VirtualeCharities

Caring for an Autistic Child

2008-12-19T08:38:00.001-08:00

Autistic Child Care by: Mary Rose

Autistic child care should start as early as possible. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears before age three and in some cases as early as 18 months. It is a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain in areas of communication and social interaction. Although the characteristics might be the same, each person is very unique. Autism is a spectrum disorder whose characteristics can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations from mild to severe. An autistic child can be identified very early. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child. Normally a child of 12 months is expected to babble, say a few words, pick up gestures like pointing and share emotions like smiling with parents. In some cases, the baby seemed different from birth, unresponsive to people or focusing keenly on one item for long periods of time. The first signs of an autistic spectrum disorder can also appear in children who seem to have been developing normally. When an engaging, babbling toddler suddenly becomes silent, withdrawn, self-abusive, or indifferent to social overtures, something is wrong. Autistic child care is best done if the condition is diagnosed before the age of three. The best approach towards it is to count the child's strengths rather than the weaknesses. People use different terms to describe individuals within the autistic spectrum, such as autistic tendencies, high or low-functioning autism, or autism spectrum. Whatever the term, an autistic child can learn and function productively given the appropriate educational plan. Visual and not verbal clue should be focused in building an exhaustive module, to reach out to individuals falling in the spectrum of autism. We need to break routine way of teaching to encourage flexibility and stress on unambiguous communication. We must teach the autistic child life skills in a way that they can easily recall or relate to. Visual augmentation helps a child communicate better. Autistic child suffers from social deficits like speech impairment, problem in understanding others' perception and context and normally communicate in a way that is not understood by others. We have to teach them to communicate in socially identifiable way. Structure makes tasks predictable, reduces anxiety in the child. One can develop a concept using visual gestures. This helps the child which is struggling to recall the sequence. An autistic child's behavior is often mistaken as unruly. But it is only when the child is unable to communicate, it responds aggressively.So, we need to equip the child with better tools to communicate. Structured teaching can be beneficial to help the child pick up life skills. Awareness has to be created to enable families to carry out autistic child care in a better manner. They need to have access to better medical management of the related disorders like aggression, hyperactivity and irritability. Parents need to learn to communicate and give out unambiguous instruction to their wards. There should be support for employment and opportunity for autistic individuals in the society.
About The Author
Mary Rose has authored several books including books related to children and child care.For more information logon http://www.casanads.com/bm/children.htm

Help Needed in Burma and China

2008-05-19T03:02:00.000-07:00

Due to the recent disasters in Burma and China more help than ever is needed from you. Please give to the charity of your choice. Burma is now allowing foreign aide. China has already accepted foreign aid and expects to need more as the number of dead mounts.
God Bless.

Paris Hilton - Are You There?

2007-12-10T08:15:00.001-08:00

Dear Paris, Here's An Idea…. by: Jennifer Jordan
For the past few weeks, I've been astonished to find there's been no front page news on the life and times of Hilton heiress, Paris. I mean, with America at war, the healthcare system in disarray, and a presidential election creeping up, what else could possibly be more worthy of breaking news than Paris's recovery from her time in the slammer. We're all praying for you dear Paris; get well soon. I'm sure I'm not the only one surprised by this; half of America probably expects Paris to randomly appear on every news station, perhaps speaking at the next State of the Union Address, where - when asked about her feelings on Iraq - she replies, "I'd love to go there; I've never been to Africa" and then concludes her speech with her signature catch phrase, "That's hot." Her dad beams with pride, her mom applauds enthusiastically, her dog Tinkerbell piddles from excitement. Right….and the world goes further to hell in a hand basket….a designer hand basket, mind you. Sarcasm aside, I, like so many other people, simply don't get why Paris Hilton is such a big deal. So, she's a heiress to the Hilton hotel chain. So what? I'm set to inherit my dad's one-man janitorial company and you don't see me getting attention (and he has a really expensive mop, people!). So she's blond, tall and thin. I can dye my hair, wear heels, and throw up after I eat. If that doesn't get me Paris-like attention, I guess I could just stop wearing underwear. I will miss you fruit-of-the-loom. Truth be told, the whole Paris fascination is a bit of an enigma: she's not a big deal, she just makes herself one and that, in turn, makes everyone bite…even if they don't like the taste. Look at this article, I'm doing it too. The Guiness Book of World Records hit the nail on the head in their 2007 edition when Paris received the record for "Most Overrated Person." Still, it's attention, albeit negative attention, and that's probably enough for Paris to deem it "hot." I guess the whole Paris thing just makes me mad. Here is a person who doesn't need to worry about a job or paying rent or whether or not she can afford her healthcare premiums. She's been born with a silver spoon in hand and yet can't even seem to dish out anything good. Is she helping make the world a better place? Does she take her elevated status in society and use it to help others by dedicating her life to a worthy cause? Other than the few license plates she may have pounded out in prison, has she really contributed anything tangible to society? Seems to me the only things she adds to our culture are scandals. I don't know about you, but I'm just about all scandaled out. They're so "Amy Fisher." So, dear Paris, here's an idea…instead of parading around in shirts with that oh so clever (and grammatically incorrect) catch phrase of "Thats Hot. Your Not," go give back to the world. In lieu of hopping from party to party (all while trying to avoid those "pesky" laws) go and do something that helps others. Take your money, take your fame, and take your undeserved power and volunteer at a Children's Hospital, fight for animals, donate money to help the African AIDS crisis, head a fundraiser that helps cancer research. Don't do this for five minutes once a month; include them in your life's dedications. When you start to do this, your biggest dream will come true: you'll find that you really are a big deal after all.
About The Author
Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.turbocellcharge.com/. Possessing an infatuation with pop culture – and a gift for stalking – she keeps up on the latest news of the musical world.

Children's Charities

2007-08-25T06:07:00.001-07:00

Helping Children's Charities With Your Credit Card by: Joseph Kenny
People donate to charity in a number of ways. They give old clothes, bake and sell cakes, or contribute their time. Now there's an even easier way to support your favourite charity by using your credit card. People have been able to use their credit cards to make direct payments to charity for quite some time. But now many charities are automating the practice of receiving donations by launching their own credit cards backed by major banks. Charity Credit Cards – How They Work Charity credit cards donate to charities in two ways. People apply for credit cards as usual. Once the application is accepted, the issuing bank donates a lump sum to the charity. This can vary considerably, from as little as £5 to £40 or more. The second part of the donation is a fixed percentage of spending on credit card purchases. Again, this rate can vary from around 0.25% to 1%. This means that charities get 25 pence for every £100 spent on the card. Some card issuers offer an incentive for repeated spending on the card or for continuing to keep the card. This usually means another lump sum donation to the charity at the end of a set period, such as a year. Children's Charity Credit Cards There are many charities that issue credit cards, including many popular children's charities. The NSPCC (National Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children) card is backed by Halifax and offers a preferential rate on balance transfers for six months. Other credit cards for charities that benefit children include: 1. Barnardos – issued by Cooperative Bank 2. Children in Crisis – issued by Cooperative Bank 3. Childline - issued by MBNA 4. Children's Aid – issued by Cooperative Bank 5. Children's Society – issued by Cooperative Bank 6. Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital - 7. Mencap – issued by Halifax 8. Save the Children – issued by Cooperative Bank All of these credit cards offer a one-off donation when the card is issued, a percentage of spending donated to charity and an additional donation for continued use of the credit card. Looking For The Best Charity Credit Card Deal In addition to donating to charity, most charity credit cards offer the same benefits as other credit cards. It is worth shopping around for the best deal. There are many websites that have credit card comparison charts to help people decide on the best mix of features. Many charity credit cards have introductory offers. These include 0% balance transfer rates for fixed periods. Some card issuers charge a one-off fee for balance transfers to stop the practice of rate jumping. Other introductory offers include long term low interest rates, low or 0% interest rates on purchases, reward points and more. Shopping around for the best credit card deal will give consumers a credit card that suits their spending habits. At the same time, they will be able to automate their charitable contributions. This benefits both consumers and charities.
About The Author
Joe Kenny writes for CardGuide.co.uk, with the latest credit cards, and more info on the best credit cards. Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/

Donating a Car to Charity

2006-12-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

Donate a Car to Charity; You’ll be Glad you Did! by: Seth Scolack
When you donate a car to charity, you are helping a person fulfill a need that they are unable to fulfill themselves. Most of us take for granted the convenience of our car, but for other people, a car is not only convenient but it may also help them to earn a living or provide kids with transportation to school. Besides having helped someone else, there are several other practical reasons why you should donate your car to charity.
For many of us, the thought of having to try and sell our old car that we have had for years is a bad one. Haggling over price with a car dealer and having to spend money to ensure the vehicle is in good enough condition to sell is a nuisance. In fact, spending the time and money on an already old car is sometimes actually counterproductive and ends up costing more money than it’s worth. When you donate a car to charity, you are not required to see that your vehicle is up to working standard. Furthermore, you do not have to spend the money to get your car towed to a lot. You do not have to place an ad in the paper and wait around for people to call or visit your less than perfect automobile. When it comes down to it, selling an old car requires effort. If you are in the position to part with your car and the money that you might make on selling it is minimal, you might just simply choose to donate it.
Speaking of money, one of the great benefits of donating your car to charity is that you are eligible for a tax deduction. In the United States, if you donate to a charity classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. Before donating your car, it is useful to know the fair market value, which can be assessed by using one of the several guidebooks on the subject. Also, be clear on what your charity will do with the car, as it will make a difference in your tax break depending on whether the car is resold or broken down for parts. Taking the time to speak directly with your chosen charity will answer all your questions and give you a good idea of how they operate.
Donating your car to charity will help someone and will also benefit you. Whether it is to save yourself the inconvenience of selling an old car or not, you can still feel good knowing that you have been generous.
About The Author
Seth Scolack is an avid philanthropist who donates his time and experience in an effort to help others. He writes about nonprofit fundraising and provides other tips for making donations easy. Savvy Seth's Donate a Car to Charity - (www.savvyseth.com).

Alabama School Bus Crash Victims Fund

2006-11-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

Fourth Person Dies from Huntsville, Alabama Bus Crash
A fourth person has died from the Huntsville, Alabama school bus crash. The accident on Huntsville's I-565 involving a school bus and an orange Toyota has brought on many questions and much speculation. So, I am going to speculate too. Having driven that portion of I-565, I know from experience that it is somewhat dangerous due to poor design. The ramp offers two lanes leading to the overpass, but the right land ends too soon forcing drivers to cut sharply left and resulting and lots of near misses, angry drivers, and at least one birdie finger that I am aware of(ok..responsible for). The other possibility is that the Toyota may have had a bad strut or flat tire(s). From the news footage, it was visible that the right rear tire was gone, and the right front appeared flat as well. If the right side went flat on either tire, in conjuction with worn out struts, then the car would go to the left rather abruptly. I also used to ride the bus to tech school, the same tech school this kids were headed to, I feel for them and their friends. Tech school is greatly under rated by many parents, but I found it to be a great experience and full of very hard working and honest kids. A fund has been started to help these kids at Redstone Federal Credit Union in Huntsville.

Backpacks for Charity

2006-03-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

Backpacks for Charity by: Elaine Smith
There are several sites on the web, that describe programs that provide backpacks full of school supplies to needy children, and backpacks full of toiletries and other necessities for wounded military personnel and for victims of disasters.
A sixteen year old girl, with the help of her Mom and some friends, bought 200 backpacks and filled them with toiletries and other necessities for the victims of Huuricane Katrina. They did this with their own funds except for a wonderful donor who provided the money for shipping the backpacks to the affected area.
There are several church groups all over the country, that have programs which provide backpacks stuffed with all sorts of school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, glue and whatever other school supplies they can think of to include. Some scout and youth groups are picking up on and joining this effort.
One program run by couple in California, supplies the children of migrant workers with backpacks and school supplies. They run the program form their garage. They also help poor migrant workers with things like food, clothing, housing and job assistance. A 10 year-old boy in Boca Raton Florida, dreamed up a way to help children in his area.
He began to fill backpacks with school supplies for kids who needed them. By the time he was 11, he had a real organization, and had qualified as a charity under IRS rules. The group donates backpacks loaded with notebooks, paper, pencils, glue and other essentials, to schools and charities, all over the state of Florida, that ask for them.
The young man says that if they tell him kids need the packs, “that’s good enough for me.” The word about this group spread quickly among corporations and non-profit organizations. Corporate foundations, local companies, his Dad’s clients and family and friends all donated cash and supplies. By the time this kid was sixteen he had managed to distribute over 8,000 loaded backpacks.
One of the nations leading office supply companies donated most of the backpacks they have donated about $257,000 in cash and supplies. The young man had enlisted 20 of his friends to help fill the packs, and to personalize them,, and by writing the names of recipients on the luggage tags attached to each pack. The boy’s mom dad, and half-brother all help, and are officers in the organization, however he writes all his own appeal letters.
The last we knew he was worried about finding a successor, since he was heading off to college. He was worrying that the organization would have to shutdown. This would be a great loss, not only to the kids in need, but also to the rest of us, who no matter what our age, can learn from his example. In cities and towns all over the U.S. churches, civic groups, and individuals have been donating backpack with school stuff to kids and packs with toiletries and other items to adults in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They have no idea what a sign of hope these things are to us.
About The Author
Elaine Smith is a freelance writer with advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of School Backpacks her numerous articles provide a resource of interesting and information. Visit her website for more info. http://www.backpack-n-backpacks.com.

Earthquake Victims

2005-12-19T10:32:00.000-08:00

Please take $1 of your Christmas money and help the victims of the Pakistan /India earthquake. Charities are tapped out and so are you, but the victims of the quake are cold and in need of help. Just a buck, come on..please, God will bless you.

Fundraising

2005-12-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Fundraising Letters: Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Ask Anyone For A Donation by: Alan Sharpe
I have a brother-in-law who farms and drives a 16-wheeler for a living. When I told him that I start each business day with a blank computer screen that I must fill with at least 1,000 words by noon, he almost fainted. He says he could never do it because he wouldn’t know where to start. But the same goes for me when it comes to pulling the engine out of a John Deere 6020 Series tractor.
My brother-in-law is correct, of course. You can’t write an effective fundraising letter unless you know where to start. The most important part of any direct mail fundraising appeal is what you do before you write a word of the package.
Poorly conceived appeals lead to poor results. Letters written in haste usually waste money and hinder donations.
The secret to attracting new donors, renewing support, raising funds, building relationships and retaining loyal donors with direct mail is to ask yourself the tough questions before you ask anyone for a donation. You need to know who you are writing to, why you are writing them, and what you want them to do.
Here are some tips for increasing your chances of success by answering the vital questions that leading fundraisers ask before writing a single line of copy.
1. Who are you writing to?
Most of your donors share a common trait. What is it? Are they all touched by heart disease in some way? Are they all veterans? Are they all former students of your university? Are they all theatre-goers?
Understanding your audience is the first step because who you mail to is the single most important determinant of your success. You can craft the most moving appeal letter of the decade but your campaign will flop if you mail it to the wrong people.
Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself to get a better understanding of your donors—and how to appeal to them in a relevant way that motivates them to give.
* What are they passionate about—what makes them furious?
* What is their affinity with your organization—strangers? Regular donors? Major donors? Former donors? Volunteers? Clients?
* What types of appeals (emergency, renewal, acquisition, year-end) generate the highest response and largest gifts with this audience?
2. Why are you writing?
That sounds like a dumb question, right? You are writing because you need money! That’s a given. But as someone has so well said, “Your donors do not give to you because you have a need. They give to you because you meet a need.”
This means you need to take your attention away from your financial need and turn it to your cause. What crisis, opportunity, current event, issue or need is causing you to appeal for funds today? Focus on that and not on your need for funds. Here are some other questions to ask at this stage:
* What is the goal of this appeal letter, exactly? Acquire new donors or members? Get your current supporters or members to renew their support or membership? Raise funds for a particular project? Recover lapsed donors or members?
* What will you do with the money raised? Put it in your general fund? Spend it on a designated project or program? Reduce your deficit? Buy some capital equipment? Donors want to know.
* Why do you think donors will respond now? Have they responded to similar appeals? Have they supported similar organizations?
3. What do you want your readers to do?
“We want them to mail a gift, the larger the better!” Not so fast. Are you writing to business peers, inviting them to join your organization as members? Or are you mailing to existing donors, asking them to renew their support by mailing you a gift? Or are you writing to major donors, inviting them to join your giving club (President’s Circle, for example)?
In each of these cases, the action you want your reader to take will be different. So make sure you know what action your readers must take before you start writing. Consider these other questions:
* What other actions do you want your readers to take? (Request information about planned giving? Sign and mail a petition to their member of parliament? Complete and return a survey? Refer a friend?)
* How much do you want them to give? What is the amount of money that you want to receive from each person who receives your letter?
* What is the minimum size of gift you need? What is the largest gift that you can reasonably expect?
Some of these questions are easier to answer than the others, depending on where you are in your annual giving program, the age of your organization and the nature of your mission. But asking them (along with the many other questions you must ask yourself before committing money to a mailing) should reduce your mailing costs, eliminate waste and increase your response rates and levels of giving.
About The Author
Alan Sharpe is a professional fundraising letter writer. Sign up for free weekly tips like this at www.RaiserSharpe.com.
alan@sharpecopy.com

Donating Art

2005-12-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Donating Art by: Corinne Cain
Compare donating art to adopting art: both require planning.
• Locate a qualifying institution to accept the item.
• Pass the related use test.
• Arrange for an appraisal not more than 60 days ahead of the date of gift.
• Obtain a letter of acceptance dated prior to December 31 of the year you plan to take the deduction.
• Deliver the property to the institution.
Want to make sure what you are about to read is correct? Get the IRS publications 1) 526 Charitable Contributions and 2) 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property. You can get these publications on the Internet at www.irs.ustreas.gov or you can call 800-TAX-FORMS (800 829-3676) to order them.
Publication 526 specifies that “a charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization.” A qualified organization is a “nonprofit group that is religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary in purpose or that work to prevent cruelty to children or animals.” The amount is generally limited to 50% of your adjusted gross income, but in some cases 20% and 30% limits may apply. The detailing of which of these limits applies is on page 9 and 10 of Publication 526. You can carryover unused deductions for a maximum of 5 years.
Form 8283
You must complete Form 8283 and have it accompany your donation. This form identifies who receives the gift, its condition, how, and when you acquired the gift, and its fair market value as of the date of gift. If you received the item as a gift from an artist, you can only deduct the artist’s basis, which is the cost of materials needed to create the art work.
Related-Use Test
Related use is a concept that was instituted roughly 10 years ago to prevent citizens from donating items to organizations that were inconsistent with their collection direction. For example, if you gift a Civil War sword to a clock museum, a 19th century doll to a contemporary art museum, an Art Deco sculpture to a science museum, this pairing will not pass the related-use test. Flunking the related-use test mandates a deduction that is limited to your cost or basis.
The first question in Tax Court is: “On what day did the appraiser view the property?” Your appraiser must personally inspect the property. If you jump ahead and send the piece across the country to a qualified organization that fits the related use test, you will also need to ship your appraiser to inspect it or find one who can visit the piece in person. The following people cannot perform the appraisal: anyone associated with the qualified organization receiving the gift, the dealer who sold it to you, anyone who a reasonable person could imagine would have a bias in producing a value. The appraiser must be someone who holds themselves out to be a professional appraiser.
The report can be prepared after the date of gift, but not more than 60 days before the date of donation. Another time sensitive element is the date of the qualifying organization’s acceptance letter. A representative of the qualifying organization using that organization’s stationery must write the donor an acceptance letter dated no later than December 31 of the year you plan to take the deduction. If giving a fractional interest, a new appraisal must be prepared for each year a percentage of the item is given.
Timing is a key issue with respect to accession meetings. These generally take place once a month and often a quorum of Trustees or committee members must be present. Contact the organization on December 20 and you may be told they held their last meeting for the year on December 11.
Word of caution, a gift means “it is not yours anymore”. Most organizations will not allow you to specify how and when it is to be exhibited. Deliver the item to the organization and mentally separate from it. Do consider closely if you want to be cited as the donor or if you would prefer to have the citation read “anonymous donor”.
Tax forms frighten everyone, but thankfully, the 8283 Form is quite simple to complete. Specify your name and social security number and then fill in different parts, depending on the fair market value of the property given. Section A Part I is to be filled in if the deduction is $5,000 or less. There you give the name and address of the organization receiving the gift as well as a description of the property. Then specify the date of the contribution, the date acquired, how it was acquired and the your cost or basis, its fair market value and the method used to determine fair market value. Section B Part I is for property that is worth more than $5,000, where you are asked the same information. If the fair market value is greater than $5,000, the qualifying organization has to complete Part IV of Section B. Part III is completed by the appraiser.
If you are donating property with a fair market value of $500 or more, you must complete Form 8283. You may be asked for an appraisal if the value is greater than $5,000. You must attach an appraisal to your IRS filing, if the value is $20,000 or greater. It is generally understood that donated property valued at $20,000 or greater will be reviewed by the Art Advisory Panel.
About The Author
Corinne Cain is the principal of Corinne Cain, Ltd, a nationally recognized firm affording expert appraisal and consulting services on Fine Art and Native American Art. Her background includes an MFA and MBA from Southern Methodist University. Ms. Cain is also the proprietor of Savvycollector.com, a nationally known secondary art market dealer.
Copyright Corinne Cain, 2005

iCommunity

2005-12-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

ICommunityFoundation – A Concept Whose Time Has Come by: Michael Saunders
There has been much focus on the digital divide and the threat that underserved populations would be left even further behind as the digital revolution changes every aspect of our society. The human services nonprofit organization plays a large role in the dealing with the issues of the underserved communities in our society and play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. Nonprofits can only fulfill this promise if they themselves have the technology skills and tools to effectively navigate through this new world. The Internet Community Foundation would ensure that nonprofit organizations have these capabilities.
The iCommunityFoundation would use the power and reach of the World Wide Web to revolutionize how citizens engage in philanthropy. iCommunityFoundation would allow human services nonprofits to structure and present requests for technology support on the WWW to a population of “techno-savvy” donors. Through strategic relationships with community foundations and charitable gift funds sponsored by financial services organizations the foundation would supply a qualified set of philanthropic opportunities to a large pool of ready donors.
The iCommunityFoundation could leverage of the technological savvy of organizations like HandsNet, CompuMentor and Compasspoint Nonprofit Services in providing online networks and technology training for the human services community to ensure that the technology requests are well thought out and have the required elements for a high likelihood of success. The foundation would also provide nonprofits with access to the tools and resources required to ensure successful implementation of their proposed projects.
Through a set of easy templates, nonprofits would be able to construct short two page requests for funding. The requests would be categorized by location, type and scope of project, issue area focus of the organization and size of request. Donors would be able to search the database for projects in their local areas or for which they have a natural affinity. iCommunityFoundation would collect the funds and direct it to the designated nonprofit organization.
The infrastructure is in place it’s time for action.
Copyright © Michael Saunders http://www.HandsNet.org
[ Submitted with ArticleSubmitter Pro - http://www.articlecity.com/article_submitter_pro.shtml
About The Author
Michael Saunders has worked in the area of online information for more than 20 years. He maintains a daily Human Services News Service a site focused on Issues facing Low Income Communities and a site on Foundation Grants.
NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this article within your website or newsletter as long as you leave the article fully intact and include the "About The Author" resource box. Thanks! :-)

Being Charitable to All

2005-11-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

How to Show Your Appreciation by: Janice Dunbar
The Perfect Gift Box
When someone does something really special for you, what better way to show your appreciation than with a thank you gift box? People do nice things every day without any reward at all, but a "thank you" gesture is a great way to let them know that you noticed and truly care.
At work, a thank you gift box is the perfect way to let employees know that you recognize their hard work, particularly if they have put in long hours. Not only will they be glad you noticed their diligence, but next time around they will be even more motivated to over and beyond the call of duty because they know that it’s appreciated and rewarded. Sending a gift box is always a great way to thank colleague who have gone above and beyond to help you.
A thank you gift box is appropriate for your child’s teacher, postman, pastor, friend or anyone else who makes your load a little easier. Letting people know how much you appreciate them can go a long way toward building lifelong relationships.
The gift box can include a variety of goodies such as gourmet caramel apples, a, pretzels and many other items.
About The Author
Janice Dunbar is the owner of Richland Gourmet Apples which offers a wide selection of gourmet caramel apples. Visit our website at www.richlandgourmetapples.com.

Benefits of Giving to Charity

2005-11-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Benefits of Giving to Charity by: Cait Genereuse
Five Benefits Charity Provides
Giving to charity benefits yourself as much or more than it benefits those to whom you give. That reason alone should be sufficient to justify starting now. If you need more convincing, read on:
1. Giving to a charity helps make our communities better places to live by helping to provide goods and services to people who might not otherwise have access to them. When we raise the standard of living for the the least able among us, we raise our own standard of living in turn.
2. What motivates you more: Having stuff or feeling good? If you chose the latter, you're not alone. Many have found over centuries of recorded history that their ultimate satisfaction came from helping those in need.
3. Those who witness our giving are reminded that we are all interdependent on one another for our care and well-being. That reminder can have a viral effect and motivate countless others to follow your example.
4. At the very least, your gifts to charity will be rewarded, in part, by the government in the form of a reduced tax liability. Business owners can especially benefit from this if they give through their businesses.
5. Some believe that what they give to the world is returned to them threefold, sevenfold, or even tenfold! Their experiences bear out their beliefs. The only way you'll find out is to start.
Any gift to a charity is better than no gift. Start at a level you're comfortable with now. Increase if, or more likely when, you feel able and willing to. Look at what your generosity does for others, and also observe the good that it does for you.
About The Author
Writer Cait Genereuse invites you to read more articles like this at her website, Rx for Charity. While you are there, subscribe to her newsletter. Go to http://www.rxforcharity.com/.

Charity Donations

2005-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

Charity Donations Basics by: Mansi Gupta
Charity is perhaps the best feature of humanity. It is a perfect way to support the downtrodden. There are many types of natural and man-made evils in our society. So, there are variable causes for which the blessed ones can and should donate. Unlike before, nowadays there are numerous charitable institutions across the globes that are working in different areas. The main aim of a charitable organization is to help the people in need and work for their development. For instance helping in the rehabilitation of victims of natural disasters like famines, tsunami, earthquakes etc., working for prisoners of war or any oppressed community, child education, women upliftment and so forth are some different tasks taken up by these organizations. So, charitable organizations can variously be literary, religious, scientific and so forth. These organizations largely rely on government grants and the charities/ donations by the well-to-do section of society in order to function or continue with their respective social service. However, people may have different motives behind donating money in these charitable foundations. While there are those who contribute for the sake of human welfare there are others who do it to earn recognition and save tax. Tax wavier possibly is one of the foremost reasons at the moment that instigates many affluent people, multinational companies, and corporations to give money in these institutions. However, those who donate for the purpose of saving tax should keep in mind that every charity is not tax deductible.
There are basically two types of non-profit organizations.
1. Charitable institutions that are exempted from paying taxes.
2. Institutions to which the donations made are tax-free. Such organizations are registered under the 501 (c)(3) category of the Internal Revenue Service. Once you make a donation to any such organization, get a receipt made as evidence to assist you in tax deduction.
But besides enlisted in the 501 (C)(3) category, several other things about an organization should be considered before making a donation.
• Check the annual report of the organization. Annual report will brief you with the requisite crucial details such as current work, situation, finances etc. of the organization.
• Also take into consideration the institutions aims and means proposed to achieve them.
• Notice the amount of donations the charity receives annually and its sources.
• In case of door- to- door solicitations, prior to parting off with your money, try to wrinkle out the important details (the name, full address, goals, licensing, tax deduction and so forth) of the organization. If that person is unable to present the details, he might be fake, trying to befool people.
Charities can be made in different forms. Giving cash is one way; other ways include giving those items that the constitution requires. For example if the charity is working for rehabilitation of tsunami victims then facilitating it with tents, food stuffs, clothing etc. will be an appropriate rather wonderful charity. Generally people are under the illusion that only large sum of money can be given as charity, but this is not the case like. Donation can be as small as 10 or 20 dollars. The amount does not actually make a difference, what actually matters are your philanthropic feelings and desire to contribute.
About The Author
Mansi Gupta writes about charity donations. Learn more at http://www.givingtocharities.com.

Free Apple Pie Recipe

2005-11-15T12:25:00.000-08:00

Grandma's Apple Pie by: David Jones
One Year my parents gave my wife and I several bags of apples from a local orchard. Most of them were Golden Delicious and we were instructed not to cook with these,"..they are for eating only.". When we arrived home my wife's Grandmother stopped by and spotted the bags of apples. She said "Would you like me to make a pie with those?". We instantly responded YES! The pie was incredible! So, here it is:
APPLE PIE RECIPE
5 or 6 apples
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)
1/2 stick of butter or margarine (optional)
2 TBSP flour (optional)
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 frozen pie crust
Peel and cut up apples into small pieces. Put apples in a bowl of water and lemon juice to keep from
turning brown and to keep fresh. In a separate bowl, mix sugars, flour, salt, cinnamon
and nutmeg. Add about half of the sugar mixture to the apples. Add softened margarine (optional).
Stir all together. Pour apples into frozen 9 inch pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately
1 1/4 hours. After the pie starts cooking for about 20 minutes add the rest of the sugar mixture and baste apples every 20 minutes.
About The Author
David Jones
More recipes are available free at http://www.VirtualeMedia.com. Also check out http://www.GeminiMalls.com for your Christmas shopping convenience.

Free Recipe Banana Bread

2005-11-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

Banana Bread Recipe
3 or 4 ripe bananas
3 eggs (or egg substitute) beaten lightly
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts(macadamia etc)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup oatmeal
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
pinch of salt

In large bowl, mix bananas, eggs, butter, sugar and vanilla until combined. Add remaining ingredients and mix together. Grease and flour two bread pans and bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes. Lower temperature to 300 degrees F and bake another 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Give

2005-11-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

The Recent Tornados in Indiana and Northern Kentucky have brought about more need for help from you..We offer a list of charities and charity information websites for your convenience. Also, things are not improving in India, Kashmir and Pakistan..please help if you can.

Links

2005-11-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

Charity Links
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GUIDESTAR - Charities research site
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PROJECT HOPE
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SAVE THE CHILDREN
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THE RED CROSS
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DIRECT RELIEF
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CARE
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AHH-USA
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MERCY CORPS

Charities

2005-11-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Charity Links

The people at GeminiSoftwareSystems wish to express their sympathy for all the victims of Hurricanes, the Tsunami and the latest earthquake in Pakistan, Kashmir and India. The earthquake victims need help immediately as winter is approaching and many are left outdoors without food or medical care. Just send anything you can, $1, $5 or even $1,000. Just do it now before it is too late.