We did it! My team and I took part and finished the 1040K Run in Coconut Grove this weekend. I can’t believe I ran a 5K! What a thrill it was when I crossed the finished line and when I got my participant medal.
You know the best part of my 1040K run experience was that I reached my goal of raising $5,000 for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants Educational Foundation or FICPA. FICPA provides scholarships to deserving South Florida accounting students. I used to be one of those needy students, so it’s great to pay it forward. The best part is that you helped me get there thanks to your donations.
Since we’re on the topic of donations, this week I wanted to talk about how you can save money and do good by making a donation. Here are my favorite reasons for giving to charity:
- TAX DEDUCTION – Giving to an IRS-approved, 501(c)3 organization means that you can write off that donation on your taxes. You will need to save your charitable donation receipt. Those of you who donated for my cause, not only helped me, but are helping fund the education of future accountants, who can’t afford college. There are other deductions that have double the benefits. You should check with your benefits department to see if your company matches your donation, which would be an added bonus for your charity. Another benefit is that if you bid on a trip to Cancun at your church’s silent auction and win, you’ll not only get to take the trip, but claim it as a deduction next year. Now that’s what I call a win-win situation.
- HELPING OTHERS – Giving to charity, no matter how small or large the amount, is about helping others. Help a friend who is raising money or even better, find a cause that is important to you and give your time or if you don’t have it, your money. Studies show that making a donation makes your brain feel a sense of pleasure. In fact, Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine at Stony Brook University, says that giving to others has also been shown to help increase the health of people with chronic illness.
- CHILDHOOD LESSONS – They say monkey see, monkey do and in this case, giving to charity is a great lesson to pass to on to your children. Donating or helping to fundraise for a cause is a great way to spark generosity and compassion in your little ones. If your children see you helping others, they will be more inclined to give as adults.
My team and I would like to thank each and everyone one of you for giving to our cause and for supporting Brigade Bookkeeping over the years. One of the networking groups that I belong to, BNI or Business Networking International, believes in “Givers Gain.” I truly believe in that motto too.
So with that, I leave you with the words of John Bunyan, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
Have a great week everyone!
