Helzberg Diamonds Awards $10,000 Shopping Spree to Military Service Member

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Helzberg Diamonds announced today the grand prize winner of its Helzberg Heroes contest, a special military-related program launched to demonstrate the company's love and appreciation for the service given by active duty soldiers, veterans and their families. Helzberg Diamonds awarded the $10,000 grand prize to Staff Sergeant Theresa Allen from Vail, Ariz., based on her entry; she will receive a $10,000 Helzberg Diamonds gift card. Theresa is an active-duty military member based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111216/CG23794)

In honor of Veteran's Day, the Helzberg Heroes contest asked military members and their families to share their best "I Am Loved" stories on a company website. The stories ranged from special moments of how communities support their local heroes to how soldiers express their love for their families while deployed.

"My husband and I have been through so much apart, but we've always managed to keep our love strong. This prize will help us celebrate all we have been through and all of the love we still have to give," said SSgt Theresa Allen, Helzberg Heroes winner. "We thank Helzberg Diamonds for not just honoring the love between my husband and me, but the love shared among all military families."

SSgt Allen's grand-prize winning story explained how she and her now husband used building blocks of listening, encouragement and love, paired with a block of wood, to stay connected when military service kept them apart. Her entry is featured on the company's Facebook page. SSgt Allen will be deployed on her third tour of duty to an undisclosed location later this month.

"Military support is an important part of Helzberg's heritage. More than thirty years ago, the company showed support for soldiers serving in Southeast Asia by sending them our iconic 'I Am Loved' buttons," said Beryl Raff, Chairman and CEO of Helzberg Diamonds. "This new Helzberg Heroes program extended that tradition and gave us the opportunity to show our love and appreciation for military members and their families."

To read additional Helzberg Heroes entries, visit www.facebook.com/HelzbergDiamonds.

About Helzberg Diamonds

Helzberg Diamonds®, a retail and online jewelry store focused on customer service, was founded in 1915 and has more than 230 stores nationwide, featuring a wide selection of fine jewelry, including diamond engagement rings and wedding rings, precious gems and watches. Helzberg Diamonds takes pride in its history of offering value, exclusive designs and timeless jewelry. Helzberg Diamonds is based in North Kansas City, Mo., and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., (NYSE symbol BRK/B) family of companies. For the locations nearest you, call 1-800-HELZBERG (800-435-9237) or visit http://www.helzberg.com.

SOURCE Helzberg Diamonds