Local jewelers at American Jewelry Co. are honoring our country this Independence Day by helping others gain freedom and independence. Hoping to shine a much needed light on the dark subject of human trafficking, American Jewelry will donate one dollar per person who stops in for a complimentary jewelry cleaning now through July 18th at either the new Brentwood location just off Franklin Rd or the Mt. Juliet store in Providence.
“We are proud to live in the most charitable and free country on earth, and we want to embrace that American spirit of freedom and giving this Fourth of July. What better gift to give on Independence Day than independence and freedom itself to those who’ve had the right stolen from them?” said second generation jeweler Sonny Belew. “Simply give our jewelers a few minutes to make your jewelry shine like new again, and we will donate one dollar to End Slavery TN. Then, if someone comments on how nice your jewelry looks, we hope you’ll mention how you helped shine a light on human trafficking with American Jewelry. ”
At least ninety-four children are trafficked each month right here in Tennessee. As Middle Tennessee continues to experience the recent boom in growth and tourism, so too will this ugly problem grow.
“It’s like domestic violence or drunk driving decades ago. What was once never discussed in public is now a worthwhile cause. And we’re determined to get there with the issue of human trafficking, too” said TBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Margie Quin in a recent TBI news announcement. “It’s about doing everything possible to save the lives of children bought and sold for someone else’s pleasure.”
A Congressional Research Service report on child sex trafficking concluded, “it is more profitable for a trafficker to prostitute a child than to commit other crimes such as dealing in drugs.” Children are more reusable than adults, and the internet has allowed traffickers to reach a wider clientele and connect more quickly with buyers. Sadly, trafficking victims can be sold 10 to 15 times a day, adding up to between 9,300 and 14,000 times a year.
“Independence Day is the holiday where all Americans unite and celebrate our commonalities as Americans- connecting regardless of our gender, race or religion. I think this is something we can all unite and agree on too– that human trafficking is simply appalling. So, I hope we are able to help shine some much needed light on the dark industry as well as on the local organizations that are working hard to fight against it,” said Belew.
American Jewelry applauds local advocates at End Slavery TN in their efforts to rescue and restore local victims’ lives and independence. The store will be donating one dollar per customer’s jewelry cleaning now through July 18th.
About American Jewelry Co.
What began in 1974 as a small storefront specializing in turquoise jewelry, Dwight and Billie Belew have grown into a Middle Tennessee icon. Over 40 years of the Belews’ strict standards on quality paired with their family’s good old-fashioned honest service has kept customers returning and referring American Jewelry as their trusted and favorite jeweler. Today three Belew family generations continue to run and grow the family store with that same integrity. Sought after for their innovative custom design abilities as well exquisite jewelry pieces by Tennessee’s most discerning, American Jewelry stays true to its name by combining the latest technological innovations with handed down, hand-crafting skills. Both the new Brentwood location just off Franklin Rd (next to Blaze Pizza) and the Mt. Juliet store in Providence Center offer full jewelry services: repairs, appraisals, custom design, and beautiful selections from sterling silver to diamonds in price ranges. Brentwood – 615 984-4363. Mt. Juliet – 615 754-6046. www.americanjewelryco.com
About End Slavery TN
The mission of End Slavery Tennessee is to promote healing of human trafficking survivors and strategically confront slavery in Tennessee. End Slavery TN works to effectively rescue and restore victims while preventing new victims through education, empowerment and awareness. Learn more about the problem of human trafficking and how to help at www.endslaverytn.org.
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