Reanna Ruark has loved jewelry and sparkly accessories since she was young. Her interest led her to a career in pageantry. Recently, she won the 2025 Miss Universe North Carolina title.
Ruark’s pageant platform has now grown into a nonprofit organization called Shining Through the Storm. Its mission is to help people in western North Carolina recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Now, Ruark is partnering with Kendra Scott, a popular jewelry retail chain. This partnership combines her childhood love of jewelry with her passion for helping others.
“I’m still in shock,” Ruark said after receiving a message from Kendra Scott’s marketing team on Instagram. “As a kid, I admired their wide selection of jewelry and beautiful accessories. Now, I admire their commitment to giving back, just like I do with Shining Through the Storm.”
Kendra Scott recently held a grand opening event at its new Winston-Salem store, located in the Thruway Shopping Center. The event took place from 5 to 7 p.m. Twenty percent of the sales during this event were donated to Ruark’s nonprofit to support recovery efforts.
Ruark also helped design a special necklace and bracelet for the occasion. Both pieces feature the Light Blue Illusion gemstone and symbolize Western North Carolina and her nonprofit’s mission.
Kelly Rudisill, the store manager in Greensboro who helped with the design, said, “When you wear these pieces, you remember why you bought them. Philanthropy is very important to our brand. Since opening in 2018, we have raised over $100,000 for local nonprofits and schools.”
During the store’s opening weekend, Kendra Scott also partnered with other local organizations. These included LEAD Girls of North Carolina, Dress for Success, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad.
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