support from JFC, a number of individual JFC supporters have embraced the CASA cause. Primarily owners and executives of jewelry companies, these individuals are affiliated with local CASA programs as volunteers, donors and board members. Following are profiles of four dedicated CASA supporters and JFC members.

Edward Dayoob has been in the jewelry business for 45 years and founded Fred Meyer Jewelers in 1973. He became a senior vice president of Fred Meyer in 1989 and was later named president and chief executive officer of the jewelry division. The company is now the nation's fourth largest fine jewelry business with 441 stores in 38 states.

Dayoob's relationship with CASA for Children in Portland, Oregon began eight years ago. At that time, his colleague Mike Don was serving the board of directors. Dayoob first became involved in the program's golf tournament, recruiting other sponsors and players. Since that time, Dayoob has made CASA a primary charity both for himself and his company.

"I'm totally impressed with the CASA organization," says Dayoob. " 'Everyday Heroes' (National CASA's recruitment video) hits home and reminds me every time I see it why I'm involved. I'm the youngest of 12 kids myself, so I remember what it was like not to have a lot of food in the house. If we can't take care of the children, we're in trouble."

As a JFC board member and charity program committee member, Dayoob explains "This industry has a big heart and does good things for children."

When JFC began considering support for a fourth nationwide charity, Dayoob suggested National CASA. "The charity programs committee was very impressed with CASA from the outset. We were looking for a nonprofit organization that would not only use the money well but also get the jewelry industry involved in their local communities. I'm delighted to have played a part in bringing JFC and CASA together."

Mary Jaeger, executive director of CASA for Children in Portland, values Fred Meyer as her leading corporate supporter. "Our program is 18 years old and from the very beginning, Fred Meyer Jewelers has been an instrumental partner in helping the kids we serve." This help has taken so many forms-service on our board, volunteers coordinating our golf tournament, support through the Fred Meyer Foundation, and donations of stunning jewelry for special events. Jaeger added, "Ed is always willing to address the crowd on behalf of abused children."

Dayoob readily shares the credit. "Our whole jewelry division is involved with the local CASA chapter-from the buyers to the regional managers. Dave Deatherage, our chief financial officer, serves on the board. And Cheryl Zander, group VP of merchandising and distribution, works very hard recruiting vendors for the golf tournament."

Jaeger concludes, "Ed is an extremely successful person who lives the value that giving back to the community is a responsibility of good businesses. He comes from a large family himself and is the father of two successful sons. Small wonder he is such an advocate for finding safe homes for CASA kids!"

Stephanie and Howard Sherwood have both been involved in community service since before they were married 39 years ago. Their family business, Daniel's Jewelers, was started by Howard's father in the 1950s. The company now has 44 stores in Southern California.

Stephanie became a CASA volunteer after she retired three years ago noting, "I've always had so much concern for children." For years she read about things happening to children resulting in their being taken out of their homes and wondered who was looking after their interests. "Then I heard about CASA from a friend and I said 'When I'm not working, that's what I want to do!'"

Howard supports Stephanie's decision to be a CASA and stays involved in his own way whether he's running Daniel's Jewelers or serving on the board and raising funds for JFC, . "Hardly a night goes by that some of our discussion doesn't revolve around CASA," he says. In 2002, he was honored by JFC for his outstanding service. He was pleased a year later to hear that CASA was to be a JFC beneficiary.

Charla Gardner, program supervisor with CASA of Los Angeles, says "We feel very thankful to have Stephanie as a CASA volunteer because she takes her commitment very seriously. She's a very good report writer, which is essential because that's what really helps the court make positive changes in the child's life."

"CASA is one of the best-kept secrets in the country," says Howard. "That's why I think it's important that part of JFC's support is being used to expand CASA's marketing efforts."

The Sherwoods feel CASA has a real impact on society. As Howard puts it, "We've been blessed with many opportunities. But so many children are cheated out of that." He adds, "It's a noble task for an adult to give their time and energy as a volunteer. I just wish more people were doing it."

Howard is proud of JFC and the industry noting, "JFC brought together jewelry retailers and manufacturers-competitors-all sitting together on a common board, giving all they have to really make a difference in the lives of kids." JFC now distributes nearly $4 million annually because the entire industry has stepped up their support."

JFC's original three charities, all of which continue to receive support, are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, and the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Howard says that it seemed important to expand beyond the cause of young people afflicted with life-threatening diseases and address other burdens faced by children.

Bill Montalto, Sr., is chief administrative officer and executive vice president of Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers Inc.-the US operations of London-based Signet Group PLC, the world's largest specialty retail jeweler with over 1,700 stores. Montalto has been with the company for 18 years and is in charge of such areas as marketing, public relations, credit operations, and distribution.

Montalto is in his second year on the board of the CASA/GAL Program of Summit County in Akron, Ohio, recently elected as vice chairman. He also chairs the resource development and marketing committee.

"CASA is working in an area where I believe children find themselves at a great disadvantage-as victims of abuse or neglect," says Montalto. "Anything I can do to help recruit more volunteers to advocate for more children is something to which I'm drawn. Our legal/children's services system does not have enough resources to provide that kind of paid support, so it takes volunteers to do the job."

"Bill is an awesome board member, the kind of person any CASA director would hope to have," says Julie Wayman, executive director of Summit County CASA. When Bill first joined he invited Wayman to Sterling for lunch with his marketing/communications director. Together, they spent hours drafting a new CASA organizational chart and coming up with proposed goals, numbers, needs and plans. Bill then assisted the program in conducting a study to help understand local public awareness levels for CASA. Explaining the value of such focused attention from a prominent community member, Wayman says, "We used that data and our earlier notes to help lead the board through a strategic planning session last year-a very important step for us."

Of his board service, Montalto states "It's very rewarding to organize a promotional or fundraising event that is successful, that will help us build more awareness and lead to recruiting and training more volunteers."

Sterling's chairman and CEO, Terry Burman, was involved in the establishment of the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children and currently serves as chairman. The company continues to provide leadership and financial resources to the organization.

"The enthusiasm and commitment of Sterling's 13,000 associates is immeasurable when it comes to supporting our corporate charities," Montalto says. "Our associates have been fully briefed on each JFC recipient charity and have the communication skills to provide information about each cause, including National CASA."