This summer, the neediest are calling.

Urgent need is the heated topic in the Council on Aging’s employee lunchroom…

• “Our care managers had three referrals through the Elder Abuse Hot Line in just one week.  And, two of those seniors were in genuine danger.”

•  “We’re feeding more destitute seniors than last year. Meals on Wheels isn’t just a convenience for these folks, it’s keeping them alive.”

• “We’re getting a call a day about seniors at risk of being evicted.  I’ve worked here for six years and we’ve never received this many calls before.  It’s overwhelming.”

This summer, the neediest are calling.  And, their needs for safety, food and help with housing are reminiscent of the multiple needs seniors had immediately after the 2004 hurricanes.

Because the summer of 2007 is a ‘perfect storm’ of need, we are sending this summer appeal asking for your help through a generous contribution.  I hope you understand the urgency of these circumstances, which rivals the toughest time a charity could ever face.  We simply can’t turn away the neediest.

Whether your gift is $25, $100 or more, it will help seniors in life’s most turbulent times.  

For online Summer Appeal donations via paypal please click "Make a Donation" at the bottom of this page.

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The Council on Aging of Martin County received 77 % of its funding from government sources. We rely on philanthropic gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources to make up difference.  Your gift will help us continue maintain current programs and begin new programs that serve seniors and their caregivers.

Annual Giving

Your annual contribution will allow the COA to provide critical services to our aging senior population. These services include:

Adult Day Care

Care Management

Community Coach

In-Home Services

Meals-On-Wheels

Senior Log Cabin

$ 100 can provide 2 days of adult day care or 1 month of Meals on Wheels.

$  50 can provide 2 hours of respite or 2 visits to assist a senior with personal care.

$  25 can provide 1 week of Meals on Wheels.

Major Giving

The COA has undertaken a major fund raising campaign to raise capital dollars to built the Charles and Rae Kane Senior Center and endowment funds for the upkeep of the facility.  This public/private effort got a major boost when the State of Florida through the efforts of Senator Joe Negron, allocated $ 5,000,000 toward the campaign goal of $ 15,000,000.

Charitable giving is an important tradition for many people.  Making gifts for the benefit of others offers a wonderful way to affirm your values and priorities.

Honoring a loved one through charitable gifts is often an especially meaningful act of paying tribute to someone special, while assuring that worthwhile values continue to influence the world around us.

Memorial and tribute gifts allow you to thoughtfully remember family members and friends who have been such a vital part of your life.  Read on to learn about exceptional giving opportunities that can help you make your memorial gifts in the most effective and caring ways.

GIFTS FOR EVERY "OCCASION"

Gifts made in honor of family and friends at times such as Mother's Day or Father's Day; at the birth of a child or grandchild; or on a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or other notable occasion can be gifts of love that show how much you care.

CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES

Take a few moments to think about the best ways to make your gifts in honor of others. 

• Gifts of cash: Gifts of cash and by check are the most popular methods of memorial giving. Such gifts are tax deductible. 
  
• Other Property: Memorial gifts may also be funded with assets such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have increased in value.  You not only receive regular tax savings, but you entirely avoid the capital gains tax on qualified assets given for chartable use.  This extra tax benefit is one reason why a growing number of people choose to make memorial gifts using property other than cash.
  
• Leave a legacy: Many discover that their long-range estate and financial plans provide a thoughtful way to make memorial gifts in honor of others.

A LIVING LEGACY

Consider the following ways to leave a legacy in memory of a special friend or loved one.

• A gift included in your will or living trust can establish a lasting legacy.
  
• A gift of excess retirement funds, such as pension plans or Individual Retirement accounts (IRA's), may allow you top give more, while eliminating taxes that may otherwise largely deplete these assets.
  
• Gifts of life insurance that has fulfilled its original purpose may offer excellent tax benefits. Policies that you purchased to protect a loved one who no longer needs that protection can be an excellent way to make a gift in honor if that person.
  
• Gifts that provide an income can be a tax-effective way to provide you and/or someone else you designate with regular payments for life or other period of time.  Check with us or your advisor for more information.

Gifts made in any of these ways will serve to honor special loved ones.  
Complete the form below for more information on these and other options you may wish to consider.

MAXIMIZE YOUR TAX BENEFITS

• Memorial gifts of cash are generally deductible in amounts up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).  Gifts of appreciated assets are generally deductible in amounts up to 30% of AGI.
  
• When securities and certain other properties you have owned for more than a year are donated, you are entitled to a deduction for their full value, not just their original cost.  This results in your receiving a tax deduction based on "paper profits" without having to pay capital gains tax.  If assets have decreased in value, consider selling them, thereby creating a loss for tax purposes, and making deductible gifts of the cash proceeds.
  
• Consider making larger gifts in years when you have more income.  The higher your tax bracket, the greater the savings from your gifts.
  
• Remember to keep your receipts and acknowledgement letters for tax purposes.