When Andrea Stillman thought about which non-profit she wanted to support, she knew the SPCA was her first choice. " I feel so passionately about the needs of homeless animals, and I felt that the place my dollar could make the most difference was at the SPCA," she said. Yet her family is "not rich" and was unable to give a substantial cash gift. Stillman chose instead to give stock inherited from her grandfather which had greatly appreciated in value. "I decided I wanted to make a big gift-- this is the biggest gift I've ever made. I couldn't come up with the cash, but I could come up with the stock." If she had cashed the stock instead, she would have had to pay substantial capital gains. Her gift will have a significant impact on helping animals without causing her family hardship. "It makes so much sense to give stock. I hope more and more people will do the same thing," she said.

What motivated Stillman so strongly was her belief that the SPCA is "doing everything right." She has noticed and been impressed by all the changes that have taken place the past few years, beginning with Robin Starr's leadership and including an improved newsletter, a vibrant volunteer program (through which her daughter and classmates have volunteered), improved media coverage, choosing E. Claiborne Robins as Capital Campaign Chair, helping battered women, and doing pet therapy.

Stillman's pets (Jackson the lab, Sugar the Norwich Terrier, and SPCA kitty alumns Oreo and Tom) wholeheartedly supported her decision, and responded to the news by dashing around the living room together. The SPCA animals feel the same way.