Voices for Children is a charity organisation created to help the abused, neglected, and abandoned children who have been removed from their homes and placed under the protection of juvenile court. This Christmas season, the staff and students of the by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) collected more than $8,000 in food, gifts, toys, cash, and other supplies for distribution. The Voices for Children organisation is based in San Diego and has been hosting the GIA Holiday Gift and Food Drive since 1996, that benefits a local charity.

"Both the staff members and students at the GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad demonstrated great generosity and compassion through their charitable donations to support such a worthwhile cause," said Carol Moffatt, manager of GIA Global Meetings and Events. Since the inception of the GIA Holiday Gift and Food Drive it has given more than $61,000 in funds and supplies to a variety of community recipients and organisations.

"We are especially grateful to the GIA for this generous donation during this holiday season," said Kim Penny, vice president of Marketing & Development for Voices for Children. "This contribution will provide these children with special gifts that will help them share in the holiday spirit. We are very appreciative of the GIA's support of the foster children we serve."