Tanzanite Nights!

JBFC celebrated its 10th Anniversary in style at its annual spring fundraiser, Tanzanite Nights!

The event was held Friday, April 22nd at the IDL Ballroom in Downtown Tulsa. Hundreds gathered to help JBFC celebrate the last decade of impacting lives in rural Tanzania and raise some money to continue to make a difference over the next decade.

The event featured a live auction that included a chance to bid on a Tanzanian safari, a jewelry pull that featured $5,000 in jewelry, and a market stocked with unique gifts from Tanzania.

And the party lived up to its name, with thousands of dollars worth of Tanzanite, a bluish purple gemstone only found in Tanzania, sparkling throughout the night. JBFC had two stones donated by Swala Gems and Cultural Heritage Museum in its Live Auction. There were three chances to win Tanzanite in the jewelry pull, including loose stones from Massoud's Fine Jewelry and a pair of Tanzanite earrings from Israel Diamond Supply.

And JBFC launched the sale of its 10th anniversary commemorative URU bracelets, which feature the JBFC star stamped onto the bracelet.

Long-time JBFC supporter and friend, Terry Hood, from the News on 6 was the mistress of ceremonies. And kept the night moving with stories of success from Tanzania. JBFC Board Member, Kristin Bender, who has been involved with JBFC since 2009, was the honorary chair of the event. She spoke about JBFC's 10-year history and accomplishments, including the graduation of eight of our residential girls.

Thanks to our generous supporters JBFC raised more than $130,000 in one night.

The proceeds from the event will go to support JBFC's operations in Tanzania. Thanks to all of those who bid, purchased, and donated, JBFC will be able to continue to provide a home for 48 girls who were abandoned and abused, quality education for more than 330 boys and girls, access to healthcare for our community and jobs for more than 70 people.

JBFC would like to thank everyone who made this event a success. Thank you so much to the following sponsors and vendors who donated goods and services to make the event possible:

Cultural Heritage

Swala Gems
Exotic Expeditions Ltd.

Tanganyika Wilderness Camps

Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge Ltd.

Mbalageti Serengeti Lodge

Hillcrest

Trader Joe's
Tours of Tulsa

Woody Guthrie Museum

Gilcrease Museum

The News on 6

Doubletree Hotel

Brookside By Day II

Tavolo (JTR Group)

Pinot's Palette
In The Raw

The Fresh Market

Shanga Glass

Massoud's Fine Jewelry

Isle of Gems

Israel Diamond Supply
Tulsa Diamond House
Luxe Studio

Kendra Scott

Rustic Cuff

Stella & Dot (Patty Heckenkemper)

Alex & Ani

Objets d'Envy

Oppenheimer Photography

Elisa Marie Photo

And we would also like to thank our fundraising committee and volunteers, who put a lot of work into making this event successful:

Sarah Alfred
Nancy Baumann
Jane Beckwith
Judith Blackwell Gardner
Kendra Blevins
Diana Booren
Scott Booren
Andrea Cutter
Kerney Daniel
Catherine Denton
Alyssa Doty
Terri Doty
Tim Doty
Carene Gates
Michelle Gray
Julia Gross
Susan Gross
Gail Hebard

Kayci Hebard
Cathy Herrin
Dana Hutton
Cara Kovach
Olivia LaFortune
Kathy LaFortune
Tori Lieberman
Katie McElhaney
Cathy Meador
Janice Moore
Anne Nunnelee

Gerald Nurdin
Jane Purser
Travis Purser
Ashli Sims
Mallory Smith
Peggy Smith
Barbara Walton

Sammye Walton
Jack Wheaton Rothermel
Amanda Winge
Taylor Winge
Melinda Wulf
Valerie Vaughan
Vicki Vrooman