Good News – No Cap on Charitable Donations
January 9, 2013 Leave a comment
Blindness does not always mean completely blind. The Lighthouse helps those who are ‘low vision’ to develop their remaining vision, in addition to other senses, in order to live independently.
Good News for Donors and Nonprofit Agencies
Submitted by Lighthouse Volunteer,
Caryl Melancon
According to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which was signed onto law by President Obama on January 2nd, there will be no cap on charitable donations. They will continue to be coupled with an individual or household’s tax rate. Additionally, the IRA charitable rollover has been extended to December 31, 2013.That means that someone age 70 ½ or older can make a tax free contribution from an IRA of up to $100,000 per taxpayer, per year.
That’s good news for charities and for those interested in donating to non-profit organizations. But who are the people that give and why do they give? Studies show that individual perceptions are at the heart of giving, and despite what you may think, most donations to charities come from middle class Americans not the rich. Why do these people give? According to research, some of the reasons that people give to charitable causes include:
- Personal experience
- Want to make a difference
- Want to do something about a problem
- Motivated by personal recognition and benefits
- Believe giving is a good thing to do
If you are considering making a charitable donation, I ask that you to consider giving to Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind. Here are a few good reasons:
- Imagine being the parent of a blind or visually impaired baby or child. What can you do to help your child grow into a happy, independent adult? Answer – enroll them in the Lighthouse’s Blind Babies Program and Children’s Program. The Blind Babies Program, which is for babies from birth to 5 years old and their parents, provides training in sensory development and teaches the babies how to explore the world without sight. The Children’s Program, which is for children ages 5 to 13, their siblings, and their parents, helps visually impaired children develop daily living and social skills, computer skills, Braille reading and writing skills, and they develop confidence in their abilities. Parents of these children, also, are helped to adjust to their child’s vision loss and learn ways to support their child in the quest for maximum independence.
- If you’re an adult or senior, losing your vision is one of the most frightening things that can happen to you. How can you cope with this disability? Answer – by taking the Lighthouse’s Independent Living Skills Program. Lighthouse’s programs for adults and seniors include independent living skills, Braille literacy, assistive technology and computer training, and for adults of working age, work skills, job readiness, and even assistance in looking for employment. Support groups, also, are available to help individuals deal with isolation and uncertainty.
Blind or visually impaired individuals of any age need your help. They want and need to learn the skills that will enable them to achieve their maximum independence. The Lighthouse offers these free programs and services to help them reach their goals for independence, thanks to our donors’ generosity.
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind needs financial support from the public to continue helping individuals who have lost the precious gift of sight and are struggling to maintain their independence. If you have given to the Lighthouse in past, we thank you and hope that you will continue to support our efforts. If you haven’t given before, we hope you will consider supporting our much needed programs. For all the ways you can help, please visit http://lvib.org/help. Remember:
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
- Mark Twain (1835-1910)
About the Lighthouse
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind offers free adaptive training for persons who are blind and visually impaired of all ages, living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. We are partially funded by the Florida Division of Blind Services, the United Way of Pasco and Hernando Counties, and Pasco County Commissioners. We rely on fundraising to meet the need for service.
Please contact the Lighthouse for more information:
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.
Pasco: 8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey, FL 34668, Phone: (727) 815-0303
Hernando: 6492 California St., Brooksville, FL 34604, Phone: (352) 754-1132
Citrus: Toll free: 1-866-962-5254
lighthouse@lvib.org
References and further reading:
http://www.cftampabay.org
http://www.mensafoundation.org
http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172
http://www.cvc.vipnet.org/quotes.htm
