HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., July 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harris Jewelry today issued the following statement following the announced settlement by 16 state Attorneys General with Operation Troop Aid:

For many years, Harris Jewelry has worked with and financially supported a number of charities with a focus on Servicemembers and their families. As a Combined Federal Campaign-approved charity, Operation Troop Aid (OTA) was among those organizations the company supported. We were disappointed to learn about the allegations against OTA brought by various state Attorneys General.

Since January 2018, proceeds from Harris Jewelry’s Operation Teddy Bear have been directed to a different nationally-respected charity that supports Servicemembers and their families. That support, coupled with the company’s role as a drop-off center for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program, is driven by Harris Jewelry’s heritage as a company founded by Marine and WWII Veteran Jerome L. Harris.

In our charitable initiatives, Harris Jewelry has always delivered the stated financial contribution for each teddy bear sold and all the toys that were provided for donation. We will continue our charitable efforts in support of Servicemembers and their families. Harris Jewelry, founded over 60 years ago, has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1983 and has received an A+ rating every year.