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Charitable donation a popular alternative to traditional gift
R&L file photo
Mike Dutton of a church missionary group from Alabama hammers in nails on the roof of a Habitat home in Statesville. Habitat is one of many organizations that depend on a holiday-season boost for yearly operations.
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Published: December 24, 2009
Editor's note: Whether it's by giving money to your church, volunteering to help families in need or offering a friend a shoulder to cry on, the concept of giving plays an integral part in our everyday lives, especially during the holidays. This is the third in a series of four stories devoted to the spirit of giving.
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The gifts Edie Holland and her friends exchange won't be found under anybody's Christmas tree.
They are found in the day-to-day operations of the United Way of Iredell County, Fifth Street Ministries, Habitat for Humanity or the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont.
Instead of wrestling with wrapping paper and ribbon, the friends give to each other's favorite nonprofits as an alternative.
"We really like to make things better for people who are having a challenges," Holland said. "There are a lot of things that agencies are doing to meet a variety of needs."
Nonprofits depend on their own Christmas gifts each year to sustain their operations throughout the year.
United Way of Iredell County Director Pat Stewart, who recently announced her retirement from the agency, said these donations range anywhere from $5 to $1,000. In a year like this, the donations matter even more, Stewart said.
Habitat for Humanity of Iredell Executive Director Scott Loudermelt said income from summer donations is slower than at the end of the year, due to holiday gift donations and people trying to get a last-minute tax deduction.
"The giving around Christmas supplements the year," he said. "We would absolutely like to see more,. We could not exist without people giving their time or treasure."
Year-end giving and holiday donations account for nearly 30 percent of the Greater Carolinas Chapter of American Red Cross' budget, spokeswoman Kate Meier said in an e-mail to the R&L. The period of November through January is a crucial time for the organization, she said.
"You are dependent on these individual gifts," said Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont Interim Chief Personnel Officer Chiquitta Miller. "That is such a selfless act. It shows true appreciation."
Salvation Army Capt. Glenda Priest said 90 percent of the agency's funding comes from donations, and gifts made in honor of someone else make a big contribution toward the ministry's church and social service programs. Donations are slightly down from 2008, she said.
"This year we had a lot of people give in memory or in honor of someone," Priest said.
This year, the Salvation Army used a national mailing service to reach out to potential donors, she said. Some people are blessed with enough material possessions, which makes them want to make people's lives easier, she said.
Right now, local charities are really struggling, Stewart said. There is not a shortage of places where they can put their money, she said.
"I think its an expression of love," Stewart said.
Habitat has seen a slight decrease in donations during the past two years, Loudermelt said.
Donations and volunteers are necessary for the day-to-day operations of nonprofits, such as Habitat. At any given time, there are more volunteers than staff members, Loudermelt said.
It also gives people the chance to get a last-minute charitable deduction for their federal income tax returns. Most not-for-profit organizations provide a receipt.
Miller, Stewart and Priest said there are several areas within their organizations that would benefit from donations. For instance, Miller said, the Boys and Girls Club's capital campaign is still ongoing.
"You can tell us how to use the money," she said.
The club was lucky to have the continued support of the community as it grows, Miller said.
Like others who make donations, the Hollands and their friends agreed they needed to look outside their own circle of friends and share their blessings with the community.
"It gives you a real sense of fulfillment that you have been able to make someone's situation better," she said. "You have been able to help them with their challenges."
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