If you’ve ever chatted with someone wearing the same STLPR hoodie in Forest Park or waved at another car with an STLPR bumper sticker on it, you know your fellow members are just as enthusiastic about St. Louis Public Radio as you are.
The Cornerstone Society is a group of donors who ensure the vitality and durability of public radio by generously donating $1,200 per year or more, often through sustaining gifts of $100 per month. They are led by our Major Gifts Director, Jeff Bewley.
We were lucky enough to grab a minute of Jeff’s time while he’s busy gearing up for the 2016 Annual Dinner: Talk, Toast, Taste, which is slated for March 31 at the Four Seasons Hotel with special guest speaker Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor at NPR.
STLPR: How long have you worked for St. Louis Public Radio?
Jeff Bewley: I just hit six years! I started January 4, 2010.
STLPR: What does your current role entail?
JB: I work primarily with our Cornerstone Society members. This is an active group of engaged donors. The Cornerstone Society members support the station’s operation with generous annual contributions of $1,200 or more.
STLPR: What is your favorite part of the job?
JB: I am very fortunate to get to know some of our most enthusiastic donors. I enjoy learning about what makes STLPR special to them. There are so many interesting and important causes to support in St. Louis, but these members choose to support us. I take that support very seriously.
STLPR: You get to meet and mingle with hundreds of people in our community; how do you see STLPR working in the community?
JB: Our mission is to be a source of information and entertainment that opens the mind and nourishes the spirt. I think we do this very well and you can see that the community benefits from our work.
STLPR: What’s so special about the Annual Dinner?
JB: It’s an STLPR love-fest! It is a wonderful evening that features an engaging speaker and is filled with hundreds of our most dedicated fans. This year’s speaker is Ron Elving, an editor from NPR, who is great. There’s also a really fun silent auction, so you don’t have to leave empty-handed.
STLPR: What’s your favorite program?
JB: It’s very hard to pick just one, but I try never to miss The Takeaway or The World.
STLPR: Thanks, Jeff!
JB: Thank you!
Click here for more information about the Cornerstone Society, or contact Jeff directly at 314-516-5494 or at jbewley@stlpublicradio.org. To reserve your tickets for the 2016 Annual Dinner: Talk, Toast Taste, click here or contact Mary Niehaus at 314-516-7482 or mniehaus@stlpublicradio.org.
