Shane Co., a Colorado-based jeweler, has partnered up with the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) to give back to children and schools in underserved communities across the United States. More than 9,000 students and over 375 classrooms have benefited from Shane Co.’s donation across 13 states, each in the communities their storefronts are located.
The Kids in Need Foundation provides needed school supplies to students and teachers.
The donation encompasses a two-phase roll out of backpacks filled with school supplies for under-resourced schools across the country. In the first phase, backpacks were filled by Shane Co.’s own employee volunteers who donated a combined 1600 hours of their time to see the mission through. The second phase has provided underserved schools with school supplies and teacher appreciation totes for the 2021 spring semester.
“With a focus on supporting teachers and students in schools most in need nationwide, Kids In Need Foundation believes that every child in America should have equal opportunity and access to a quality education, as does the entire Shane Co. team.” Rordan Shane, President & CEO of Shane Co., said. “Giving back to kids in need and supporting teachers in under-served schools has been empowering, rewarding and especially necessary in 2020. Shane Co. employees loved assembling and donating backpacks full of supplies with handwritten notes of encouragement to students and putting together boxes of supplies for our local heroes, teachers.”
The partnership with the Kids in Needs Foundation was chosen by Shane Co. employees and the company honored their employees by offering three paid days to volunteer their time.
“As a fourth-generation, family-owned jeweler, our team members are an invaluable part of our extended family. As we allow our employees to use work hours to volunteer their time and support with the chosen organization, it only felt right to have them assist in selecting a non-profit partner in their local community whose mission would be close to their heart.” Rordan Shane said.
Shane Co. employee puts together a backpack full of supplies for local under-resourced students
Shane Co.’s partnership with the KINF fundamentally “aims to create equitable learning environments by supporting schools where the enrollment is primarily composed of students who are Black, Indigenous, and children of color.”
Shane Co.’s $100,000 donation for the 2020-2021 school year marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership with KINF.
“A lot of my 1st graders don’t come to school with supplies, being able to give them their own set at school as well as letting the take some home has been incredible,” A teacher who benefited from the Shane Co. and Kids in Need Foundation said. “It gives them a sense of having something of their own that they don’t have to share. Having the extra glue sticks, scissors, folders, and sharpeners is great as well. The individual pouches for each student help them learn responsibility by keeping up with their own things.“
School supplies are a basic need in education.
The diamond and jewelry industries are undoubtedly a significant force for sustainable development. Apart from the beneficial effects on employment, livelihoods and the global economy, it should not be underestimated that entire communities are directly influenced by the trade, both locally in the United States and in diamond-producing communities around the world. Shane Co.’s commitment to giving back to their communities is another example of how Diamonds Do Good.