VIENNA, Va.-Better than $50,000 was raised for children battling cancer at the first annual "Growing Hope Benefit Gala" on Apr. 19. Washington Diamond contributed to the evening's silent auction by donating six pieces of jewelry worth more than $14,000.

The proceeds of the benefit went to The Growing Hope Foundation, a local charity founded in 1997 that provides supportive non-medical care to children with cancer in the Northern Virginia area. The foundation was created by parents of children with cancer in an effort to forge normalcy and amusement within the children's lives through trips to amusement parks, theater outings, pizza parties, etc.

"I was delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with The Growing Hope Foundation and am proud to help such a worthy cause," said Tom Daube, vice president of Falls Church, VA-based Washington Diamond.