Pick a Pearl for Project Safe

When I was a kid, I saw someone open oysters and dig out the pearl - it was either a demonstration in school or on vacation or I saw it on TV - and I thought, I want to do that! It's a little treasure hunt in the palm of your hand.

This Saturday, India Rows is opening up her The Pearl Girls shop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to let everyone of all ages do just that - and the proceeds go to Project Safe. For a $10 donation, you get to open an oyster and dig out your own pearl! What color will it be? Every oyster will have a pearl., and each pearl will get a little necklace chain to put it on. (You can also upgrade to make it another kind of jewelry.)

Unsurprisingly to anyone familiar with India, families are welcome and encouraged to participate. India's a working mother who went out of her way to make her work environment family friendly for her employees, setting up a playroom at the store so they wouldn't need the added expense or worry of childcare (something her customers enjoy as well). She created this event so people of all ages could enjoy a family-friendly (and single-friendly) activity never before offered in Athens, as well as help the women and children of Project Safe.

"I would love to open 100 oysters on Saturday," said India, thrilled at the possibility.

The Pearl Girls is an outlet not only for designing, selling, restoring and cleaning jewelry, it's an opportunity for travel and learning. India travels to different pearl farms around the world, and happily shares her enthusiasm for and knowledge of pearls and pearl farming. Her community is built around a positive environment and helping others.

Which is why Saturday's event benefits Project Safe, an organization that works to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services, systems change advocacy, and prevention and education in the community.

So come on over to The Pearl Girls this Saturday and enjoy some local pearl farming, from shell to neck. (That's something this town of uniqueness hasn't offered before.) Have a little adventure. Perhaps a little early Valentine's Day present to someone or yourself. And it benefits so many women and children of Project Safe - so you can feel double good!

Let's open 100 oysters!

Pick a Pearl for Project Safe takes place this Saturday, Jan 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Pearl Girls, 548 Hawthorne Ave, Athens, Georgia 30606
(706) 850-5296