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 Thanks for Caring
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| The Eastern Panhandle community cares. It's that simple.
There's no other explanation for the outpouring of time, talent, and treasure that made the fourteenth annual Eastern Panhandle Day of Caring a success. Despite the rain, approximately 1,000 volunteers and numerous businesses and organizations supported Day of Caring activities on Tuesday, September 9. Their assistance ensured the completion of hundreds of projects at more than 60 sites, and this year many projects directly improved the quality of life of area residents. Volunteers, replaced siding, fixed a foundation, and built wheelchair ramps. They trimmed bushes, repaired roofs, and washed windows for the elderly. They even replaced flooring in the home of a family working hard to become financially independent. "The support of the community meant so much to this family that has struggled to maintain their dignity in the face of economic and personal crisis." said Teresa Warnick Program Director for Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle. Volunteers also took on large projects for organizations. A shelter porch was repaired. Walls were built. And food pantry shelves were filled thanks to the Mega Food Drive. In Morgan County, more volunteers than ever participated. "We took on some very big projects this year," said Morgan County Chair Nancy White. "And the community responded. The weather might have prohibited us from accomplishing everything we planned on the actual Day of Caring, but the volunteers came back later to make sure every project was completed." The next Day of Caring is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2009. For a list of organizations and businesses that provided volunteers and/or donated materials or other resources, click here. |
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Receiving-and Giving-Neighborly Assistance
By Nancy Lynn Marmorella, Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers |
When a team of volunteers from the Shepherdstown Rotary Club cleared brush at Nancy Von Baumann's home during the recent Day of Caring, the difference they made was more than cosmetic.
"That was so wonderful!" says Mrs. Von Baumann. "Now I can see out. I like to watch and see who's going by. I'm someone who needs other people."
Mrs. Von Baumann is not able to leave her home very often, so she depends on that view of the world outside. She is determined "not to sit around feeling sorry for myself." With that in mind, she first called Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers in 1991, asking what she could do from home to help others. She became a Good Shepherd volunteer, aided by her telephone and her friendly, cheerful disposition.
Over the years, Mrs. Von Baumann has made numerous calls on behalf of Good Shepherd. She has phoned volunteer dialysis drivers to remind them when it is their turn to drive. When someone needed to have a ramp built, she called around until she found a church that would donate the materials (this became a project for a previous Day of Caring). She has made regular reassurance calls to check on fellow Jefferson County residents, to make sure they are all right and to let them know that someone is thinking of them. She seems to enjoy these calls as much as the recipients do. "I've talked to so many interesting people and learned a lot about local history," she says.
Mrs. Von Baumann has also received services from Good Shepherd Caregivers. Volunteers have taken her to doctors' appointments and brought her medical equipment. A husband and wife who volunteer together said, "She's always so cheerful, regardless of health concerns, and always has good things to say about Good Shepherd Caregivers. We've helped her several times with yard maintenance -- mowing, trimming trees and bushes, raking leaves, sweeping the patio and driveway. She has a kind smile and loves to help others as she's able. And she likes to share her homemade candy!"
These days, Mrs. Von Baumann is not able to make that candy, and she is finding it increasingly difficult to get around. But she is determined to stay in her own home as long as she possibly can, and Good Shepherd Caregivers will do all it can to enable her to do so.
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| "IRA Charitable Rollover" Option Revived for 2008 and 2009
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The recently enacted Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 contains several provisions related to charitable giving. One we are particularly excited about is the extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover provision, which had expired at the end of 2007. Once again, you have a special planning opportunity if you are age 70 ½ or older, own an IRA, and intend to make charitable gifts in 2008 or 2009.
If you meet these requirements, you can make distributions directly from your IRA to one or more charities without the distributions being included in taxable income and subject to withholding. An additional benefit is that the funds transferred from your IRA to a charity count toward your mandatory withdrawal.
If this gift provision had not been extended, using IRA funds for a charitable contribution would have required withdrawing money from your IRA and then contributing it. The amount withdrawn would have been taxable, and the deduction for the contribution may or may not have offset the tax.
Example: Suppose Jack has $500,000 in an IRA and will be required to withdraw approximately $25,000 this year, and suppose further that he wants to contribute $10,000 to United Way. Jack can authorize the trustee of the IRA to transfer $10,000 to United Way and $15,000 to himself. He will not be subject to tax on the $10,000 distributed to United Way. (Jack does not deduct the $10,000 gift - by not paying tax on otherwise taxable income, he has already received his tax benefit.)
Making charitable contributions from an IRA rather than other assets may be especially appropriate if you:
- do not itemize deductions,
- would not be able to deduct all of your charitable contributions because of deduction limitations,
- may lose some of your itemized deductions because of your income level, or
- are required to take distributions but do not need them for living expenses.
Certain limitations apply to these non-taxable charitable distributions from an IRA:
- They cannot exceed $100,000 per person per year.
- They must be made to a public charity (not a private foundation), and they cannot be to a supporting organization or a donor advised fund.
- The gifts must be outright. For instance, they cannot be used to establish a gift annuity or fund a charitable remainder trust.
- No goods or services, such as tickets to an event, can be received in exchange for the contribution.
- These tax-free distributions can be made only in 2008 and 2009
If you would like more information about this and other ways to make a charitable gift from an IRA, please email Vicki Shean.
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| United Ways Join Together for Online Auction
Tri-state holiday shoppers have a distinctive venue to get a great deal on unique items thanks to four local United Way chapters.
The United Ways of the Eastern Panhandle (WV), Franklin County (PA), Frederick (MD), and Washington County (MD) are teaming up for the Tri-State Lives United auction The online auction works much like eBay and can offer a great deal while raising funds for each United Way.
The auction is set to start on Saturday, November 29 and run though Monday, December 8. On Thursday, December 4, the auction and local United Way, will be featured on NBC25 from 7 PM to 8 PM.
The auction web site will be available in Mid November. Auction items are currently being accepted, and if you are interested in participating/donating an item(s), please complete the vendor registration packet.
This event, a first of its kind in the tri-state area, offers a unique marketing opportunity for its participants.
Any questions should be directed to Tracey Eberling at tracey.eberling@steptoe-johnson.com or 304-262-3532.
vendor packet
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Give.
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You can direct your contribution to one of the action areas-Thriving Children, Strong Families, Independent Seniors-or choose all three. As always, we will also process a restricted contribution to qualified 501 (c) 3 organizations
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ADVOCATE.
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| The Eastern Panhandle Health and Human Services Collaborative (HHSC), which is facilitated by the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, is putting the finishing touches on its 2009 Public Policy Recommendations.
This year, the recommendations address rental assistance; tax preparation fees for low-income working families; access to behavioral health services; and elibility guidelines for famlies in need of emergency financial assistance from the State.
Look for your Action Alert coming soon. |
| Volunteer. |
| The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle operates a volunteer center to match people who want to help with opportunities to serve. Learn more. |
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