We want to send a BIG "thank you" to the community, sponsors and volunteers for making the 19th Anniversary Holiday Homes Tour a success!

On our Facebook page you'll find some fun videos of happy tour-goers telling us why they enjoy attending the tour every year.

We have also posted a few photos on our Facebook page to get you excited for our FULL selection of photos from the Gingerbread Event, VIP Reception, and Holiday Homes Tour, which will be on our website very soon.

Thanks to everyone who came together to help open the door to HOPE for people with cancer and their families!

We have continued to watch Congress to see if it will extend a retiree's ability to make a direct donation from his or her IRA to a charity without having to pay tax on the IRA distribution.

On Thursday, December 9, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced a compromise tax bill, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The bill seeks to provide tax relief for all American taxpayers and extends expired or expiring provisions for two years. Among the many provisions included within the package is the proposal to extend the tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. The principal rules for direct transfers from an IRA to a qualified public charity are that the IRA owner must be 70½ or older and that the transfer is for no more than $100,000 each year. The transfer does qualify for the required minimum distribution. It must be to a public charity either outright or for a specific purpose. The transfer is made directly from a trustee to the charitable organization. A very important potential 2010 benefit exists if the bill passes.

Because the drafters recognized that it is very late in the year, individuals who choose to make a qualified charitable distribution from their IRA trustee to a charity may make their 2010 distribution any time during 2010 or during January of 2011. Congress determined that the time necessary to make these transfers should be extended for one additional month for the 2010 required minimum distributions.

While it is quite possible that the bill could pass and be enacted by the 20th of December, it will require fairly quick action to take advantage of this option. Please check with your financial advisor or CPA for more information. To read a summary of the bill click here.

If you decide to donate a portion of your 2010 required minimum distribution to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, we would very much appreciate it, and assure you that it will be put to good use by providing hope, education and support to persons with cancer and their loved ones.

Thanks to TWCVV Board Members Ken Kossoff Esq. and Michael Lohnberg; and to Ilana R. Ormond.Vice President, Philanthropic Services Ventura County Community Foundation for their contributions to this article.

Frankly Speaking about Cancer:
Spotlight on Breast Reconstruction with High Tea Sunday, January 30, 12pm-2:30pm
Westlake Village Inn
31943 Agoura Road, Westlake Village

We are proud to host the launch of this new national patient education program developed by the Cancer Support Community in partnership with BrightPink, FORCE, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Young Survival Coalition.

Join us for High Tea and hear from Susan Downey, MD, FACS, plastic surgeon, and a panel of breast cancer survivors, who will emphasize options and tools for decision making around breast reconstruction. This program underwritten by the Cancer Support Community. Reservations required. Please RSVP 805.379.4777.

Text the word COMMUNITY to the phone number 90999 to donate $10 to help families affected by cancer. Full terms and conditions at www.mgive.com/a.

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