Chuck and Stephanie Baer
Chuck and Stephanie Baer’s relationship with Penn Vet began with a stuffed bunny when the couple lived in Chester County with their two young children. Both scientists, the Baers looked for unique opportunities to expose the kids to science careers. That’s how the family ended up at New Bolton Center one fall afternoon.
“My daughter really loved animals, and we thought she might be interested in learning about veterinary medicine,” said Chuck, who now lives in Wisconsin and North Carolina. “We went to New Bolton Center’s annual community open house a few times when the kids were little. On one visit our daughter brought her stuffed bunny – our dog had chewed off an eye and Stephanie sewed it back on.”
At New Bolton Center, Penn Vet students hosted a MASH unit for injured soft toys. The team diligently checked Stephanie’s handiwork and approved, making one young client very happy.
The Baers were so impressed with the great work — on the bunny and with real animals — they started giving to the Penn Vet Annual Fund in 2013. Their first gift came through Bellwether.
“Our visits were such a high-caliber experience,” said Chuck. “Penn Vet is providing an important service to the community and to the advancement of science. We believe in supporting this excellence.”
Giving for Immediate Use
The Baers chose the Annual Fund for the flexibility it offers the School.
“The Annual Fund supports Penn Vet across the board,” said Penn Vet’s Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement Hyemi Sevening. “People who give this way understand and appreciate their gifts can be used where the needs are at any given time. It’s unrestricted funding that can be drawn on immediately.”
As with the Baers, that’s the appeal of annual giving to Dr. Glenn Eiger and his wife Jovites Eiger, whose daughter Sophie graduated from Penn Vet in 2018. “Sophie found her niche at the School,” said Glenn. “She had great professors. She worked hard and did a lot for the school — and the school did a lot for her. Penn Vet is a great institution. While it’s challenging and competitive, it places a remarkable focus on teaching and learning. Sophie really valued every bit of her experience. And we are grateful for her experience.”
And also like the Baers, the Eigers started giving through Bellwether.
Third from left, Dr. Glenn, Jovites, and Dr. Sophie Eiger, with family members at Commencement.
Every Dollar Matters
By their unrestricted nature, Annual Fund gifts are meaningful. The capital is flexible and available for investment in innovations, new equipment and technologies, academic programs, and other arising opportunities and priorities.
Since 2000, the average annual gift has grown from $172 to $337, an indication, said Sevening, that donors build trust in Penn Vet over time and increase their giving.
Last year, more than 2,900 people gave to the Fund, up from 2,800 in 2000 — and like the Baers and Eigers, many have given for several years.
The other appeal of Annual Fund gifts, which range in size from less than $50 to more than $1,000, is that every dollar matters, said Sevening: the School brings in roughly $1.3 million annually from Annual Fund donors.
Although the Baers’ daughter didn’t become a veterinarian, she did pursue a career in science and the couple still donates to Penn Vet.
“Our gift is relatively modest,” said Chuck. “But we continue to make it. We know it makes a difference and feel it’s important to invest in institutions that advance and uphold rigorous scientific thinking and inquiry.”