Why I Give to Heidelberg

The ’Berg has long been a part of my heart and soul as my mother, Bonnie Bender Foster, was a graduate of the Class of ’42. Even as a child, I felt and recognized the camaraderie among her classmates when we attended several summer alumni picnics held mostly in Ohio. As I grew older, I received postcard birthday greetings from E.R. Butcher and began to grow more interested in this small liberal arts college that was reaching out to me.

Due to my intense interest in music and the reputation of the well-known Heidelberg College Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Ferris Ohl, I auditioned and was accepted into the music school. There, I enjoyed learning from knowledgeable faculty, made many lifelong friends and participated in numerous campus activities. The most exciting opportunity was the 1966 European Concert Choir Tour. Imagine! A little girl from Greenwich, Ohio (pop. 1,500), having such a wonderful opportunity before her!

All these things couldn’t have happened without the warm, caring Heidelberg administration and staff that had learned how to welcome students, most of whom had moved away from home for the first time, and watch over us to see that we were acclimating to campus and doing well academically.

As to my giving, I’ve been instructed by my mathematician husband, David, that individuals age 70½ and older are permitted to contribute any amount up to $100,000 a year directly from their IRAs to qualified charities. If you are required to take minimum distributions, a non-deductible qualified charitable distribution will reduce your taxable income, which can reduce Medicare premiums or minimize your taxes on Social Security benefits. And if you believe that I understand all that, as they say…I have a bridge to sell you.

Also, please contribute as you can to the Class of ’67 55th reunion fund and plan to attend the Alumni Weekend in Tiffin scheduled for June 17-19, 2022. We had a blast at the 50th! Let’s do it again at our 55th!