By Marie Pfeifer
Bling-Bling used to describe flashy, expensive jewelry.
But Operation Bling gave new meaning to the term at its Morristown wine-tasting fundraiser last week.
Operation Bling presents sparkling cubic zirconium and eye-catching silver rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets to oncology patients of all ages.
The nonprofit foundation was established three years ago by Chris and Bill Ferdinand, owners of Ferdinand Jewelers in New Providence. They got the idea after bringing a gift of Bling in lieu of flowers (oncology patients are not allowed to have flowers or live plants) to their friend Barbara, who was hospitalized while undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer.
When they saw how happy it made Barbara, they decided to do this for more in-patients and out-patients battling cancer.
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The June 3 event at the proposed Morristown EcoCenter raised $15,485. Attendees bought assorted Bling items for $45 apiece while tasting wines from 14 importers and distributors hosted by Morristown’s Midtown Wine Merchants and nibbling on various cheeses from Café Beethoven of Chatham.Guests were entertained by Flutatious, a quartet of flutes.
Chris Ferdinand was in awe of the response.
“Despite our tight economy there were 200 people in attendance,” she said. “This event was God-given and grace-driven.”
The program came to the attention of the American Cancer Society, which gave the foundation its Judy A. Morrow Humanitarian Award.
“It was awesome,” Bill Ferdinand said of the evening. “I met a lot of Bling recipients at the event. Chirs and I are on Cloud Nine. We feel truly blessed to have these people here.”
Brandy Johnson, an oncology social worker at St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, identified herself as Bling 1, an angel who presents Bling from the foundation to oncology patients at the hospital.
“I really enjoy seeing the patients’ faces when I present them with their bauble,” she said.
There are Bling Angels at each of the 13 hospitals who deliver the gifts.
Each year the Ferdinands challenge themselves to increase the number of hospitals and the amount of gifts they distribute. This year their goal is to add two more hospitals – one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia.
Operation Bling Foundation is in memory of Barbara and Chris’s mom, Ruth Brands McLuskey.
For further information, contact Christine Ferdinand at 1.877.BLING.3, email Chris at christineferdinand@operationbling.org or visit: www.OperationBlingFoundation.org
