Community Program Details
Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada
Autism Speaks is Zale Corporation's newest corporate partner, with a portion of the proceeds from every piece of jewelry sold from the exclusive The Shared Heart® Collection donated to Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada. Available in all Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers and Mappins Jewellers stores, this collection features designs evoking the special love shared by two hears beating as one.
Autism Speaks is the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the U.S. The organization is dedicated to funding research and increasing awareness for this brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. Recognizing the importance of supporting social causes, Zale has committed a minimum donation of $200,000 to Autism Speaks US and $50,000 to Autism Speaks Canada as a part of this partnership.
To view an image from The Shared Heart® Collection or to find a store location near you, visit www.zales.com.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Zale Corporation has joined in the fight to create a world without breast cancer. In the United States, Zale supports Susan G. Komen for theCure, and we're also partnering with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
In October 2009, more than 100 Zale Store Support Center employees and their guests participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at NorthPark Center in Dallas, joining with 30,000 other runners and walkers to raise breast cancer awareness. The team raised $10,002 and was the 10th highest fund-raiser among 20 corporate participants.
Zale stores also support Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In honor of breast cancer awareness, Zales Jewelers, Gordon's Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Peoples Jewellers and Mappins Jewellers stores will be selling our exclusive Komen bracelet for $79.99 through December 31, 2009. A $25 donation from the sale of each bracelet will go directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. To date, over 19,000 bracelets have been sold since the October launch, totaling more than $475,000 in donations for breast cancer research. Set in Sterling Silver, each bracelet is comprised of cultured freshwater pearls and rose and white quartz, and is accented with a pink breast cancer charm. Each bracelet is packaged in a pink box and tied with a bow showing the pink ribbon, recognized internationally as the symbol for breast cancer awareness.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas grants special wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. We are proud of the support that our employees have provided to the Foundation throughout the years.
For the twelfth consecutive year and our fifth as Title Sponsor, Zale is pleased to support Wish Night 2009. In previous years, Zale has served as a Wish Night Co-Sponsor, donating merchandise for the silent auction and raffle and providing the assistance of employee volunteers who help staff the event. Zale also proudly supported the headquarters building campaign for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas in "adopting" The Wishing Place's Presentation Hall. In 2009, Zale Corporation participated in the Race for Wishes.
Zale Disaster Relief Fund
The Zale Disaster Relief Fund, Inc. was established in 1995 following the Oklahoma City bombings and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable fund in response to the September 11, 2001, tragedies. The fund has enabled Zale to assist employees in the field and the Store Support Center during times of personal need or crisis, such as a serious illness or injury, or when recovering from catastrophic weather or fire damage to their home. More than 140 Zale employees across the United States have received aid from the nearly half million dollars contributed by employees and raised through corporate events.
Linz Award
Part of the Zale corporate culture is to recognize exemplary leadership and volunteerism that enhance the life of fellow citizens. Each year we reaffirm this commitment through our sponsorship of the Linz Award - one of Dallas County's oldest and most prestigious civic honors. The Linz Award was created in 1924 by Simon Linz, one of the founders of Linz Jewelers, acquired by Zale Corporation in 1989. The award has recognized Dallas County citizens whose civic or humanitarian efforts have created the greatest benefit to the community. Now in partnership with The Dallas Morning News, Zale Corporation is proud to continue the legacy of this award.
Jewelers for Children
In 2003, we adopted a new community service program - Jewelers for Children(formerly Jewelers Charity Fund for Children). This organization was created by jewelry industry representatives to raise money for charities that primarily benefit children. Since 1999, nearly $32 million has been raised from the industry, including manufacturers, retail jewelers, watch companies, trade associations, and those who provide professional services to the industry. Jewelers for Children's recipient charities include Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, National CASA Association and Autism Speaks.
Salvation Army
In December 2009, Zale employees came together to support the community by sponsoring 280 Angels from the Salvation Army's Angel Tree.
The Salvation Army has been supporting those in needs since 1865 through social services that range from providing food for the hungry, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide.
North Texas Food Bank
Each November, Zale employees kick off the season of giving with the annual Canned Food Drive for the North Texas Food Bank, a nonprofit center for food distribution serving 13 counties. The Food Bank donates food and groceries to after-school programs, residential treatment programs, food pantries, emergency shelters, soup kitchens, senior citizen centers, low-income daycare centers and other social service centers. Approximately 377,600 people (13% of the population) in the Food Bank's service area live below the poverty level. Employee support of the Food Bank is another way to help Zale demonstrate our outreach in the community.