“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a little more empathy, and maybe, next year at this time we’d like each other a little more.” Judy Garland
I know you’re being bombarded by all the charities you give to about end of year giving. I hope you make a choice to support something you love, someone you love, or surprise a retail person. Some of you prepare for end of year giving and others are moved by the spirit or by impending taxes.
I’m sharing something I think many of you 70 ½ and older know, that if you have an IRA or 401K, you can give a tax-free gift. It’s called a QCD, qualified charitable distribution. Your financial institution can help you do it. Those gifting stock can just contact your broker who will manage the entire transaction for you and your accountant can help you with the valuing of the donation.
Whatever causes your Spirit of Giving, please be inspired and tell me what you did. My email is deeanne@unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org. I love stories. I’d love to hear yours. I’m going to close with one of my favorite United Way stories.
Many years ago, 1998, I was the last one in the office on Christmas Eve. An old truck pulled up outside my window on E. Main and a family of four got out. I was on the phone and said, “Oh no, they might need help, and all the agencies have already gone home for Christmas.” I’m full of assumptions in life. And I have the kind of job that gives me the gift of dispelling those assumptions often.
I hung up and in came Randy, his wife, and kids. We shared holiday greetings, and I knew his name because it was on his shirt. He had a raggedy stuffed envelope in his hand. He told me that he and his wife were fortunate and each Sunday, because their church was in good shape, they put their tithe in the envelope. In their spirit of giving, they chose a charity to share it with on Christmas Eve.
It’s Christmas Eve 2024 and I still remember crying in the moment. I asked what they wanted me to do with it and they innocently asked, “don’t you know what to do it?” It was so sweet. I said we do a lot of things, and they could help me choose. The wife asked if we helped women escape violence, I said yes. She said half could go there. Randy asked if we helped hungry people, and I said yes. He said they’d been hungry once and the other half could go there.
I still remember the exact amount of that gift. It was $918.12. The kids stood by mesmerized by our PEZ Christmas tree. I told them to take their favorite one. They were giddy! The boy chose Garfield, and the little girl took endless time choosing Dino. Dino started our PEZ collection, and it felt so perfect.
Just know if end of year giving isn’t something you think about because of your financial situation, you can still give your wit, wisdom or wealth of kindness. Thank you. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Glorious Kwanzaa!
