Spring/Summer 2013 Aesculapian Magazine - University of Georgia ...

Why I give: Beth Lee
Roswell resident Beth Lee, owner of Atlanta Saddlery,
a retail tack store in Alpharetta, has an apparent love
of horses. Since the 1980s, she has facilitated the Bolshoi
Benefit Horse Show, with the sole purpose of providing
funds to colic research at the UGA College of Veterinary
Medicine.
“Each year, we have been able to send the proceeds of
the horse show to the colic research fund, to be used for
whatever the need might be,” she said.
Her late husband, Steve Lee (DVM ’78), was already
involved with fundraising for the CVM when they married
in 1987, through a benefit gala that he started, “For the
Love of a Horse.” Since the 1980s, Beth has also been
making her contribution towards causes and fundraising
for the UGA CVM.
“I had been involved with the horse show and Steve had
been involved with the ‘For the Love of a Horse’ event,
all because of the common need for more research into
the number one killer of horses,” she said. “At the time
it seemed like the ‘cancer’ for horses, the one thing that
touched more horses and their owners than any other
issue. Regardless of breed or discipline all horses are
vulnerable.”
Donating to the CVM was one of the best ways to make
an impact on something she cared about.
“There was a great team of veterinarians at the CVM
when the initial donation was made to establish the
‘Bolshoi Colic Research Fund.’ It started with a woman
who lost her horse ‘Bolshoi’ to colic,” she said. “She made
the first donation that established the program. We have
felt it was the most important way we could contribute
towards the understanding and treatment of a condition
that affects so many horses and their owners.”
Imparting knowledge to others about the importance
of giving isn’t quite her style. Leading by example is a far
better way to encourage others to donate to causes that
they are passionate about.
“Because donating is such a personal experience, it really
isn’t something that I discuss with others,” she said. “I do
have three children, and by example, they have picked up
some of the joys of giving by participating in donating
‘shares’ of animals provided by the Heifer Project in honor
of someone, instead of gifts to their teachers and friends.
We often receive ‘honor cards’ from people who donate
to Habitat for Humanity and other great causes which
gives them the experience of how that feels to be part of
something bigger than oneself.”
Beyond monetary contributions, donating time by
volunteering to help organize events has proven to be just
as much, if not more, fulfilling.
“The giving that we have done is really a collection
of contributions through the events,” she said. “Our
contribution is as much the time and energy to organize
the event as it is the funds. I guess that is a way of
helping with giving that multiplies the amount one could
contribute, by involving others in the cause.”
For More Information
If you would like to make a gift to the UGA College of
Veterinary Medicine, contact our Office of External Affairs
at 706.542.1807 or give2vet@uga.edu
Photo courtesy of Beth Lee.
Aesculapian Spring/Summer 2013 46