A GIFT OF LOVE, THE SUZANNE E. PLESCIA ENDOWED EDUCATION FUND

Nearly a century ago a young girl visited her grandfather's farm just outside of Paris. She was intrigued by all the creatures, ladybugs and butterflies, cats, dogs, and rabbits, as well as the farm animals. She raised a little piglet which followed her wherever she went, came galloping when called by name, and even pulled her in a small wagon up and down the rows of garden vegetables while she helped her grandfather during harvest time.

In 1911, she came to the United States with her parents, and soon became active in wildlife rehabilitation. Throughout her life, neighbors and friends always brought sick, injured, and orphaned creatures to her doorstep. Her goal was always to release them back to the wild. She also cared for several permanently disabled animals, as was the case of a one-winged bluejay who lived with her for 17 years!

In 1996, the Suzanne E. Plescia Endowed Education Fund, created in honor and recognition of this woman's the lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation, was established by a gift from her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth N. and Louis W. Bender. Additional contributions , both outright and deferred, to the Endowment are welcomed by the St. Francis Wildlife Association.

The purpose of the Suzanne E. Plescia Endowed Education Fund is to further the mission of the St. Francis Wildlife Association in its dedication to the conservation of native wildlife through rehabilitation and education.