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RETURN TO TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Fall
2000
Because You
Care
By Jamie Davis
Giving is a deep-rooted tradition in
our
culture. According to Giving USA, charitable donations reached a record level in
1999, with approximately 90% of all Americans donating more than a combined $190
billion to thousands of charitable organizations. And at this time of year,
philanthropically minded individuals once again turn their attention to
supporting causes they care about through a year-end gift.
Why do we
give? We give because we feel strongly about supporting an organization whose
mission mirrors our own. We give to help others. We give to help ourselves. We
give because we want to make a difference. And your year-end contribution to The
CFIDS Association of America does make a difference.
There are many ways
to make a meaningful gift that will enhance The Association’s efforts to conquer
chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). Although writing a
check is probably the most convenient form of giving,
making a donation on line is fast
becoming a simple and secure way to support the Association’s work.
Appreciated securities, such as stocks and mutual funds, can also be
given and usually provide an immediate tax deduction on the current market value
of the asset. Such a gift may also help you avoid tax on your capital gains. For
example, John bought $2,500 worth of stock in ABC Company in 1990. Today, the
stock is valued at $10,000, so he has a long-term capital gain of $7,500. By
donating the stock to the Association, John receives a tax-deduction for his
$10,000 gift and avoids capital gains tax on the $7,500 appreciation of his
stock.
In order for your contribution to be recorded as a year-2000 gift,
it must be received by December 31, 2000. If you’re considering a gift of
appreciated securities, we urge you to contact your broker early enough to
ensure the transaction is completed by year-end. And remember, gifts to the
Association are tax deductible.
For information on these and other giving
opportunities, please call the Association’s Development Office at 704/364-0466
or send an e-mail to development@cfids.org. To receive a copy of A Guide to Giving, a new
publication that will help you make informed decisions about the many giv-ing
options available, call the Resource Line at 704/365-2343.
Thank you for
your kind and generous support of The CFIDS Association of America.
New Publication to
Help Raise Awareness
One of The CFIDS Association’s main goals is to
increase public awareness of CFIDS, but most people don’t become interested or
active in a medical condition unless they can imagine what it must be like to
have it. The Association’s new publication, Snapshots of CFIDS,
attempts to do just that.
This 16-page publication presents the illness
through seven compelling profiles of CFIDS patients and illustrates the impact
it has had on their lives.
The profiles include men and women of all
ages, races and socioeconomic levels to give readers a better understanding of
the devastation this illness causes.
Snapshots will be used to
educate legislators, the media and the public. Extra copies will be available
for sale so that persons with CFIDS can use it in their own educational and
advocacy efforts.
Association members will receive one free copy each in
the mail later this year.
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