September 29, 2013
Vol. 39 No. 34
INSIDE: AN ARTIST AT WORK
PG. 8
NAVAL TRADITIONS
PG. 12
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE FLEET Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth Executive Officer Capt. John Cummings Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri M. McIntyre Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski Media DIVO Ensign John Mike Media LCPO MCC Mike Jones Media Production Chief MCC Gregory Roberts Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole Editor MC2 Jason Behnke Lead Designer MC3 Raul Moreno Jr. Media Department MC2 Jacquelyn Childs MC2 Ashley Berumen MC2 Devin Wray MC2 Ryan Mayes MC2 Alexander Ventura II MC3 Renée L. Candelario MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Jacob Milner MC3 Christopher Bartlett MC3 George J Penney III MC3 Linda S. Swearingen MC3 Jess Lewis MC3 Vanessa David MC3 W. J. Cousins MC3 Derek Volland MC3 Phil Ladouceur MC3 Sam Souvannason MC3 Nathan McDonald MC3 Joshua Haiar MCSN Kole Carpenter MCSN Derek Harkins MCSN Kaitlyn Haskett MCSN Eric Butler MCSN Siobhana McEwen MCSA Aiyana Paschal MCSA Kelly Agee MCSA Victoria Ochoa MCSA Andrew Price Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. Submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
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Navy Accepts Delivery of the Future USS Coronado (LCS 4)
The future USS Coronado (LCS 4) conducts at-sea acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Austal USA/Released)
By Program Executive Office (PEO) LCS Public Affairs The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Coronado (LCS 4) during a ceremony at the Austal USA shipyard here Sept. 27. Coronado is the fourth littoral combat ship (LCS) to deliver to the Navy, the second of the Independence variant - noted for its trimaran hull - to join the fleet. Capt. Randy Garner, Commodore LCS Squadron One (LCSRON), was on hand to mark the occasion. “We are excited to receive USS Coronado into the LCS class and ultimately to San Diego alongside the other LCS class ships in service,” said Garner. The LCSRON supports the operational commanders with warships ready for tasking by manning, training, equipping, and maintaining all LCSs in the fleet. Delivery marks the official transfer of LCS 4 from the shipbuilder, a General Dynamics-led team that includes Bath Iron Works, Austal USA, and Advanced Information Systems, to the Navy. It is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for April 2014 in Coronado, Calif. Following commissioning, Coronado will be homeported in San Diego with her sister ships USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Independence (LCS 2) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3).
“This second ship of the Independence variant, which encompasses lessons learned from its predecessor, has proven her readiness for delivery through the most rigorous acceptance trial conducted to date,” said LCS Program Manager Capt. Tom Anderson. “I’m excited to place this impressive ship in the hands of the crew and I know they are equally as excited to make her their own.” The Navy is committed to a 52-ship LCS class. Twelve more ships (LCS 5 through LCS 16) are currently under construction or in the pre-production phase. The first 24 ships of the class are evenly comprised of two variants, the steel monohull Freedom variant (odd numbered hulls) and the aluminum trimaran Independence variant (even numbered hulls). The littoral combat ship class is designed to defeat threats in coastal waters where increasingly capable submarines, mines, and swarming small craft operate. To deliver capabilities against these threats, the Navy introduced LCS with innovative concepts, such as modular mission packages, to quickly respond to an evolving threat. PEO LCS is responsible for delivering and sustaining the fleet’s littoral mission capabilities. Consistent delivery of high-quality warfighting assets, while balancing affordability and capability, is key to supporting the Navy’s Maritime Strategy.
SAFETY STAND DOWN
Story and Photo by MCSN Eric M. Butler
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he dangerous nature of our jobs is evident whenever the 1MC announces an actual casualty. The goal of the Safety Stand Down held for all hands Wednesday was to help Sailors join safety-consciousness to personal responsibility in the midst of jobs that are inherently dangerous. Cmdr. Christian E. Cook, Nimitz’ safety officer said complacency was taking a toll recently during the latter part of our deployment. “The bottom line is, keep your eyes open,” said Cook. “It may not be something that you’re working on. It may just be something you observe where you can stop a potential situation. As you listen to these briefs, don’t tune them out. See how they apply to you. Make them apply.” In conjunction with safety, Ensign Samuel S. Jordan showed how improper storage and disposal of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) can be hazardous to ourselves and our ship. Storing certain HAZMAT together can create lethal or explosive results, such as hav-
Lt. Richard C. McNeil gives training during a Safety Stand Down
ing bases and acids in close proximity can create toxic gases. “The NSTM 670 Vol. 2 is your friend,” said Jordan. “It talks about all the different kinds of HAZMAT, what [personal protective equipment] you need to wear and where to get more information.” Cook said he made a personal effort to make electrical safety a primary concern. Lt. Richard C. McNeil, the new electrical officer on board, covered the electrical safety portion. McNeil provided many examples of real-life situations where Sailors received shocks because of unforeseen variables, such as wear-and-tear, corrosion and even ventilation complications. “Our mindset has now become, we do not work on energized gear,” said McNeil. “Everything is considered energized until we prove that it’s de-energized.” Other highlights of the stand down included correct precautions when painting and good ways to deal with stresses in our lives that contribute to
safety issues. For anyone who missed the stand down, SITE TV will play it on channel 9 through today. “It’s a personal responsibility to stay engaged,” said Cook. “It’s an industrial environment we live in. You always have to maintain that situational awareness and attention to detail. True success to me, with safety, is in the climate, in the culture. I would say that this ship has a very good safety culture, and you can always do things to continue to cultivate that.”
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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Savoring Simplicity
Story and Photo by MC3 (SW) Renee L. Candelario
“I want to be the definition of my own expertise”
-Payne
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“I like to cook, but only when I want to,” laughed Culinary Specialist (CS) 2nd Class Shawn V. Payne II. “I’m just kidding, but I really do enjoy cooking.” Payne joined the Navy as a CS soon after graduating George Washington High School in his hometown, Denver, after non-intentionally walking into the recruiter’s office in 2008. “I was picking up a friend who was signing her papers to enlist into the Navy at her recruiters office,” said Payne. “I was waiting in the lounge when a recruiter started talking about his resume along with his job and all the varieties of rates while explaining boot camp and the opportunities so I thought to myself, ‘I can be independent.’ I called my mom and told her I made my decision to join. She was upset at first, but I explained to her where I was at mentally, what my plans were, and what I wanted to get out of joining. She eventually became more supportive, so I went.” Originally, Payne had plans to attend Kansas State University and take advantage of their culinary arts program but the CS rate was an easier solution financially. “I didn’t want to go to school and have my mom be stuck with tuition,” Payne explained. “If I joined the Navy I could take advantage of the GI Bill and use that money toward my education in the future.” Payne admitted to wanting a career that he could do with very little
stress that he would enjoy. He saw the CS rate being the best road designed to do so. “At first I thought, ‘How hard can cooking be?,’” Payne explained as he laughed. “I enjoy being a CS even though the workload can be overwhelming at times, but I don’t mind. It’s fun to try and experience new things and make things better as far as the food quality goes. I get to express what I have a taste for and explore other ways to make dishes and different cultures of food. It’s all about exploring and experimenting. Being in the Navy as CS, there is an opportunity to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds which in turn introduces you to alternative ways of cooking.” On this deployment Payne attains some of his motivation from the people he supervises while being the night watch captain for Wardroom Three. “I feel that the group of people I work with are self-motivated Sailors who inspire to better themselves in every aspect,” he explained. “This inspires me as well.” Payne’s response to the question of what his favorite part about cooking is was introduced with a wide smile and short laugh followed by a pause, “My favorite part about cooking is the eating. It’s being able to taste my creation.” Payne will be transferring from Nimitz to his next command January
of next year to be a barracks petty officer in Naples, Italy where he will implement the values he learned while on board. “One thing I can say I have learned from Nimitz is that teamwork really is our tradition,” explained Payne. “You have to depend on others to get where you are trying to go. In S-2 it takes teamwork to get the job done. You can’t do what we do on a daily basis by ourselves.” After Italy, Payne plans to transfer to a sea command to finish his enlistment making it ten years in the Navy and transition back to the civilian sector to be an entrepreneur. “I want to be the definition of my own expertise,” Payne grinned. “My uncle opened his own Southern fish fry restaurant and it turned out well, so I want to take the steps to open my own restaurant.” He then laughed and said, “I want to be the boss.” The calm, friendly and easy-going persona Payne has is reflected in his goals for his future. “I don’t want to make my life difficult,” Payne spoke firmly. “I want life to be as easy as possible so I take the steps and make the moves and do what I can to keep that goal intact.”
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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84-DAY INSPECTION PHOTOSTORY BY MC3 (SW) RAUL MORENO JR.
Most metals are prone to corrosion. The metals found within an F/A-18F Super Hornet are no exception, and if ignored, corrosion may damage equipment and affect mission readiness.
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84-Day cockpit corrosion inspections are done to counter the rust that may build up within the cockpit of a jet. One main focus is the seat that rests within the cockpit. Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) (AME) 2nd Class Ellis Reynolds and other Sailors assigned to the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 work together to ensure the cockpit of an F/A18F remains fully functional.
AME2 Ellis Reynolds inspects a seat for corrosion.
Reynolds, top, AME3 Chiquittia Mahaley, bottom right, and AME1 Robert Sorge raise a seat into the cockpit of an F/A-18F Super Hornet after checking it for corrosion.
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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@ Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Luis Lizarraga, a native of San Bernadino, Calif., has been drawing for as long as he can remember. “It’s something I’ve always done,” said Lizarraga. “I was probably five or six when I started as a kid, but I would get bored so I would just grab a piece of paper and pencil and just sketch. I always drew the same thing though. It was this scene I had in my head with buildings and helicopters.” As he got older, Lizarraga expanded his drawings and would draw anything and everything that came to his mind. He would also draw stuff for people when they would request something. “I didn’t want a normal job,” said Lizarraga. “I wanted to do something cool and different. Something with a skillset where I’d have to use my mind and fine tune it as I used it.” The drawing skillset he possessed, along with a desire to not have a normal job, led Lizarraga to pursue an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop when he was 19 years old. “I thought I knew how to draw until I got to the tattoo shop,” said Lizarraga. “When I got there and I saw what
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Story and photos by MC3 (SW/AW) Jess Lewis Drawings and tattoos by AD3 (AW) Luis Lizarraga they did, I realized I couldn’t draw; they were way better than me.” The guys at the tattoo shop told Lizarraga they would give him six months to learn the trade and if they saw potential in him, they’d keep him around. “One of the guys at the tattoo shop and my best friend, Wes Hogan, sat down and showed me how to really sketch,” said Lizarraga. “He told me it doesn’t have to be perfect and to just fine tune the drawing as I go. He also told me to pay attention to all the details, even the tiniest, littlest ones and that every drawing should take anywhere from five to six hours to complete or even longer, depending on what it is you’re drawing.” Lizarraga said the most important and most challenging part of drawing is the patience it requires. “It’s all about patience, and that’s my biggest weakness,” Lizarraga added. “So I just keep challenging myself to work through it and perfect the drawing as I go.” There are two types of tattoos, free hand and stencil. Stencil is where the person will bring a drawing to the tattoo artist and they’ll scan it onto stencil paper. Once the stencil is made, it’s placed on the person’s body where they want the tattoo to go and the artist tattoos over the stencil into the skin, making it permanent. Free hand tattoos are done when the tattoo artist uses a permanent marker and free hand sketches the potential tattoo on the person’s body to then make it into a tattoo. “Free hand tattoos are more challenging because you’re put on the spot to draw it on the person and then make it a tattoo,” said Lizarraga. “But it’s also more rewarding because you don’t draw the design on paper first, you just draw it on their body and then they like it enough to make it a tattoo that’ll be on their body for the rest of their life.” After working at the tattoo shop for three years, Lizarraga joined the Navy. “I wanted a more stable income to provide for my 5-year-old daughter, Isabella,” said Lizarraga. “The tattoo shop was great but the money was never guaranteed. Plus with the veterans benefits available to me after I get out, I’ll
be able to open my own tattoo and barber shop. My main goal is to work for myself.” Lizarraga draws a lot to help pass the time, especially when out to sea. “I have my sketchbook I’ll draw in and then I have an app on my iPad called Sketchbook Pro where I can sketch on that with a stylus if I want,” said Lizarraga. “I like to draw with pen, which some people find to be weird, but I feel it challenges me more not to erase what I’ve drawn and to stick with my original idea.” Lizarraga says he likes to draw anything he can think of, and everything inspires him to draw. “I like it when people come up to me and ask me to design or draw something for them,” said Lizarraga. “Even people I don’t know have come up to me and asked if I would sketch them something. I recently did a design for the [explosive ordnance disposal] guys that they want to
make into a t-shirt design.” Throughout his years of drawing and more recent years of being a tattoo artist, one design in particular stands out as his favorite. “My favorite tattoo I’ve done is a portrait of Michael the Archangel on my best friend’s arm,” said Lizarraga. “It took about 10 hours to complete, but it’s my favorite one.” Although Lizarraga doesn’t plan to stay in the Navy and make it a career, he still values the lessons he’s learned while serving. “If there’s one thing the Navy has taught me, it’s a work ethic,” said Lizarraga. “I’ve learned how to work long hours being away from my family, how to really work on my patience, which is the one thing that’s been hard for me.”
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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HISPANICS IN THE NAVY A History of Honorable Naval Service
Story by MCSN Siobhana R. McEwen Sept. 15 thru Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Sailors may have noticed the several biographies and posters decorating the starboard side of the first class mess, or enjoyed some of the celebrations that occurred in individual departments. In 2010, there were more than 50 million Hispanics living in America and more than 43,000 serving in the Navy. Hispanic Americans have played a vital role in our nation’s history, and Navy, for hundreds of years.
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Adm. David Farragut
Capt. Marion Fredric Ramirez de Arellano, left, Rear Adm. Rafael Celestino Benitez, center, and Hospitalman Phil Isadore Valdez
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dm. David Farragut, a Hispanic-American, was the first person to achieve the rank of rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the Navy. Farragut began his naval career at just 12 years old, serving as a midshipman on board USS Essex in the War of 1812. Decades later, in the Civil War, Farragut would gain fame during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. Upon realizing the Confederates had laced the bay with mines, Farragut issued his famous words, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Storming Mobile Bay with his ship the USS Brooklyn, and other ships in his fleet, Farragut managed to dodge the barrage of torpedoes set by the Confederate navy and defeat the South in one of the major battles of the war. After the battle, Farragut was promoted to the rank of vice admiral, and two years later, he was named the first full admiral in Navy history. Capt. Marion Fredric Ramirez de Arellano was the first Hispanic commanding officer of a submarine. Ramirez
served during World War II and participated in several war patrols. Ramirez was awarded two Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, and a Letter of Commendation. In 1949, the submarine USS Cochino, under the command of Hispanic-American Rear Adm. Rafael Celestino Benitez, embarked from Portsmouth, England on the first American undersea spy mission of the Cold War. While submersed, a two-ton battery caught fire, discharging hydrogen gas. Benitez ordered the crew to begin firefighting efforts and to surface the sub. Upon surfacing, Benitez ordered some of his men to take refuge on the deck, while others fought the fire. The waves were too bad for the sub’s accompanying submarine, USS Tusk to approach and help. Benitez’s men took cover on the bridge as the flames began to consume the submarine and the crew battled to keep the vessel afloat. When the Tusk was finally able to approach the Cochino, Benitez stayed behind while his crew boarded the rescuing sub. Only after the entire crew was
safe, did Benitez abandon Cochino. Minutes later, the submarine completely sank. Hospitalman Phil Isadore Valdez was promoted to petty officer 3rd class, and awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously, for his bravery under fire Jan. 29, 1967, during the Vietnam War. Valdez treated and rescued two Marines while in open terrain and under constant fire from the enemy. While administering medical aid to the second Marine, Valdez was mortally wounded by enemy fire. The USS Valdez was commissioned in 1974. Hispanics continue to play a major role in the U.S. military today. As the Hispanic population grows in the United States, so too will it grow in the military. For more information on Hispanics in the Navy, visit http://www.history-navy.mil/
NIMITZ NEWS | SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
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DAYS OF SAIL STORY BY MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter
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e sail in the days of the “new Navy.” Our ships are steel, not wood. Beating drums and hoisted sails have given way to intercom systems and colossal propellers. We even have internet access. But tradition is not dead. Our Navy still holds with clenched fist the values and practices that have defined the word “Sailor” for hundreds of years. Even the world’s most powerful war-
ships, capable of toppling nations from beyond the horizon, are moored to shore like 18th century frigates. We have preserved numerous customs that keep the days of sail alive, but no one does it quite like Deck Department. These crossed-anchor-sporting sea dogs keep our nautical traditions on their feet.
The Boatswain’s Pipe
The Bell
According to Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Justin Alfonso, one of the oldest is the Boatswain’s Pipe. It is the Sailor’s original walkie-talkie. In the past, the ship’s boatswain distributed orders by word of mouth to his mates, who would then disseminate the information throughout the crew. In stormy seas however, verbal communication could become next to impossible. The pipe was the solution. The high-pitched whistle could cut through the wind and crashing swells to get the message across. The boatswain could deliver orders with specific coded blasts. The boatswain’s mates would then muster, or “come to call,” Alfonso said, then pipe the message back and deliver it to the rest of the ship. Piping is a purely ceremonious practice today, but we still hear the tone every morning as a wake-up call.
Sailors have used bells as on-board broadcasting systems long before the creation of the 1MC. The boatswain’s mate of the watch (BMOW) has traditionally rung a bell to signal the arrival and departure of high-ranking officers or to notify the time of day. According to Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Angel Anton, in previous generations, the BMOW would keep an hourglass on station, and ring the bell every half hour. At noon, the crew would send reports of the ship’s status to the captain, and the BMOW would strike eight bells. This was above all a signal to the crew that the captain was still in charge, Anton said. “Mutiny Prevention,” he called it. This is the origin of the twelve o’clock report.
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Lines and Knots The lines are a cornerstone of the Sailor image and a defining pillar of Deck Department. For thousands of years, Sailors around the world have used coiled plant fibers to secure everything from barrels of supplies on fishing vessels to enormous aircraft carriers in exotic ports. However, the manila (hemp) lines formerly used on Navy ships have been almost completely replaced by synthetic strands. Nylon has become the material of choice for Navy ships, Alfonso said. They don’t rot, and they degrade at a much slower pace. And according to Alfonso, many ships are now using lines made from Kevlar. The new fiber is significantly safer, Alfonso said. “They’re pretty high tech now,” he said. “When they break, there’s no snapback. They just drop.” We’ve upgraded the gear, but the basic principal is far from obsolete. Every time our warships return to shore, deck Sailors shout the same command to “heave around” and
moor to the pier as they have for centuries. “How else would we do it?” Anton said. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. There is an ancient artistry in line handling, especially when it comes to the knots. Sailors have always been the title-holding champions of tying both functional and decorative knots, and our heritage is woven into every one. The most basic, like the square knot (also called the reef knot), is still commonplace “just about everywhere,” Alfonso said. And ornate ties like the Turk’s Head have been used to adorn ceremonial items like the helms of sailing ships since the inception of the Navy. Yes, things have changed. The evolution of technology has fostered a world where wars can be fought on a digital landscape, and our eyes might be the last things we trust. But in this era of city-scale ships and instant global communication, there is still a place for the traditions that have made us who we are since the days of sail.
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19 Finance
Charitable Giving A Fun and Easy Guide Cmdr. Matthew Miller
Editor’s note: Cmdr. Matthew Miller has transferred from Nimitz, but he left this series of articles to aid the Sailors and Marines aboard in making sound financial planning and investing. He is not a Certified Financial Planner. The opinions expressed in this series of articles are his and do not guarantee any type of financial success whatsoever. There are many rules and regulations associated with taxes, fees, withdrawal penalties, and other complications that require a detailed understanding of various financial products. Before investing you should review the prospectus associated with the financial product and check with a professional to ensure you understand it and that it is right for you. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Introduction The focus of this article is on charitable giving. Although there is certainly a personal finance aspect to making donations, this topic is also about personal values too. Whether or not you donate your time or money (or something else) is a personal decision. Additionally, what organization(s) or how you choose to donate is also a personal decision. I will give you some thoughts on some things to look out for when determining how you decide to donate. How Much to Donate? This is a personal decision. I have seen all kinds of recommended guidelines for how much to donate… 10 percent of gross income, 10 percent of net income, three percent of gross income, three percent of net income, and on and on. I’ve also seen different definitions of “income” based on different time horizons (i.e. XX percent of monthly income, annual income, or lifetime income). Bottom line here is there is no right answer. There may be times in your life where you are really struggling financially and you may go months or even years without being able to donate money. There also may be times
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where you have significant extra income and you can afford to donate more money than you normally can. I really want to emphasize here that donating money or things is NOT the only way to give. When you spend time helping other people (or animals), that is a valuable way to give. Even if you don’t earn a living by charging an hourly rate, your time is worth something. I’m not encouraging you to calculate the value of your time and then take a tax deduction for volunteer hours (you aren’t allowed to do this anyway), but I am suggesting that when you take time to help others, you are doing a good thing and it is “worth” something.
How to Pick a Recipient? This is a personal decision (recurring theme). I won’t be able to help you pick a charity from a values perspective – it all depends on what is important to you. You may have had a relative die from cancer, so cancer research is important to you. You may have received a scholarship to your college, so you want to ensure others have the same opportunity you did. You may have had positive experiences with animals, so the Humane Society or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is important to you. You may be concerned about AIDS in Africa or starving children (in the U.S. or abroad). You may want to donate through your religious organization, workplace program (like the Combined Federal Campaign) or donate directly. There are literally thousands of legitimate organizations that could make good use of your money. Once you decide what is important to you, there are definitely some things you should look for from an administrative perspective. Legitimate Charity First and foremost you want to make sure the organization is legitimate. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fraudulent people who will try and get your money under the pretense of charitable giving (many of them target the military). You can check your local charity registration office, better business bureau, or the IRS for a list of tax deductible organizations. Don’t be fooled by an organization that sounds like a well known charity. All of the organizations in the Combined Federal Campaign are legitimate organizations, but be careful and look how they spend their money. Low Overhead Generally speaking you should look for organizations that don’t spend too much of their money on over-
head functions like office space, marketing expenses, salaries, etc. (as opposed to getting the money to the people/ animals in need). All organizations will have operating expenses, but you should look hard if these expenses are above 20 percent of the money they receive. 501(c)(3) Although not the only reason to give, if the organization is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS (this is the applicable section of the tax code), you will probably receive a tax deduction for your contribution (see below). Unsolicited Requests for Donations You probably receive numerous requests for donations in the mail, on the phone, from friends, at work, etc. I offer two thoughts on this: 1. Consider planning to contribute “ad hoc” as something comes up you want to support. As an example, you can plan 90 percent of your donations ahead of time and leave the remaining 10 percent for things that come up. 2. You should not feel guilty about deciding not to donate when someone asks. A great response is something like, “It sounds like your organization is doing some really good work. Supporting charities is important to me and I have already planned my charitable giving for this year. I will certainly consider supporting you next year when I update my plan.”
Tax Implications This is the part where I remind you that I’m not a certified financial planner or tax advisor, so please check with a professional before taking tax deductions for charitable donations. In most cases, you can take a tax deduction for donations to charities. The charity needs to be registered with the IRS (typically a 501(c)(3) organization). You should keep a record of your donation (receipt, canceled check, credit card statement, etc.) especially since there are now new rules requiring additional documentation for any charitable donation. You can generally deduct up to 50 percent (30 percent for some private foundations) of your adjusted gross income (this would be giving away a lot of money for most people).
Closing Charitable giving is all about what’s important to you. It doesn’t have to be money. Donating your time, your talents, or your “treasure” are all much appreciated by people and organizations (I didn’t make this up - I’ve seen this phrase from various sources). Hopefully, you make helping others an important part of your life (but if you don’t, that’s OK too).
THINK.
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