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Barbara Oliver: A gem in the WNY community

Posted at 2:24 PM, Aug 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-24 14:24:58-04

Buffalo native Barbara Oliver is quite a gem, shining bright in her community. 

Barbara Oliver, owner of Barbara Oliver Jewelry, does more than sell sparkle and shimmer to hopeless romantics. 

She is on the Board of Directors for Western New York Heroes Inc., an organization that provides help to veterans, especially those with PTSD.

The foundation hosts their biggest Red, White, and Blue fundraiser event, where they raise awareness for vets in need locally and honor men and women who have served in the military to protect American freedom. 

WNY Heroes Inc., in collaboration with the Buffalo News, present two veterans with the Hero of the Year Award.

Barbara's Jewelry business crafts the custom medallions that are presented to the recipients.

She says, "None of us, if we haven't served or been through combat, we can never understand what these men and women go through and what they've sacrificed. But hearing their stories and meeting them...it's beyond an honor."

Barbara has been in the business for 26 years, started her own business 13 years old, and doesn't plan on going anywhere any time soon. 

She says, "Business is great in Buffalo. There's a lot of people falling in love, a lot of people celebrating life, and treating themselves. Two expansions later, and 16 showcases later, we're still going strong thanks to everybody in this area."