The 2017 American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Foundation held its annual fundraising auction on February 27 during the 48th AASV Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. This year’s auction raised $112,666!
The funds raised during the auction support foundation programs, including student travel stipends, research projects, scholarships, student externships, awards, support for veterinarians pursuing board certification in the American College of Animal Welfare, and other opportunities to enhance the personal and professional aspects of swine veterinary medicine.
One of the highlights of the auction was the generosity of the AASV Foundation 2017 Consortium. This ad-hoc group of 32 individuals and organizations raised $32,000 for the Foundation by bidding on a matching charitable donation to Adams Thermal Foundation – Ethiopia. Pipestone Veterinary Services had agreed to match the winning bid to join the fight against hunger and support childhood education in Ethiopia. So the AASV Foundation received $32,000 from "the consortium" and Adams Thermal Foundation received a matching contribution of $32,000 from Pipestone Veterinary Services. Adams Thermal Foundation operates two schools in Ethiopia enrolling the "poorest of the poor" – children who are orphaned, HIV-positive or who struggle from the effects of extreme poverty. Adams Thermal Academies enroll 900 students from kindergarten through grade 10. Children receive an exceptional education, clothing, textbooks and school materials, food, medical attention and transportation. Following is a list of the consortium members:
Paul Armbrecht
Butch and Emma Baker
John and Andrea Baker and Family (Warrick Veterinary Clinic)
Bob Blomme
Dave Bomgaars
Ron Brodersen
Dyneah Classen
Joe Connor
Wayne Freese
GlobalVetLINK
Doug Groth
Pat Halbur
Steve Henry
Howard Hill
Tyler Holck
Bill Hollis
Kerry Keffaber
Hans Koehnk
Aaron Lower
NutriQuest
Daryl Olsen
Jodie Pettit
David Reeves
Max Rodibaugh
Hans Rotto
Steve Schmitz
Peter Schneider
Mike and Lisa Tokach
Veterinary Medical Center
John Waddell
Thomas Wetzell
Warren Wilson
Thanks to the consortium and Pipestone Veterinary Services for their generous donation!
Auctioneer and AASV Executive Director Dr Tom Burkgren called the auction with the assistance of Dr Shamus Brown. The spirited live auction raised $84,825. This was in addition to the $17,340 collected during the silent auction and $10,501 in generous cash donations. The foundation thanks all those who participated in the auction by bidding on or donating items, as well as those who served on the auction committee chaired by Dr Butch Baker. Visit the https://www.aasv.org/foundation/2017/auctionlist.php AASV Foundation Auction page on the AASV web site to view auction wrap up.
A special thanks goes to the bid-takers: Miranda Ayers, Dave Bomgaars, Joel Burkgren, Peggy Anne Hawkins, Howard Hill, Terry Metcalf, David Reeves, Max Rodibaugh, and John Waddell, who kept the bids coming while modeling blue grilling aprons that were later sold to the highest bidders. In addition, the following folks’ behind-the-scenes and front-end help was invaluable: Joel Burkgren, Sue Kimpston, Kay Kimpston-Burkgren, David and Karen Menz, Karen Richardson, Lee and Sue Schulteis, Tina Smith, and Harry Snelson.