April 20, 2012
HARTFORD, CT, April 2012 When Bob La Perla, owner of the upscale West Hartford jewelry store, La Perla Fine Jewelers, in Blue Back Square, approached Naomi Tussin of Avon, noted jewelry designer of beautiful Naomi Jewelry, to suggest a joint project which would be used as a fundraiser for both autism and HARC, an organization serving people with autism and intellectual disability, Tussin was delighted.
In her words, “I have donated my jewelry to HARC’s Annual Auction for years now. A friend who has a son with autism introduced me to HARC many years ago when she chaired the HARC Auction, and I really fell in love with the organization, its mission and that event – and I just never left. I also know a few people whose families have been touched by autism, and obviously, anything I can do there, I’m happy to do. Increasing community awareness of these disabilities has become quite important to me – and I like being able to use my jewelry to help accomplish that.”
Bob La Perla agrees. “Supporting the HARC Auction with donations of jewelry from the store is something Naomi and I have had in common. We’ve both donated to HARC’s Annual Auction for years because we see it as a very worthy cause. This new project just seemed like a natural extension of that.”
The project to which Mr. La Perla refers is a special promotion of ’cause by Naomi at La Perla in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square. “This ’cause collection really makes a statement — and in addition, it’s truly beautiful jewelry,” says La Perla. As part of the promotion, anyone who purchases a piece of Naomi Jewelry with the sterling silver ’cause charm from early April to Mother’s Day on May 13, will receive, at no additional cost, a stainless steel and enamel ID bracelet for their child, valued at $50. The bracelet features the Autism puzzle piece and the words, “I’m Special” – in pink for girls, blue for boys. La Perla will engrave the back of the bracelet with an emergency phone number or medical information. Additionally, La Perla will donate $25 to HARC for every ID bracelet, or Naomi piece sold with the ’cause charm, for sales made within the store from April through the end of June. A reception where the public can meet Ms. Tussin and learn more about HARC’s mission and services will be held at La Perla from 3pm – 8pm on Thursday, April 26.
La Perla Fine Jewelers has been a part of West Hartford Center for 20 years and has won many statewide jewelry competitions and one national design competition. More can be learned at the website, www.laperlajewelers.com.