Contributions to AVMF reach all-time high in Nashville

139th AVMA Annual Convention sets giving record
By Susan Hacker, director of development for the AVMF
Published on
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Riding on the strength of the 2002 AVMA Annual Convention, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation received more contributions during the Nashville event than during any previous AVMA convention. Donations, pledges, and commitments totaled nearly $140,000.

"We're extremely grateful to the people, groups, and companies who gave during the AVMA convention," said AVMF chair, Dr. William Van Dresser. "Donor generosity more than doubled our previous high, which was set in 1999."

Convention contributions were highlighted by individual commitments made by members of the AVMF Board of Directors, who donated more than $50,000 in personal gifts to the foundation.

"Giving starts with leadership, and our board set the tone for a most productive convention," explained AVMF Executive Director Paul Amundsen. But the foundation wasn't the only group to give generously; the AVMA leadership stepped up their giving as well.

"Eighty-one members of the AVMA House of Delegates have given this year," Amundsen said. He also stated that more members of the AVMA HOD have supported the foundation so far in 2002 than in all of 2001—a previous best year for giving among members of the HOD.

Although total contributions and commitments will be completed throughout the remainder of 2002, the following companies, groups, and organizations made new gifts or commitments: the American Association of Food Hygiene Veterinarians, AVMF Board of Directors, Auxiliary to the AVMA, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and the Texas VMA.

In other convention-related activities, the AVMF board approved a total of $153,000 in research and disaster relief grants. Details on the grants will be released upon notification of grantees. Year-to-date AVMF grants and commitments total more than $600,000.

For more information, visit www.avmf.org or call (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6689.