A Jewel Of A Fundraiser September 8, 2005 – Posted in: Press

By FELICIA DECHTER
Published: September 8, 2005
Pioneer Press

Tobina Kahn, vice president of the House of Kahn Estate Jewelers, 60 E. Walton St., can clearly remember lugging paintings down from the walls of her Florida home when she was younger, to salvage them from possible hurricane destruction. She also recalled how the family would work to save their beautiful antiques when news of a hurricane hit.

“House of Kahn is based in Palm Beach, right on the ocean, and I know what hurricanes can do,” Kahn said. “A lot of people in the Midwest don’t know what to do.”

That’s why House of Kahn, one of the oldest estate jewelry houses in the city whose Palm Beach headquarters has been through “many hurricanes,” will be donating 10 percent of all its jewelry sales proceeds to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Katrina victims. According to Kahn, both the Palm Beach and Chicago stores are participating in the effort.

Kahn said when she heard about Katrina, “I knew it was going to be bad.” She immediately called the Red Cross and told them, “I want to help.”

Kahn said she wanted to get the word out t hat she will donate the money, which will be used to help victims who have lost their homes and even their livelihoods.

As of press time, Kahn had raised $1,250 and said the response has been overwhelming.

“These people need so much help,” she said. “Here, someone can buy something and they can feel good too. I hope other people will follow.”