Tapping the potential for good within a diamond ring

Commissioned drawing by Todd Berman for With This Ring Project

What would you do if $22,000 suddenly appeared in your life? Would you spend it on stuff? Gamble it away in the stock market? (C’mon, don’t you ever learn?) Or, would you, like Christina Ammon, invest it in people? People who have been carried away by generosity to make a difference in this world?

Better yet, if you’re getting engaged, would you spend $22,000 on a beautiful diamond ring and, in so doing, help Christina help others?

Todd and I first heard about Christina’s With This Ring Project when she commissioned Todd to make a drawing for the project’s website. Travel writer Jeff Greenwald (who some of our friends will know has a fierce talent for limbo) is the catalyst in this story, weaving a connection from Christina to Todd in that magical way he has.

When Christina inherited her grandmother’s diamond engagement ring, it didn’t take her long to decide to auction it off and do something meaningful with the proceeds.

Christina will divide the auction money between people and organizations she has met during her far-flung travels of this world. She’ll give it away to those who are making a difference in exchange for little more than the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from doing good. Recipients include Quilts for Kids Nepal, Himalayan Raptor Rescue, 100 Friends, The Sarswati Foundation, and more.

If you’re in the mood for marriage, then Christina has the diamond engagement ring for you. It’s quite a rock: 3.21 carats set in platinum. The auction runs from January 1st through February 7th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. All you have to do is bid.

>> Read more at www.withthisringproject.org or on the project’s blog

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