A Different Way to Help Charity

September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Junked cars stored at an auto scrapyard photog...

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While most cars have value, some are completely outdated. No matter what dealership you take them to or what company you try to exchange them with, some cars have served their financial purpose and no longer have any significant cash value.

That Clunker Can Help Charity

Although your car may be one of the few completely devalued vehicles on the road, you can still help the world by making a donation. Contrary to some beliefs any car, ugly or beautiful, can help a non-profit organization. It’s best to donate when you can’t sell your car.

Donating a Car Instead of Cash

Many people choose to give cash instead of their cars to charity. Although automobiles offer significant benefits to non-profit organizations, cash, checks and money orders are often viewed as the only way to give to a worthy cause. Donated vehicles may be sold to a private buyer or to a salvage yard. Some organizations take donated vehicles and fix the cars so they can be used for daily errands.

Ground Rules

Before giving your keys to any organization, be sure to research what the charity is about. If there is a charity that is important to you, don’t hesitate to contact the local chapter to see if the group would be interested in a vehicle donation. Also, make sure that your vehicle is empty and ready for a new owner. While not a cars for cash exchange, the vehicle is being given to someone. Under no circumstances should you present a dirty vehicle to charity.

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Various Seasonal Needs of Charities

June 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Charity donations occur during every month of the year, for organizations that are on a mission to help those less fortunate. Rescue missions, utility assistance groups and food banks are just a few of the types of charities that accept donations. There are certain months when the charities need additional contributions, like around Christmas time. Charity organizations tend to have a bigger need for donations around September, in order to be prepared for the holiday giving season. Toys, clothing, appliances, furniture and cash can be donated by individuals to the charities to be dispersed to the needy families, in order to spread joy during the holidays.

 

Some people would rather donate cash instead of actual items and that’s perfectly fine, too. In the case of cash donations, the organization can either purchase toys or gifts for the family or allow them to purchase their own gifts. Some of the charities arrange a special day at a department store and simply give the money to the family so that they can buy their own presents for Christmas.

 

Whether you decide to give money or clothes, the tax deductions are beneficial for most people that donate to charity for a given year. Any contributions that are made by December 31st of a specified year can be deducted on that year’s tax returns. Charitable organizations will record your contribution a receipt will be given for your generosity. Keeping your receipts for each contribution throughout the year in a filing system is very helpful when it comes time to file your taxes.

 

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4 Ways to Eliminate Car Debt

June 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you’re having trouble eliminating your car debt, here are four ways which may help.

Refinance

Car refinancing is an effective way to help lower car debt. By refinancing you can get a lower interest rate, something which a lot of people want. This will decrease your repayment amount which you can then pay, or you can continue to pay the higher amount and pay off the loan sooner. There are many refinancing companies out there, so do your research to find the best deal.

Budget

Sit down and work out in your budget if there are any extra available funds to pay off the debt. Don’t only pay the minimum repayments if you can afford to pay more. This way you will have the loan paid off sooner. Also, eliminate other bills such as credit cards if you don’t need them. They just add to the debt.

Sell

Although this is not the most ideal situation, if you cannot afford your car the quickest way out of debt is to sell it. Depending on how much you sell the car for and how much you owe on the loan, you may be able to afford a more economical car that you can pay cash for – and have some dollars left over to buy some new clothes!

Trade

An option similar to selling your car is trading it in at a dealership. You don’t have to go through the hassle of selling privately, and you can shop around at different dealerships to see which one will give you the best deal. Whilst finding the best deal you also have the opportunity to scout out a good trade-in car for yourself.

 

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Hot Styles & Charitable Giving Equals a Win/Win

May 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment
American rapper Nelly in 2007 with Allen Ivers...

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With the success of the male urban clothing line, Vokal, rapper Nelly took a look at the women’s market and saw a definite need in women’s choices. Nelly, along with his business partners, Yomi Martin and Ian Kelly, conceived of the idea of a flattering line of clothes for all women’s sizes and figures.

Nelly off-handedly called the idea Apple Bottom, to the delight of his partners, and the name became legend in the history of feminine hip-hop fashion. Starting with jeans, the brand grew to dresses, tops, shoes, accessories, and most recently a girl line of urban fashionables.

One of the perks that has grown with the Apple Bottom line are various charities that were developed by Nelly to help with children’s health issues and the African-American community. “Sho 4 Kids” is a charitable organization that was formed to help kids with developmental disorders; Jes Us 4 Jackie, named after Nelly’s sister, was organized to increase community awareness about Leukemia, including necessary bone marrow donations.

Apple Bottom clothing has also been known to donate clothing coupons to certain charitable fundraisers, allowing a portion of each coupon to go to the buyer’s charity of choice. This is a great way to give to the needy while also buying good products – and is especially advantageous during holiday seasons.

All in all, Apple Bottom clothing is a hot urban fashion line that was formed to help women find the clothes that fit their particular figure and has also taken the time to give back to the community through charitable giving and helping with needs of the community.

This is known as synergy: the perfect win/win situation.

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Benefits of supporting a charity in the workplace

May 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Walk for Cancer - Miami Country Day School 

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Does your workplace have a chosen charity to support?  If it doesn’t now may be a good time to choose a charity partner to support.  There are many charities out there who need not only monetary support but volunteers and donations too.

So, why should your workplace engage with a charity partner?  Here are a few good reasons why:-

  • Team spirit.  You can get your employees engaged and working together right from the beginning.  Get buy-in from team members by asking them to vote for the charity they most want to support.  Once you have some events organised its a great way to give back to the charity as well as a real feel-good and motivational event for your staff.  We all know a happy team is a more productive team!
  • Good for Business.  Its great marketing to show that your business is working with a charity partner, you can share events and fundraising initiatives on your websites, blogs and even industry and local press. Great PR and great advertising for your business. It will demonstrate your commitment to give back and strengthen your business value proposition.
  • The Charity! Needy local or national charities get to benefit from your contributions of time, money and donations not to mention the great exposure they will get through your fundraising initiatives and media releases.

So, take the step towards a positive initiative which will reward your charity and your business.  A WIN/WIN situation!

 

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Donations: Not Just out of the Kindness of Your Heart

May 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many people probably wonder how so many well-to-do’s can throw a lot of money around to non-profits like it were candy. The answer’s two-fold:

One, because they can; and two, because it helps them, too!

It’s pretty certain that the latter went way above your head. The fact that the filthy rich are so capable of just ‘donating’ their money to whatever is clear. But how can it help them? How does donating help them? And why?

The reality behind the way the financial world works is that every donation — such as a brand-new car, or $500, or a set of poker tables — is like you giving your own slice of cake to somebody else in the room, which means Mommy (or Daddy) rewards you with something else to make up for it.

Image courtesy: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3793637658_59cbdb18a8_m.jpg

Think of our government as Mommy (or Daddy). What you do with every charitable donation is write it off as a tax deduction. Basically, that simply means you’re telling the government that this can cut your tax down some, because you’re making it a gift toward somebody else. You, in essence, will pay less tax than if you hadn’t made that charitable donation in the first place.

Now, yes, why would anyone want to give away something so hefty in price anyway? Maybe they don’t need the item anymore. Maybe they’re upgrading to something better. Who knows. But if the rich out there need to give away some of the stuff they have because they’re not using it, why not write it off as a tax deduction? Smart.

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Find Fulfillment: Find a Charity!

April 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It’s a statement that’s both sad and true: there are many in this world that are in need. Whether it’s victims of natural disasters, domestic abuse, serious illness, poverty, or illiteracy, people near and far could do with a helping hand. Volunteering and performing charity work are acts that have the power to change lives. They bring fulfillment and satisfaction. They provide aid to those who need it most. No one is too young or too old to help others, often getting more in the process by volunteering.
Give to Your Community – Go Local!

Uncovering areas to volunteer is easy with the help of a website like Canada 411. It will point you in the direction of shelters, hospitals, and organizations in your area, even providing a map so you can easily find your way. Contact information like phone numbers will be listed too, so you can get in touch with listed organizations and find out what they need the most, be it time, donations, or a little handy work.

They Need You!

If you’re looking to make a positive difference in someone’s life, your life, and the lives of your children, volunteering is the way to do it. While you can volunteer your time and resources on a worldwide scale, there are great opportunities to perform charity work in your own backyard. Finding places to volunteer locally is easy — all you need is your computer.

Volunteering is an easy way to make a huge impact. Everyone has something to give; who will you lend a helping hand to?

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What Charities Need During Certain Seasons

April 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
STAFFORD, VA - DECEMBER 16: U.S. first lady M...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

By charity, people generally mean that you are giving up something valuable for an individual or a group of individuals. It could be in any form – money, food, clothes, toys or medicines. When people are lacking in all these basic things, they accept charity. Therefore, if you want to give something in charity this year, then you can go through what charities need during certain seasons. It helps a lot because you know you are finally giving away something that are really to be used by someone somewhere.

You could inspire your children to give away their used clothes and toys and teach them to give only those in good condition. They are to be used by kids who live in charity homes, so give them only workable things. Don’t give away something because you have no use for it at home. The US Marine Corps Reserve has a special program called Toys for Tots and it is a tax-deductible donation. The donations are usually received during a ceremony or sports event conducted by the Corps in the months of October, November and December. It is usually during Christmas that people donate a lot, especially to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

The holiday season is the best time to make a donation because it is the time for fun, joy and excitement. Children without families, ‘orphaned’ parents and the terminally ill all need a lot of love and care. Not just during the holiday season, these charities need help throughout the year, so do your best and leave small change in the charity box in the store where you buy things.

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Effective Steps to Successfully Promote a Charity Event

April 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Whether it is based around the homeless or abused animals, charity is a great way to give back and provides an overall good feeling for those who are involved. However, simply taking the initiative to create a charity or put on a charitable event is not enough; there is a great deal of work that goes into getting things off the ground.

Fortunately, there are some fairly simplistic steps one can follow in the pursuit of getting a charitable event off the ground and effectively promoted. Like most things, having a plan in place prior to getting the ball rolling is a sure way to experience success.

Save Money on Advertising

Think up ways to save money on advertising. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to reach people while simultaneously not damaging the pocketbook. Handing out flyers is one way to inexpensively reach the masses.

Get a Committee Together

In getting your charitable event off the ground, get a committee together consisting of peers or friends that share the same passion you do. Going this route provides multiple insights that tend to lead to more effective results pertaining to the different aspects of what needs to be accomplished. A committee is a must for your charitable organization.

Brainstorm Advertising and Promotional Options

Begin to think about what kinds of advertising and promotions that can be done to make the public aware of the event. Brainstorm ways to reach a large audience without spending a large sum of money. Utilizing items such as postings in crowded areas is a great way to make people aware of your nonprofit event.

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That’s One Hot Apple

March 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

There’s no mystery that a woman enjoys sexiness. Clothes that fit and accentuate the curves are like jewels to be worn by the rap goddesses. It’s none other than the brand Apple Bottoms. Despite that clever, cute name, you can definitely assume that this clothing line will never sit on the “bottom.” This is a brand that will always be on the top.

The clothing line was launched back in 2003 by none other than the infamous St. Louis rapper Nelly. With a partnership of cousin Yomi Martin and friend Ian Kelly, they already had a foundation grounded in the success of their men’s line of clothing called “Vokal” but saw a gap in the clothing industry that catered to women, especially curvy women. Urban fashion was missing that demographic by a lot — enter Apple Bottoms!

The name came around by a random thought in Nelly’s head that was then sold with confidence by his two partners Martin and Kelly. The obvious connotation was the idea that a woman’s “apple bottom” figure was indeed appealing and attractive, and that’s what the clothing line sought to bring out — as well as some of the best female features of the Hip Hop nation!

Moreover, upon the release of the line, a six-city tour to find the perfect Apple Bottoms girl followed starting in New York and ending in Las Vegas. It was an incredible success with a reality show focusing on the tour itself having been developed.

How you like them apples? Apparently many women do. Figures everywhere are being celebrated as women can wear clothing that fits their figure better than any other brand out there. For those women who are proud of their curves, this line of clothing is just perfect. Be sure to check it out and see if the style fits your figure!

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