local YEAR END giving
December 6, 2017 A Special Supplement to
Sentinel Cottage Grove
2 • 2017 Year End Giving
‘TIS THE SEASON! HELP HABITAT HELP OTHERS! This is the time of year when every charity stretches out a hand and asks for your help to meet its mission. This is a good thing because it gives all of us a chance to factor the needs of our community into our Christmas, seasonal and year-end gift lists. So, why should you put Habitat for Humanity on your list? One paramount reason that makes Habitat special is the long-lasting effects of Habitat’s actions in this community. Affordable housing and home repairs may take some time to fund and accomplish but when Habitat volunteers are done, a family has a simple, decent home in which to live, raise children, and give back to the community. In addition to building affordable housing, the Habitat repair program provides a previously house-bound person with an accessibility ramp to open a wider lifestyle. New steps, repaired decking, caulked and sealed windows, and more has a long-term effect on the health and safety of a homeowner. Please make a gift to Cottage Grove Area Habitat for Humanity that will assist to build or repair a home. If your ready cash is scarce, and you have time and skills, please give the gifts of your time and expertise by volunteering at the construction sites or helping in the ReStore. Donate working appliances, furniture, tools, and building materials to the ReStore for affordable resale to others. Donate your old vehicle of any kind (running or not) to Habitat’s Cars For Homes program. Leave Habitat for Humanity a leagacy in your will or make Cottage Grove Area Habitat a beneficiary of your Trust. Every gift will make a long-lasting difference in this community! The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate substandard housing and create safe, healthy and affordable housing together with hope for the future ~ right here in Cottage Grove! Working together we all can make this happen and many lives will be changed. Help Habitat Help Others this holiday season and give to Cottage Grove Area Habitat for Humanity! Donate online at www.habitatcg.org or mail your check, payable to CGA Habitat for Humanity, to 2155 Getty Circle #1, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Email us at info@habitatcg.org Shop and Drop Off at the ReStore at 2155 Getty Circle in the Industrial Park in Cottage Grove Call at 541.767.0358 SAVE THE DATE – 9th Annual Crab Feed Extravaganza – January 27, 2018 – this year at the Cottage Grove ARMORY. Get your tickets online or at the Book Mine and get them EARLY! This great event will sell out again! One Seating – Same Great Food – Same Great Fun! 5pm hospitality – 5:30pm dinner
These are before and after pictures of an A Brush With Kindness project
Future Homeowner Family, the Parsons, and their house-in-progress
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Simple ways to be more charitable
Being charitable is rewarding, not only to those on the receiving end of others’ good deeds but also for those doing the giving. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health found participants who chose to donate a portion of money they were provided activated pleasure centers in the brain. Doing something positive can be uplifting, and being charitable helps others in need. Quite often people who engage in charitable works find inspiration through their efforts. That’s because working with a nonprofit group can create opportunities to meet new people, socialize and be surrounded with like-minded individuals. It also may help adults serve as role models to youngsters. Children who see their parents or other adults being charitable may be more likely to be philanthropic when they grow up. Every little bit counts when being charitable. Philanthropy doesn’t mean donating thousands of dollars or lots of hours volunteering. The following are some relatively easy ways to incorporate charity into one’s life. • Collect change: Place a coin jar near where you put your keys or wallet when entering the house. Empty loose change into the jar and watch it fill up. Use the collected funds to donate to a charitable group. • Round up: When the grocery store checkout clerk asks if you want to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar for charity, opt in. • Become a leader: Volunteer your time as a scout troop leader, coach a sports team or offer free tutoring for students. You’ll be making an immediate difference in the lives of young people. • Charitable consumption: Buy from companies that are involved with causerelated products. Many products are tied to charitable efforts, with a portion of money going directly to nonprofits. • Throw a party: Host a party with a philanthropic theme. Guests can arrive and make a donation or bring a gift that will go to a charitable cause. • Use your hobby: Participate in charity fundraisers that incorporate some of your favorite hobbies. For those who knit or craft, donate or sell your creations for the good of those in need. Being charitable is easier than one might think, and even the smallest efforts can produce big results.
It’s important to remember our neighbors struggling to provide their families with enough food to eat. In Cottage Grove and the surrounding areas, lower income families can find help at Community Sharing Program. Community Sharing is a local non-profit that provides community members basic needs, life-skill tools and resources towards self-sufficiency. Each month an average of 740 emergency food boxes are distributed by Community Sharing’s pantry. Emergency food boxes are meant to supplement SNAP assistance (previously called food stamps) with a 3-5 day supply of food. As a partner agency, Community Sharing gets over half of its food from the county’s food bank, Food for Lane County. The rest is donated by local individuals, organizations and businesses. Historically the need for emergency food in the fall and winter is significantly higher than in the spring and summer. Last summer the pantry set a new record of 836 food boxes distributed in one month. In addition to the increased number of our neighbors facing food insecurity, the typical forecast from Food for Lane County shows food distribution to pantries will be lower for the better part of the fiscal year. That means local food donations are critical, now more than ever, to meet the basic needs of an ever increasing number of eligible families. In addition to food, Community Sharing accepts donations of essential nonfood items, such as hygiene items, clothes, and cleaning supplies to provide to its client families. These items aren’t covered by SNAP assistance, but clothes, toilet paper, diapers and soaps are almost as vital for day-to-day living as food. Please donate to Community Sharing this holiday season so that our clients don’t have to make the tough choices they face nearly every day. Many have to choose between buying their prescription medication on or buying food. Still others must choose between paying for their utility bill or buying food. With your help, this holiday season can be a little less stressful for those in need. Fact: Did you know that Community Sharing can access and distribute 65 lbs. of food for every dollar donated? It’s true! From our food bank in Eugene, Food for Lane County, we pay for food at a very deep discount. For this reason, your donated dollar goes much farther than any canned product donation. In order to distribute the food, keep the lights on, maintain refrigeration and freezing for perishables, costs $$$. Fact: Although we are able to buy food at a deep discount from Food for Lane County, on occasion they do not offer the food we need.
Community Sharing’s HOLIDAY WISH LIST
PEANUT BUTTER MAC-N-CHEESE CANNED MEAT PRODUCTS (such as chili, beef stew & tuna) TOMATO PRODUCTS (diced, stewed, etc.) HAMBURGER HELPER
FLOUR SUGAR COFFEE BABY DIAPERS BABY FORMULA PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS CANNED FRUIT
Happy Holidays! ¡Feliz Navidad! For more information, go to: www.communitysharing.org or call: 541-942-2176 1440 Birch Ave Mailing address: P.O. Box 351, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 4 • 2017 Year End Giving
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2017 Year End Giving • 5
Charitable giving and taxes Many people donate to nonprofit organizations and other philanthropic groups out of a personal desire to do good for others. Such charitable giving can improve the lives of others and may make donors eligible for tax deductions. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, donors may deduct charitable contributions of money or property made to qualified organizations. These generally include religious organizations, veterans organizations, nonprofit groups qualified under section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, and some other groups as well. The Canada Revenue Agency lists registered charities, registered low-cost housing corporations, national arts service organizations, registered Canadian amateur athletic associations, and some educational universities among the organizations that may qualify donors for tax deductions. Canadian individuals and businesses generally can claim deductions and gifts of up to 75 percent of net income. In the United States, the IRS states one generally may deduct up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income, but 20 percent and 30 percent limitations apply in some cases. Giving can constitute cash and non-cash donations, advises the charity watchdog organization Charity Navigator. For example, deductions for donations of clothing and household items that are in “good condition or better” may qualify donors for tax deduc-
tions. Donors are advised to bring items to reputable charities that will issue a receipt for their value. An appraisal may be requested for more expensive items. All donations require a paper trail and proof of charitable contribution. The Government of Canada states that official donation receipts from registered charities and other qualified organizations should be kept in a safe place. While these receipts need not be submitted at the time of filing (whether on paper returns or electronic filings), they should be kept for five years in the event they are subjected to review. Timing donations properly is key. The IRS says that contributions made in cash or other property must be made before the close of the tax year to be deductible. A tax treaty between the United States and Canada allows for some deduction of donations made to charities across the border. Again, it is best to consult with a tax professional in these matters as some contributions to foreign organizations are not deductible. Charitable giving has many benefits, including feeling good about oneself,
helping the less fortunate and the financial reward of qualifying for some tax breaks.
TOGETHER, WE FUND 1,400+ CULTURAL NONPROFITS IN OREGON. THAT MEANS MORE DRAMA. Cottage Theatre is a community-supported theatre: more than one third of the theatre’s annual budget comes from donations from people like you. Your gift to Cottage Theatre (and the Opal Center, Historical Society, and other cultural institutions) qualifies you to claim the Oregon cultural tax credit. Its the cultural donation you get back at tax time. Talk to your CPA, or learn more at (503) 986-0088 or CulturalTrust.org.
DOUBLE THE LOVE. HERE’S HOW:
Cottage Theatre. Funded in part by the Oregon Cultural Trust.
6 • 2017 Year End Giving
1. TOTAL
2. GIVE
3. CLAIM
YOUR DONATIONS TO CULTURE
A MATCHING AMOUNT TO THE CULTURAL TRUST
CULTURAL TAX CREDIT ON YOUR STATE TAXES
The history of modern charity SINCE 2009, THE NON-PROFIT BEDS FOR FREEZING NIGHTS HAS PROVIDED A WARMING CENTER IN COTTAGE GROVE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO COME INSIDE ON NIGHTS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE AVERAGES 29 DEGREES FARENHEIT OR BELOW.
WHEN THE WARMING CENTER IS ACTIVATED AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF COTTAGE GROVE, VOLUNTEERS STAFF THE CENTER TO PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
LAST SEASON BEDS FOR FREEZING NIGHTS ACTIVATED 19 NIGHTS AND SERVED 47 INDIVIDUALS AND A FEW PETS.
The concept of well-to-do people helping the less fortunate is nothing new. In fact, charity has been a part of human cultures for thousands of years. Charity is a humanitarian act to give to those in need. The word “charity” is derived from the Latin “caritas,” which means “preciousness, dearness and high price.” Charity is also tied to philanthropy, a word from the Greek “philanthropia,” meaning “love of mankind.” Charitable philanthropy has evolved to refer to the various forms of kindness directed toward others. It is believed that charitable giving in some form has been around since 2500 BCE, when ancient Hebrews instituted a tax intended to help the poor. Philanthropy became a pillar upon which many religious organizations were built. Many charities were formed to provide basic necessities to others. Charitable giving has been documented in nearly all cultures in some shape or form. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, classical Chinese philosophy exalted the virtue of benevolence. Ancient Greeks considered giving fundamental to democracy. Philanthropy was thought to promote balance and harmony among Native Americans. Moses Maimonides, a 12th century rabbi and philosopher, helped shape modern philanthropy by establishing the Golden Ladder of Charity in the Mishneh Torah. Maimonides’ eight levels of charitable giving ascend accordingly in value. They rank from giving grudgingly as the very least form of charity to helping to sustain a person before he or she becomes impoverished as the greatest. Maimonides’ teachings helped shape future notions of giving. Philanthropy has changed throughout history. Plato established a group working for the public good. Roman Emperor Augustus gave public aid to 200,000 people. In 1643, the first American fundraising drive was organized by Harvard University. Today, the value of donations to charity comprise roughly 2 percent of the total national gross domestic product in the United States. The charitable giving resource Winspire says more than 95 percent of households in the United States donate to charity. Charitable giving continues to grow, with new philanthropic groups being established every year. Giving has become a major component of modern culture and an important part of shaping individuals, families and communities.
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, HELP US CONTINUE TO PROVIDE “WARM HEARTS, WARM BEDS ON FREEZING NIGHTS” BY DONATING ONLINE AT FREEZINGNIGHTS.COM OR CALL (541) 968-3357.
YOU WILL BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
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Friends of the Cottage Grove Carousel Invite you to support us this Holiday Season!
See us at Bohemia Elementary at 6pm on 12/7
Support the dream in 2018… • Dine at local service clubs & participating restaurants to keep up on our activities on our placemats and coloring pages
Carousel Donation Form Amount of Donation:_______________________________ Name:___________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________ State, Zipcode:____________________________________ Phone Number:___________________________________ E-Mail:__________________________________________ Please make your tax deductible check payable to:
Business Improvement Disctrict (EBID)
In Memo (on bottom-left of check), write “Carousel Project” Send to: Friends of Cottage Grove Carousel PO Box 883 Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Please send this form in with donation! Thank you very much!
• Participate in our Penny War to complete restoration • Attend our St. Valentine’s Dinner & Dance, Febuary 10th 6pm-9pm @ CGHS Cafetorium • Make an appointment to tour the restoration site at the WOE Fairgrouds. (send an e-mail to: cgcarousel@gmail.com or call 541-419-6635 • The 5th breakfast of the month will return on 4/29, 7/29, 9/30, & 12/30 at the VFW, from 8am-11am. This is a fundraiser for the CG Carousel ................Stay tuned for more!
For details on upcoming activities & events, please visit us online at: www.cottagegrovecarousel.com 8 • 2017 Year End Giving
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