"Operation Bling is God-given and grace driven"” -- Christine Ferdinand, owner of Ferdinand Jewelers and founder of Operation Bling
Christine Ferdinand is a faith-filled woman. “The idea to create Operation Bling Foundation came to me in prayer,” says the owner of Ferdinand Jewelers in New Providence, NJ. Along with the one dollar donated by a customer, prayer is most of what the fledgling foundation had when it started in February 2008.
Back then Ferdinand discovered her favorite customer Barbara was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ferdinand could empathize. In 1991 the retailer’s mother died of the same cancer. A frequent customer and a lover of jewelry, Barbara would “miss her bling” during her hospital stay((chemotherapy sessions), worried it might get lost or stolen. ( in the hospital.))
Such a concern was the impetus behind Operation Bling, a non-profit foundation dedicated to giving inpatient and outpatient women, men and pediatric oncology patients ((cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy inexpensive)) sterling silver jewelry set with CZs (giving them a Cinderella moment in the middle of their cancer journey.) ( (to wear while undergoing radiation treatments during extended hospital stays.))
Through the spring of 2008 Ferdinand continued to engage anyone who would listen to her about Operation Bling. That summer Operation Bling caught a much-needed break. A dear customer / friend gave a (told a friend about the foundation, which resulted in a) $1,000 donation. “That was all the seed money I needed to get it going,” says Ferdinand. “After that, customers started throwing money at us.”
Operation Bling quickly went from concept to creation. With production costs averaging $22 per unit from an overseas manufacturer, Bling jewelry retailed for $45 per piece. From earrings, rings, pins, pendants and necklaces for women to watches and alarm clocks for men, proceeds from sales and continued donations gave Operation Bling the momentum it needed.
Soon hospitals all over Northern New Jersey (New Providence) had patients in cancer units (wards) getting “blinged.” “People are blown away by the gesture,” says Ferdinand. Such reactions got the notice of hospital administrators and heads of national cancer organizations.
One of the first big donations from such groups came from Overlook Hospital. Located in nearby Summit, NJ. The Overlook Foundation ( the hospital) donated $10,000 to the Operation Bling Foundation. (And, in recent months Ferdinand received news that the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge was supporting Operation Bling and nominated Ferdinand for the) The Atlantic Health System nominated Chris and Bill Ferdinand to receive the American Cancer Society’s Humanitarian Award. The Ferdinands received the esteemed award this past November.
With four hospital volunteers and countless hospital staff working with the Ferdinands as “Bling Angels,” over the last 18 months ten(nine) hospitals have distributed more than (3,000) 3,600 Operation Bling gifts. Even during one of the most challenging economies in recent history, Operation Bling took in $62,000 in proceeds and donations in 2009.
Ferdinand and her husband Bill are co-owners of the store, but the couple is able to balance the demands of their store and the foundation. But even with a distinct separation between the two operations, there’s a symbiosis between the store and the non-profit. “The Bling Foundation has generated a lot of press for the store,” says Ferdinand. “When customers come in and learn more about us as a jeweler, they also find out about Operation Bling. Cancer has touched so many lives, directly or indirectly, and people respond to it [Operation Bling].”
It may be that emotional connection that adds to Operation Bling’s homegrown quality. A loyal and sympathetic customer who owns a high-tech company, Aithent, created and maintains the foundation’s website for free. The daughter of a neighbor created the logo for Operation Bling. And, Operation Bling bags are put together while watching TV with friends. “We’ll cook up a pan of lasagna and invite friends over to help,” says Ferdinand. The foundation also engages ECLC, a local school for children with autism who do mailings for local businesses, to fold stuff and stick their bling packaging.
Currently, Operation Bling is in three states, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. In 2010, Ferdinand is looking to take the Bling Foundation national. With family and friends in cities across the country, Virginia, California and Arizona are her first target markets. The foundation can currently accept donations online She also wants to create an e-commerce-enabled website to sell and ship the “Bling Gifts” online too. ((.. and is looking to offer jewelry with a dab of color, namely pink stones and precious metal to help build awareness for breast cancer. )) |
