Stephen Raab – 2015 Honored Citizen

2015-01-01_02_StetphenRaabAs a resident of Solebury for over 40 years, Stephen Raab has forged deep ties to the community. From his tenure on the Planning Commission and the Solebury Township Supervisors to his connection with the fields and woods of his farm, he knows Solebury inside and out and supports the community in ways large and small. He is currently (2015) chairman of the board of a family foundation set up by his father, Norman Raab.

Through the foundation Stephen has been a strong supporter of non-profits in our community.  Many of these groups could not carry on the work that they do without the financial support of the foundation that he oversees.  One such group that enjoys his support is Wrapping Presence, founded by Marne Dietterich, a winner of the Honored Citizens Award in 2010. Marne wrote the nomination for Stephen because she has seen the importance of his work first hand.

Besides Wrapping Presence, some of the Solebury Township and Bucks County groups that have received generous gifts from the Norman Raab Foundation at Stephen’s direction are the Central Bucks Ambulance and Rescue Squad, the Anne Silverman Free Clinic that provides no cost health and dental care for those in need, the Bucks County Audubon Society, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, the Bucks County SPCA, the Bucks County chapter of the Network of Victims’ Assistance, also known as NOVA, and of course, STHS.

Stephen piloted a program called Philanthropy Today in seven local schools. This program funds student-led Giving Clubs. New Hope-Solebury was one of the first schools to take advantage of this endeavor. The purpose of the program is to empower students to learn about their communities and the process of giving while at the same time benefitting from a collaboration venture with their peers. Students make collective decisions about issues or needs they would like to address in their community. The Clubs then research non-profit organizations that address these issues or needs and make grants funded by the Norman Raab Foundation. The program empowers and teaches youth while directing needed funds to local organizations.  Stephen continues to be active with this program by going into the schools, engaging with the students, and being a great role model for these impressionable youths.