Five years ago Paula A. Warner of Chester opened Paula’s Fine Jewelry with the goal of becoming the region’s family jewelry store where customers could find jewelry and keepsakes to mark special occasions as well provide “me-gifts” for customers to treat themselves. Her vision also included becoming part of the fabric of the community by supporting local charities.

This tradition of giving back continued as Ms. Warner celebrated the fifth anniversary of the store’s opening with her customers and local business groups: Chesapeake Women’s Network, Queen Anne’s County Chapter; Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce; and Business Queen Anne’s, as well as two local organizations, Cancer Comfort Angels, Chester, Md., and Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville, Md.

For the past five years Ms. Warner has not only operated a reputable and successful business, but also has emerged as a community leader active in numerous philanthropic and volunteer efforts. Her activities include: the Queen Anne’s County United Way where she is currently completing her term as president; Hospice of Queen Anne’s, where she has served on the 2012 Gala Committee as well as a sponsor for the event; and Bosom Buddies Ball, where she served on the event committee and as a corporate sponsor.

Paula’s Fine Jewelry also supports Adopt-A-Bear; numerous animal advocacy groups throughout the county, as well as Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and Cancer Comfort Angels, just to name a few.

“This community is filled with so many worthy charitable organizations. It has been my privilege to do whatever I can to support local charities through corporate sponsorships and donations,” says Ms. Warner. “These past five years flew by quickly. I’d like to sincerely thank my many customers and friends who celebrate their special events by purchasing jewelry and gifts from Paula’s Fine Jewelry,” she adds.

Opened in spring 2007, Paula’s Fine Jewelry, 1607 Postal Road, Chester, is a full service family jewelry specializing in jewelry, keepsakes and gifts for the whole family. The store carried certified diamonds, sterling silver, convertible and bead bracelets, diamond & gemstone jewelry, pearls and designer jewelry. Services include custom jewelry design, jewelry repair done on premises, watch battery service and appraisals by appointment.

Paula Warner is a Maryland native and resident of Chester, Maryland. She earned a graduate diploma in diamonds from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) where she also completed extensive studies in colored gemstones. She is a member of Jewelers of America, the Retail Jewelers Organization, Chesapeake Women’s Network, Queen Anne’s County Chapter; Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce, Business Queen Anne’s; and the Chesapeake Republican Women.

In photo: Joining Paula Warner for a commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony are: Merry Tobin, left, realtor and co-owner of Chesapeake Real Estate Associates, LLC, and past chairman and member, Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce; Camille O’Donnell, second from right, realtor with O’Donnell Properties and president of Business Queen Anne’s; and Eileen Nonemaker, right, director of advertising sales at What’s Up Media. Ms. Tobin is also a board member and chair of the auction committee of Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) and Ms. Nonemaker is a member of CBEC’s auction committee.

In photo above: Paula A. Warner, center, makes a cash and material donation to Cancer Comfort Angels as part of the fifth anniversary celebration of Paula’s Fine Jewelry, 1607 Postal Road, Chester. Founded by Laurie Rasinski of Chester, second from right, Cancer Comfort Angels is a faith-based program that provides a comfort kit for those dealing with cancer and the effects of treatment. Each kit includes a handmade blanket, a cross, words of prayer to let the patient know he or she is not alone, and a small poem to offer inspiration and hope beyond the clinical prognosis. Pictured with Ms. Rasinski and Ms. Warner are: Cancer Comfort Angel board members: Connie Beasley of Chester, left; Linda Aus of Chester, second from left; and Kim Garvey of Queenstown, right.

In photo: Paula A. Warner, center, donates a portion of the proceeds from her Fifth Anniversary Open House & Sale to Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CEBC). Accepting the check are: Merry Tobin, left, CBEC board member and chair of the auction committee and Eileen Nonemaker, member of CBEC’s auction committee. Founded in 1979, CBEC is a private, non-profit, 510-acre preserve whose mission is to promote stewardship and sustainability through environmental education and habitat restoration. In 2008, CBEC opened a LEED certified arts and education facility which serves as a teaching tool on sustainable building practices, a model for green living on Eastern Shore, a resource center for developers engaging in smart growth and a portal for visitors to admire the local culture through rotating art exhibits.