Don Schneider, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, received a check symbolizing the one billionth dollar raised over the past 25 years in support of the church’s educational and health care institutions.

The presentation took place Monday, October 30, at the Adventist Church world headquarters during the 24th Annual Presidents Dinner on Philanthropy, hosted by Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI), the church’s philanthropic resource. The check was presented to Schneider, along with Dr. Richard Osborn, vice president for education, and Tom Werner, president of Adventist Health System.

“This milestone is hard to even imagine and is deeply inspiring,” said Schneider. “We need to continue to raise our sights and advance the mission of service in education and health care. Untold numbers of lives have been saved, enhanced, and changed by the thousands who have taken the time to give their support. I respectfully say ‘thank you.’”

The church began its formal philanthropic efforts in 1975 at the hands of Milton Murray, director emeritus of PSI.  Since that time, PSI has provided fund raising support and assistance to Adventist secondary schools, colleges and universities, and health care institutions.