Several of the largest natural disasters have occurred recently. These include the earthquake and tsunami in South East Asia and Hurricane Katrina in the Southern United States. Thousands of disasters occur every year. They all don't affect thousands of people, but the impact is as dire for each one that has to experience it. Each time a disaster occurs our hearts go out to those affected. However, what can we do when we are many miles away?
The following are some of the ways you might contribute to others affected by a disaster:
1. Pray. If you believe that miracles happen every day, as I do, then prayer should be at the top of your list.
2. Give Blood. There is always a need for blood. Especially when major disasters occur. Contact the Red Cross to learn about giving blood and schedule a time to donate at 1-800-GIVELIFE.
3. Send Notes. Give hope to the victims of the disaster as well as the relief workers by sending an encouraging note. If you do not have specific individuals to send to, send your notes to the local area through relief agencies, churches, schools and newspapers.
4. Volunteer. Go with a group to the location of the disaster to be a part of the rebuilding process. This could be with a local church or organization. You can also donate your time to volunteer organizations that respond to disasters. One of the first to respond is the Salvation Army. You can register your desire to volunteer by contacting your local Salvation Army office.
5. Donate Funds. Make a financial contribution to organizations that support the victims of the disaster. The Red Cross responds to thousands of disasters each year. You can donate at 1-800-HELP-NOW.
6. Donate Items. When disaster strikes, people can be without necessities for a long time. You can help by donating some of these items. If you want to support relief efforts by providing items, one of the best ways is to build and send relief kits. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and Operation Blessing are two organizations that teach you how to make the relief kits and where to send them. You can contact these organizations at 1-800-814-8765 and 1-757-226-3401, respectively.
7. Provide Shelter. If you are a property owner with vacant rental housing, you might help those driven from their home. Contact Disaster Housing Resources Online to learn more and register your available space.
8. Have a Fundraiser. If you cannot afford to donate funds, conduct a fundraising event. The event does not need to be extravagant. I am aware of adults and kids that raised money for a cause by having a yard sale and selling lemonade.
9. Purchase Items. Shop at stores and eat at restaurants that donate a portion of their profits to support disaster relief efforts. You will discover several businesses making this kind of contribution following major disasters.
This list is a sample of things you could do. I challenge you to identify two or more ways you plan to contribute to disaster relief efforts. Act on them starting today.
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Kamis, 30 Juni 2011
Sabtu, 10 Juli 2010
Donating A Used Vehicle To A Charity
If you are interested in making charitable donations and claiming then on your tax return then you should consider donating a used vehicle to a charity. This will allow you to claim a deduction on your tax returns. However, there are some rules you will need to follow and some safeguards you should keep in mind.
The first thing you should do is check to see if the organization you plan on donating the vehicle to is qualified. This is actually very easy to do and all you need is an Internet connection. Go to the IRS web site and search charitable organizations and see if the one you plan on donating to is listed. If the organization is not listed then you will not be able to claim the donation on your tax returns, so this is an important step to take.
Another important question you need to ask the charity is what are their plans for the vehicle? You have every right to ask this question and receive a reasonable response. Some charities might accept vehicle donations and then sell them in order to raise money while other charities might use the car for poor people without transportation. Regardless, find out what the vehicle will be used for before you donate it. If you do not receive an answer then perhaps you will look for a different charitable organization to donate to.
Also, the IRS requires that you determine the fair market value of the vehicle to claim on your taxes. Reporting the Blue Book value is not an option, so you will have to come up with the fair market value. Fortunately, there are several IRS guides that will help you determine this number.
Another tip is to find out what laws govern the donating of a vehicle to charity in your state. Some states will require you to transfer the title to the charitable organization while other states handle the transfer differently. Also, you will need to remove any license tags from the vehicle before giving it to the charitable organization. This will keep the car separate from you once you have donated it.
After you have done the research required for donating your vehicle to charity, if you still have additional questions then you should call the IRS directly to have your questions answered. This is really the only way to get accurate information so do not rely on what the charitable organization tells you. Make sure the IRS provides you with your information.
Donating anything to charity is a good action, especially if you donate a vehicle, because you are allowing others with little to nothing lives to be a little easier. However, take care when making donations in order to make the most of them on your tax returns.
The first thing you should do is check to see if the organization you plan on donating the vehicle to is qualified. This is actually very easy to do and all you need is an Internet connection. Go to the IRS web site and search charitable organizations and see if the one you plan on donating to is listed. If the organization is not listed then you will not be able to claim the donation on your tax returns, so this is an important step to take.
Another important question you need to ask the charity is what are their plans for the vehicle? You have every right to ask this question and receive a reasonable response. Some charities might accept vehicle donations and then sell them in order to raise money while other charities might use the car for poor people without transportation. Regardless, find out what the vehicle will be used for before you donate it. If you do not receive an answer then perhaps you will look for a different charitable organization to donate to.
Also, the IRS requires that you determine the fair market value of the vehicle to claim on your taxes. Reporting the Blue Book value is not an option, so you will have to come up with the fair market value. Fortunately, there are several IRS guides that will help you determine this number.
Another tip is to find out what laws govern the donating of a vehicle to charity in your state. Some states will require you to transfer the title to the charitable organization while other states handle the transfer differently. Also, you will need to remove any license tags from the vehicle before giving it to the charitable organization. This will keep the car separate from you once you have donated it.
After you have done the research required for donating your vehicle to charity, if you still have additional questions then you should call the IRS directly to have your questions answered. This is really the only way to get accurate information so do not rely on what the charitable organization tells you. Make sure the IRS provides you with your information.
Donating anything to charity is a good action, especially if you donate a vehicle, because you are allowing others with little to nothing lives to be a little easier. However, take care when making donations in order to make the most of them on your tax returns.
Kamis, 15 April 2010
Choose To Be A Volunteer
One of the oldest adages known to mankind is from both the Golden Rule and the Christian Bible: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." "It is better to give than receive."
In today's society, those sentiments all too often get shoved aside to pave the way for personal ambition, financial success, instant gratification, and other very self rewarding behaviors we've learned. It's all dog-eat-dog and "me first."
However, humanity hasn't really changed that much: A person's most basic, primal instinct is self-preservation and self-protection.
This is certainly understandable; we are inherently "wired" to hang on, to keep on going, to try harder -- even when the "going" gets tough, as they say.
Euphemisms aside, here's a secret, and it's very, very simple: When you show appreciation for others and give of yourself, you will reap innumerable pleasurable benefits -- for yourself, of course -- but more, much more importantly, for the other person or people we're affecting.
Why? Here's another easy answer: Our second most basic instinct is simply this: to help others.
Sure, the world's a mess -- depending on how you look at it. Perspective changes everything, and when you DO change your perspective, say, from negative to positive, you won't believe the effects it will have on both your mental and physical
well-being.
When's the last time you visited a elderly person? Remember, if we're lucky, we're all going to be "elderly" someday. Can you recall how you felt while you were in this person's presence? Can you remember thinking, "I want to make this person happy; nothing else really matters right now"?
Or when you drop a dollar in the blind man's tin bucket as he plays guitar on the street, don't you feel more humble, more a part of the world around you, and closer to everyone, in that one moment? When's the last time a really simple act of kindness on your behalf nearly brought tears to your eyes or gave you a chill?"
Those moments are precious to our very spirit, because they fulfill part of our reason to be here: to switch channels from the "me" category and, even just for a moment, appreciate the light and happiness we can bring to others -- simply by paying attention to them, and simply by sharing who we are with who they are. It's often also said that "No man is an island." John Donne was right. We aren't meant to live alone; that's why there are so many of us!
Giving can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Volunteering has a positive effect on your community AND yourself.
One last hint: Don't assume that what would be rewarding to you is going to automatically be rewarding to others. Some people like amusement parks, others like opera. Some like fast food, others are vegetarian. Some people crave time off, others want recognition. You get the picture. Instead of spending money and energy into doing something for someone that they may not like or appreciate, just give of yourself. That's the only priceless gift.
In today's society, those sentiments all too often get shoved aside to pave the way for personal ambition, financial success, instant gratification, and other very self rewarding behaviors we've learned. It's all dog-eat-dog and "me first."
However, humanity hasn't really changed that much: A person's most basic, primal instinct is self-preservation and self-protection.
This is certainly understandable; we are inherently "wired" to hang on, to keep on going, to try harder -- even when the "going" gets tough, as they say.
Euphemisms aside, here's a secret, and it's very, very simple: When you show appreciation for others and give of yourself, you will reap innumerable pleasurable benefits -- for yourself, of course -- but more, much more importantly, for the other person or people we're affecting.
Why? Here's another easy answer: Our second most basic instinct is simply this: to help others.
Sure, the world's a mess -- depending on how you look at it. Perspective changes everything, and when you DO change your perspective, say, from negative to positive, you won't believe the effects it will have on both your mental and physical
well-being.
When's the last time you visited a elderly person? Remember, if we're lucky, we're all going to be "elderly" someday. Can you recall how you felt while you were in this person's presence? Can you remember thinking, "I want to make this person happy; nothing else really matters right now"?
Or when you drop a dollar in the blind man's tin bucket as he plays guitar on the street, don't you feel more humble, more a part of the world around you, and closer to everyone, in that one moment? When's the last time a really simple act of kindness on your behalf nearly brought tears to your eyes or gave you a chill?"
Those moments are precious to our very spirit, because they fulfill part of our reason to be here: to switch channels from the "me" category and, even just for a moment, appreciate the light and happiness we can bring to others -- simply by paying attention to them, and simply by sharing who we are with who they are. It's often also said that "No man is an island." John Donne was right. We aren't meant to live alone; that's why there are so many of us!
Giving can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Volunteering has a positive effect on your community AND yourself.
One last hint: Don't assume that what would be rewarding to you is going to automatically be rewarding to others. Some people like amusement parks, others like opera. Some like fast food, others are vegetarian. Some people crave time off, others want recognition. You get the picture. Instead of spending money and energy into doing something for someone that they may not like or appreciate, just give of yourself. That's the only priceless gift.
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