In 1990 our founder, Douglas Meadows, lost his mother to cancer. To commemorate her and her life, each year we sponsor a writing contest in our local elementary school. This contest allows students to honor their their own mothers and to express their love and appreciation through a writing exercise. We offer this contest to students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. For 15 years we have over 7,000 kids write in and tell us why their mom deserves a diamond. Three students win a 1/4 carat diamond and a gemstone winner is chosen from every classroom that participates.