First found in the late 1960’s, the name Tanzanite, was coined and promoted by Tiffany & Co. to honor its source country of Tanzania, East Africa. This unique gemstone is one of the few gems that only comes from one country. It was recently given the honor of being recognized as a December birthstone along with Zircon and Turquoise.

This beautiful and rare gem could be yours for a donation of only $50 to the Boehm Birth Defects Center. The lucky recipient will be announced at the Gems for Hope Fundraiser in November of 2012. Each donation of $50 gives you a greater opportunity to receive this beautiful gem.

The Boehm Birth Defects Center was established in 1963 by Dr. Walter E. Boehm to provide a comprehensive medical program for children born with congenital birth defects of the central nervous system such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus. His family, Dr. Walter Boehm Jr., Jeff Boehm, Dr. Peter Boehm, Dr. Tim Strait, Dr. Peter Boehm Jr. and Janet & Bill Horton, as well as many other family members and dedicated friends of the Center, continue to carry on his legacy of supporting the center with their time and service. The Center’s staff works with the child’s family and is involved in the planning and management of their medical care. Today the center supports over 600 families annually.

The next Gems for Hope event will be held in November of 2012. The fundraiser will feature an auction of gems, jewelry, and natural history items to benefit the Birth Defects Center.

There are also seven levels of support recognition:

Diamond Sponsor:  25,000 or more

• Recognition on front cover and inside first page of auction brochure, all mailings, the website, at the event, and twenty-five complimentary tickets

• Emerald Sponsor: 15,000

• Recognition on back cover of auction brochure, all mailings, the website, at the event, and fifteen complimentary tickets

• Ruby Sponsor: 10,000

• Recognition on inside back cover of auction brochure, all mailings, the website, at the event, and ten complimentary tickets

• Sapphire Sponsor: 5,000

• Recognition on half of a page in auction brochure, the website, at the event, and six complimentary tickets

• Tanzanite Sponsor: 1,000

• Recognition on a quarter of a page in auction brochure, the website, at the event, and four complimentary tickets

• Tourmaline Sponsor: 500

• Recognition on an eighth of a page in auction brochure, at the event, and two complimentary tickets

• Garnet Sponsor: 100

 Recognition in the auction brochure and at the event

Without your generous support, the Boehm Birth Defects Center could not exist. Please consider a donation to our Gems for Hope fundraiser to help continue this vital service to our community.

Tansanite Approximate Retail Value - $7,000 Courtesy of Edward & Carley Boehm