Heights Foundation Finds Mark Loren Gem in Norman Love Confections Box

Fort Myers, FL, January 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Loren Mounts Gem for Auction at “Love Your Neighbor” Fundraiser on January 16

Opening a box of Norman Love Confections is always a treat but this holiday season it was even sweeter for the Heights Foundation, a local non-profit whose mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Custom Jeweler Mark Loren and Gourmet Chocolatier Norman Love presented the 12 Gems of Christmas. Twelve gems were randomly placed in signature boxes of Norman Love Confections. A Heights employee purchased a box of Norman Love Confections for the staff holiday celebration and inside she found a 12.16 ct natural oval-cut Zircon from Africa.

After consulting with Loren, the Foundation decided to auction the gem at their annual fundraiser “Love Your Neighbor” on January 16 at the Gulf Harbour home of Daun and Peter Dessak. Loren, an award-winning designer, offered to mount the gem into one of his innovative ring designs to raise funds to benefit the School Success programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights Neighborhood. The ring sold for $10,000.

“Mark and Norman have been a long-time supporter of the Heights Foundation,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of the Heights Foundation. “We feel incredibly lucky that we found the gem and that he created a special piece for our fundraiser. We think it is an extra special start to our new year.”

For more information about the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center visit www.heightsfoundation.org (239) 482-7706.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Center, supported by the Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. We work to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. As a 501(c)3 grassroots organization, the Center’s mission is to promote family and community development, support education, health and wellness, and provide the benefits of enrichment, expressive and cultural arts. The Heights Center will be completed this month and grand opening events will take place in February 2013.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 1,200 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 55% Hispanic, 36% African-American, and 9% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.