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Donna Distefano Supports the Diamond Empowerment Fund

Music and media mogul Russell Simmons is most famous for creating Def Jam Records. He also co-founded the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) to support education initiatives in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource with the goal of helping to develop and empower a new generation of African leaders.

Donna Distefano, a Designer Ambassador for D.E.F. is announcing the debut and sale of Illumination bracelets that will benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

 Together with co-designer Elizabeth Hamrick, Distefano has created a line of Illumination bracelets that are stylish, symbolic, and versatile. Each bracelet bears a silver emblem representing the values of D.E.F.: transformation, tranquility, and strength. Set with diamonds, the silver symbols slide on leather-look Ultrasuede straps, making them suitable for men and women as well as animal friendly. For every purchase of an Illumination collection bracelet a $20 donation is made to the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Simmons approached Distefano for this project because of her commitment to creating sustainable jewelry. All jewelry by Donna Distefano is handmade in the USA but often incorporates fair trade gemstones from African countries such as Malawi. Using diamonds that have been legally traded through legitimate channels for a charity piece is a natural extension of the “giving back” program that Distefano has promoted since the inception of her business in 1994. Distefano’s goal is to give back to the communities where the raw materials she uses in her collections are produced.

Available for pre-order. Debuts summer 2013.

The Environmental Defense Fund

Beginning in 2008 with annual Earth Day benefits for the Environmental Defense Fund, Donna Distefano continues to show support by donating 10% of the Feather ring sales to EDF. The Environmental Defense Fund is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are access to clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and flourishing ecosystems.

Women for Women

Donna Distefano continues her support of Woman for Women International a charity she was introduced to by friend and soprano Jāma Jandroković. Distefano created the Baroque Heart earrings inspired by Jandroković’s album and benefit performance for Women for Women International at Carnegie Hall. 10% of sales of the Baroque Heart earrings continue to benefit this important charity who provide women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies.

One Kid One World

As an advisory board member of OneKid OneWorld, Stephanie March visits places like the Nyamasare Girls Secondary School in Suba, Kenya in order to give direct assistance to students in need. Donna Distefano helps raise awareness of the good work OKOW does by donating jewelry for fund raising events. Donna continues her support of OKOW by offering the 22-karat sustainable gold ADORNA pendant featuring Fair Trade Malawi rubies as an ongoing fundraiser. 30% of the sales of Adorna will be donated to OneKid OneWorld.

American Italian Cancer Foundation

Donna Distefano Ltd. proudly supports the American Italian Cancer Foundation by pledging 10% of the sales of the Sunlight earrings to this worthy cause.

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