Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > Arkansas PBS Foundaion receives bequest from Kielsmeier estate
Posted 21 Jun 2016
The Arkansas Educational Television Network Foundation has received a gift of $2,000 from the estate of Janet Kielsmeier.
Janet and her husband, Elwood 'Al,' moved to Bull Shoals, Arkansas, in 1980 from Madison, Wisconsin. They started supporting AETN in the early '80s and continued through the years, increasing their support along the way. She once shared that '[AETN's] selection is better than any other state I know.'
When Al died in 2003, Janet continued to provide gifts to support the variety of programs she loved on AETN, like 'Washington Week,' 'BBC World News,' 'British Antiques Roadshow,' 'Exploring Arkansas,' 'Nature' and specials during fundraising campaigns.
'Janet became an Ambassadors Circle member several years ago, and I had the pleasure of speaking with her a number of times,' Karen Cooper, major giving coordinator for the Arkansas PBS Foundaion, said. 'She was a delight to talk to, and I marveled at her energy as she told me about her lunch dates, volunteering at the Bull Shoals Historical Museum, and taking 1- to 4-day excursions well into her 90s.'
Janet's gift has been added to the Arkansas PBS Foundaion Endowment Fund, which exists to help cover cost increases for purchasing national programs, to help fund local program production, and to help fund expansion of new program and service opportunities while safeguarding against any potential decrease in operating funds.
'Gifts of all sizes to the endowment combine to build a solid foundation for AETN's programs and services as we look to the future,' Arkansas PBS Foundaion Chief Operating Officer Mona Dixon said. 'We are honored that Mrs. Kielsmeier chose to remember AETN in this way.'
Anyone interested in learning more about charitable gift planning and other giving options should contact Cooper at 1-800-662-2386, 501-730-9310 or legacygifts@aetn.org or visit legacy.aetnfoundation.org.
The Arkansas PBS Foundaion exists to raise the funds necessary to support AETN's mission of enhancing lives through trusted public television programs and educational services. The Foundation provides Arkansans opportunities to connect with the only statewide public media outlet by becoming a financial donor, corporate or foundation partner, volunteer or by other means of giving. The Arkansas PBS Foundaion builds relationships between AETN, donors and viewers and is committed to being a transparent and accountable steward of private financial support.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).