Diamond Drop raises more than $1,000 for The Poshard Foundation

The 94th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet’s Diamond Drop raised $1,060 for The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.
The event was held on Friday, January 16, at The Pavilion of the City of Marion. The event featured a Social Hour, sponsored by Mayer Networks that began at 5:30; dinner that at 7 p.m.; award presentations including the Business/Industry of Year Award presentation to AISIN Light Metals; a Wine Pull, also sponsored by Mayer Networks; and a Diamond Drop, which is a fun event where participants can win thousands of dollars in jewelry.
For $10, a participant at the annual dinner received an ice cube that had a chance of containing one of the following prizes:
• A 14k white gold ring with 1.00 carats total weight of black and white diamonds. Value $2400.00
• A 10k white gold pair of princess cut diamond earrings .15ct total weight.  Value $599
• A sterling silver citrine pendant with double strand chain. Value $599.00
• A sterling silver black onyx fashion ring. Value $350
• One of 17 colored semi-precious gemstones including amethyst, citrine, blue topaz and garnet
Steve McNeill with Diamond Designs coordinates the Diamond Drop for the Marion Chamber’s annual dinner for the past four years.
“We saw the idea in a trade magazine where they would freeze cubic zirconia in all of the ice cubes and one would be a loose diamond. We liked the idea of actually freezing jewelry and gemstones so the winners get something they can put on and admire right away,” McNeill said.
Steve is the son of Don McNeill, Owner of Don's Jewelers that operated in Herrin, Marion and Carbondale.  He is a metalsmith, appraiser, and Graduate Gemologist.  Steve attended the Gemological Institute of America in residence in Carlsbad, Ca and is a 1980 graduate.  He apprenticed as a goldsmith under his brother Mark McNeill from 1993-1995.  Steve is an accomplished jeweler and is also an expert using laser technology in jewelry repair.  Steve has more than 35 years’ experience in the jewelry industry and is more than happy to assist you in all of your fine jewelry needs.
Preparing for the Diamond Drop is a “family affair,” McNeill said.
“You get pretty good with practice,” he joked. “It takes two days to freeze all of the cubes, and we start wrapping in my kitchen.”
McNeill said all of the preparation and work that goes into the Diamond Drop is well worth it.
“I love to see the winners’ faces when they win a prize. Some people are so grateful and it just makes my day,” McNeill said. “Some girls will take their ice cubes into the bathroom and run hot water on them or hold them under the hand dryer to melt the ice faster and get the goodie inside.”
Each year the proceeds from the Diamond Drop at the Marion Chamber’s annual dinner go to a different charity. This year, McNeill chose the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.
“From the first day I met all of the volunteers from the Poshard Foundation and witnessed all their hard work and saw how everyone was pitching in and then I found out that nobody takes a salary and I knew that if those people could donate that much time and effort, I could do a simple Diamond Drop,” McNeill said. “The money raised during the Diamond Drop goes to a good cause without any administration costs at all.”
The mission of the Poshard Foundation is to help abused, neglected, and abandoned children in southern Illinois. 
“We are an all-volunteer organization with no one receiving a salary, and we do not receive state or federal grants.  We have been designated as a 501c3 non-profit organization for over 15 years,” said Jo Poshard, foundation co-founder. “Our Foundation provided approximately 1,500 children with assistance last year with various services not covered by traditional funding sources to include dental care, car seats, special counseling for abused children, therapeutic camps for child abuse survivors, and beds and mattresses for children with none.”
Poshard said she is “greatly honored” that McNeill has chosen the Poshard Foundation to be this year’s recipient of the Diamond Drop’s proceeds.
“Steve McNeill is an excellent example of a person who cares deeply for the less fortunate in Southern Illinois and strives to give back to the community,” Poshard said. “In addition to the Marion Chamber Annual Dinner, he has sponsored the Diamond Drop at The Poshard Foundation annual fundraisers in the past and has done a fantastic job of providing attendees with the opportunity to help children in need while enjoying their evening.  We are grateful beyond words to Steve McNeill and the Marion Chamber of Commerce for giving us this opportunity.”
The proceeds the Poshard Foundation receives from the Diamond Drop will be designated to their “Beds for Kids” project.
“It is difficult to comprehend that many southern Illinois children, already in crisis, are sleeping on floors and patio cushions instead of nice, warm beds,” Poshard said. “We will direct the Diamond Drop proceeds towards helping these children who are truly the innocent victims.”
For more information, visit:
• Diamond Designs - diamonddesignsbysteve.com
• Poshard Foundation - poshardfoundation.org
• 94th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet – marionillinois.com