In late February 2008, Chris Ferdinand of Morris Township, NJ, began the Operation Bling Foundation. She and her husband, Bill, owners of Ferdinand Jewelers in New Providence, NJ, learned that a long-time customer and friend, Barbara, was in the hospital battling ovarian cancer. As a customer, Barbara always came into the store proclaiming, "I love my bling! Will you clean my bling?" Because Chris had lost her own mother to ovarian cancer in 1991, Chris empathized with Barbara and she and Bill went to visit Barbara in the hospital. Barbara confided in her old friends of how she missed wearing her "bling". Between tests and procedures, she was afraid of them being lost or stolen. The next day, Chris had sterling silver cubic zirconium rings over-nighted for Saturday delivery. Chris and Bill went back to the hospital after work. They told her, "we know we cannot bring you flowers on the oncology floor, but we can bring you bling!" Barbara was so delighted she cried. She spoke of how she loved to wear the rings that the Ferdinands had made from her mother's diamonds, and how much she missed wearing them. Having fake bling that looked like real bling meant so much to her and gave her great pleasure.

          The very next morning, the idea of Operation Bling came to Chris in prayer. She realized that if one Bling Gift gave so much joy to one woman, imagine what she could do for hundreds more! Some women do not feel dressed for the day without their makeup and jewelry; so if bringing bling to women on the oncology floor of hospitals could bring some normalcy and pleasure back to their lives, then that was what Chris was going to do! On March 6, 2008, Operation Bling Foundation became a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation and obtained 501(c)3 status on May 11, 2009.

          Chris's initial intent was that Operation Bling Foundation's Bling Angels will bring a Bling Gift - for free - to in-patient oncology patients at local hospitals during their hospital stay. She quickly determined that the out-patients during their treatments would also be a perfect place for bling! When a patient is presented with a Bling Gift, they will have the choice of a sterling silver cubic zirconium ring, earrings, necklace or bracelet. The Bling Gift is presented in a Lucite crystal box enclosed in a white organza pouch. Also enclosed in the pouch is a laminated Bling Card with the foundation's mission statement, an inspirational poem, "What Cancer Cannot do." as well as the foundation's logo and contact information.

          While Operation Bling may be a new organization, they are making leaps and bounds in spreading their word and mission throughout Northern New Jersey. The foundation has currently set up their mission in Overlook Hospital in Summit, Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown and Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ, The Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, NJ and wishes to increase the number of hospitals as the organization grows.with future plans of becoming nationwide! In addition, the foundation has been receiving support from numerous local organizations, corporations and individuals. However, there is still much more to be done. The vision of Operation Bling Foundation is to give everyone, everywhere on all oncology floors Bling Gifts! In order to have this vision fulfilled, the foundation needs the love and support of all who hear of it and needs your help in spreading their word and the Bling!

Operation Bling Foundation is in memory of Barbara and of Chris’s mom,  Ruth Brands McLuskey.