Reza Piroznia
Local Small Business Owner Gives Back on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Reza Piroznia, proprietor of Jewellery Jamboree Gems (JJGems) and owner of RezaGemCollection, immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1995. Upon landing in Toronto, Reza found himself living in a boarding house and working several jobs to make ends meet. Not one to let tough times get him down and wanting to give back to his adopted country, Reza held his very first fundraiser for Sick Kids the same year, and has continued to raise money for various charities ever since. In 2020, Reza raised over $25,000 for charitable organizations and in 2021 he is aiming to double that amount.
Reza is driven by causes recommended to him by his loyal and generous clients. One day this past spring, a client recommended Anishnawbe Health Toronto to him. Reza was taken aback as he had just driven past the AHT Queen Street location that day and he knew at that moment that this would be the organization for his next fundraiser. “I wanted to raise money for Anishnawbe Health Foundation as a thank you for the incredible opportunity I was given to immigrate to Canada and to live on the land of Indigenous Peoples,” says Reza.
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Indigenous Hub Ground Breaking, RezaGemCollection hosted a One-Of-A-Kind Gemstone Jewellery fundraiser on June 21 in support of Anishnawbe Health Foundation. 100% of the proceeds raised were donated to the capital campaign for a new home for Anishnawbe Health Toronto. The event was an incredible success with over $12,000 being raised. In fact, out of all of the fundraisers Reza has hosted over the years, it was the most money he has raised in a single event to date!
If you would like to keep up-to-date on Reza’s continued charity fundraising efforts you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram @RezaGemCollection.
Learn More on how to make a positive impact on the health of your community by hosting a fundraising event for Anishnawbe Health Foundation.