#52Tuesdays: Kendra Scott is Where Glamour Meets GOOD
The dictionary defines a gem as "a precious or semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament." Another definition is "a highly prized or well-beloved person." Kendra Scott and her jewelry company value both of these definitions equally.
Creating timeless and broadly appealing jewelry is Kendra Scott's specialty, and the company excels at it. Just check out the "Caught you in your Kendra" posts on the @kendrascott Instagram account to see celebrities sporting Kendra Scott pieces.
But Kendra Scott also treats community members in need like the highly prized and well-beloved people they are. "You're a gem" is more than a tagline for the company—it's an ethos.
Case in point: Kendra Scott's SouthPark location hosted multiple "Shopping Days" during #GivingTuesdayCLT last year that raised thousands of dollars to support local nonprofits.
The 2018 Shopping Days helped The Abandon Project provide nutrition and leadership programs to Charlotte's underserved youth. They helped Project Outpour restore dignity to people experiencing homelessness through shower access. And they helped Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation support children battling cancer.
"Our three pillars are family, fashion and philanthropy," says Jen Arpin, marketing and philanthropic manager for Kendra Scott locations in Charlotte, Charleston and Savannah. "Giving back and making a difference is the best part of our jobs!"
Nationally, Kendra Scott held more than 10,000 fundraising and awareness events, donated more than 2,100 volunteer hours, and gave more than $5.1 million to nonprofit and community organizations in 2018.
Here in Charlotte, the SouthPark team is gearing up for another GOOD #GivingTuesdayCLT. "We will be hosting events every day in November and December," says Jen Arpin. "We are going back to our true roots of giving back and are in full swing for the holidays this year."
There are still dates available for Shopping Days benefitting local organizations. Check out their guidelines for partner organizations. If your organization is a good fit, contact Jen Arpin at jennifer.arpin@kendrascott to learn more.
We want to thank Kendra Scott for recognizing that the biggest gems are the organizations that help our community.
Visit Kendra Scott at SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Road, Suite E10.
Grace Kennedy is a Huntersville-based writer specializing in storytelling for nonprofits. Learn more at gracekennedy.net.