American Red Cross

Beaver County Chapter, Beaver, Pennsylvania

Volunteers/Volunteering Opportunities

Supporting Your Red Cross

The Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year. Whether it is providing disaster relief and almost half of the nation's blood supply or teaching health and safety courses to prepare you and your neighbors for life's everyday emergencies, people depend on the immediate action of the Red Cross to always be there.

Regardless of the challenges to be faced tomorrow -- natural disasters, house fires, or other crises -- you can be assured that the Red Cross will still be there to lend a helping hand to those most vulnerable in your hometown.

The Red Cross has a long history of assisting those in need during times of disaster, collecting blood donations, teaching first aid and lifesaving, and keeping American troops in touch with loved ones at home. Whether supported through an outright gift or a life income gift, all Red Cross programs and services are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A gift to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross helps to ensure the future of the services and programs we provide and may further your financial and estate planning goals.

Our friends contribute to the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross to further this important work, but having decided to make a gift, it's wise to plan for maximum tax benefits. Frequently, you'll be able to make a larger gift than you originally imagined.

Tax Savings. If you itemize, you may claim a charitable contribution deduction on your federal income tax return for donations to the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross. That reduces the actual cost of your gift.

For example: Miss Lee, in the 28% income tax bracket, contributes $1,000 to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross and deducts the gift on her federal income tax return. She saves $280 in taxes ($1,000 deduction x 28%). Miss Lee's out-of-pocket cost is $720 ($1,000 gift minus $280 tax savings).

Gift and Estate Taxes. Lifetime gifts and bequests to family members may be subject to federal gift and estate taxes. But charitable gifts, large or small, are completely exempt from federal taxation. Most states give similar benefits.

To make a bequest to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross, the following language will help your lawyer:

A local chapter: I give, devise, and bequeath to the American Red Cross for the benefit of the Beaver County Chapter, the sum of __________ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate.

A national sector gift: I give, devise, and bequeath to the American National Red Cross the sum of _______ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

You can also make a gift to benefit both your local chapter and the national sector.

A Contingent Gift by Will. If you're concerned about providing for family members, consider naming the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross as a contingent beneficiary-to benefit only if there are no surviving close family members. Childless couples sometimes provide for the entire estate to go to the surviving spouse, but if the spouse doesn't survive, to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross.

The Advantages. In addition to the pleasure of knowing the good work your gift will do, there are other benefits:

• A charitable deduction in the year you make the gift for the present value of our right to eventually receive the trust assets.
• Free up appreciated investments to maximize yield, diversity or both -- often without paying tax on the capital gain.
• Your effective yield is increased by substantial income tax savings.
• Income can be taxed more favorably with some plans.
• You unburden yourself of investment concerns.
• You'll have the same estate tax benefits as charitable gifts by will-and save probate costs, too.

A variety of Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross life income plans enable you to be a philanthropist and still provide for yourself and others. These plans are explained below:

The Charitable Gift Annuity. In exchange for your gift of money or marketable securities to the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross, we pay you (and a survivor or other beneficiary, if desired) a fixed amount annually for life. The transfer is part gift and part purchase of an annuity. The rate of return is attractive and the payments are guaranteed for life -- without investment responsibilities.

For example: Mr. Carter is 75 and his wife is 70. They transfer $20,000 to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross for a gift annuity and receive $1,440 annually for life ($20,000 x 7.2% -- the annuity rate for their ages). The full guaranteed payments continue for the survivor's life.

Income tax benefits. You may claim an income tax charitable deduction in the year you make the gift. Let us know your date of birth (and that of any other beneficiary) and the amount you're considering ^*, and we'll tell you what your deduction and payments would be.

How payments are taxed. A of each annuity payment is tax-free. The tax-free amount is fixed at and remains constant for your life expectancy ^**.

Fixed income. The amount you receive each year depends on the amount transferred, your age now, and your age when the payments are to start.

For example: Miss Baker, age 50, transfers $10,000 to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross for a deferred payment gift annuity with payments to start at age 65. Her rate of return will be 16.3%, and she will receive $1,630 per year for life ($10,000 x 16.3%).

Tax savings. There's a charitable deduction now when you may be in a higher tax bracket than you will be after retirement. And part of each payment you receive will be tax free for the period of your life expectancy. As with the "immediate" gift annuity, there are favorable capital gain implications when you fund your deferred payment gift annuity with appreciated assets. We'd be glad to provide an example of the tax benefits of your contemplated gift.

The Pooled Income Fund. Your gift of money, marketable securities, or both to the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross's pooled income fund is invested together with similar gifts from other supporters. Each year you receive your share (taxable as ordinary income) of the fund's earnings.

For example: Mr. Simon's $10,000 life income gift is invested in our pooled income fund. The fund's net income is 6% this year, so he receives $600 -- his share of the annual earnings. Each year, Mr. Simon's payment will reflect any increase or decrease in the fund's net income.

Income tax benefits. A sizable charitable deduction may be claimed on this year's federal income tax return. Tell us your birth date and the amount of your contemplated gift, and we will tell you the exact amount of the charitable deduction.

A pooled income fund gift also allows you to shift appreciated investments without paying tax on the gain. And the fund pays no tax if it sells securities held more than one year.

Income for another. Your gift can provide life income for a survivor or another beneficiary, such as a spouse or parent.

Your income. Your annual payments are determined by multiplying a fixed percentage (that you select at the outset) by the fair market value of the trust assets, as revalued each year

For example: Mrs. Davidson's unitrust provides that she is to receive 6% of the fair market value of the trust assets each year. She funds her trust with $100,000 so she receives $6,000 the first year. One year later, the trust assets are worth $120,000 so she is paid $7,200 ($120,000 x 6%). If the trust assets are worth $110,000 at the beginning of the next year, she will receive $6,600 ($110,000 x 6%). And so on each year. Capital gains or principal can make up any shortfall. If trust income exceeds the stated percentage, the excess is added to the unitrust assets and invested for her benefit.

Tax savings. You may claim a sizable income tax charitable deduction in the year you create the unitrust. Your deduction depends on your age (and that of any other beneficiary), the percentage to be paid, and the amount placed in the trust.

Taxation of unitrust payments. Depending on investments, part of each payment may be treated as capital gain; part may even be treated as a tax-free return of principal.

Additional advantages. No capital gains are incurred when you transfer appreciated property to fund a unitrust. And the gain isn't taxed if the appreciated property is sold for reinvestment (except in tax exempts). You get the same estate tax savings as for charitable gifts by will while reducing probate costs.

For example: Miss Andrews transfers $100,000 to a separately invested annuity trust that will provide her with life income payments. She elects to receive $7,000 annually (quarterly payments of $1 ,750). If trust income isn't sufficient to make the payments in any year, the trustee will use capital gains or principal to make the payments. If income exceeds $7,000, the excess is reinvested in the trust.

Income tax savings. You may claim a sizable charitable deduction in the year you create the trust.

How your income is taxed. As with unitrust, part of each payment can treated as capital gain, depending investments; part can even be treated a tax-free return of principal.

Additional advantages. No capital gains are incurred when you transfer appreciated property to fund an annuity trust. And the gain isn't taxed if the appreciated property is sold for reinvestment (except in tax exempts). The estate tax savings are the same as for charitable gifts by will and reduce probate costs.

*A generation-skipping tax (GST) is imposed on large transfers to grandchildren and others who are more than one generation younger than you. We'll be happy to discuss the GST rules with you and your adviser.

You may claim a charitable deduction for approximately the policy's cash surrender value, and the proceeds are completely removed from your estate.

• A deduction for the asset's full fair market value instead of the lower cost basis.
• Complete avoidance of capital gains tax on the asset's appreciation.

For example: Mrs. Emmet contributes stock to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross that cost her $5,000 several years ago but is now worth $15,000. She gets a $15,000 charitable deduction and completely avoids tax on the $10,000 appreciation.

For gifts of appreciated securities or real estate held for one year or less (short term), the charitable deduction is limited to the property's cost basis. There is no tax on the appreciation.

During the United Way Campaign (Beaver County 724-774-3210), you can help the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross continue providing services vital to our community by using the following designation code:

Contributors' Choice Campaign
Code: 435

The financial benefits of gifts to the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross depend on your situation, but the opportunity to make a difference is always great. It is through the generosity of gifts like yours that millions of people are served by the Beaver County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Please contact the Beaver County Chapter of the Red Cross so that we can provide more detailed information about charitable gifts and discuss with you and your adviser the most advantageous ways to make them.

Contact Us

Our Location

Mission

The American Rd Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Chapter and the Fundamental Principles of the international Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Vivid Description of the Future

• We are present in every communityWe provide high quality, relevant services that help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
• We are the leader in customer satisfaction.
• We are the leader in mobilizing and training large numbers of people in short periods of time to respond to episodic emergency events.
• We are seen as "One Red Cross" -- providing seamless service delivery to those who use our services

• We meet new, emerging needs in our communities, our nation, and the world.
• We serve an increasingly diverse public with a diverse workforce and leadership team.
• We attract and retain the best youth and young adults to ensure continuation of our proud heritage.

• We respond to new opportunities for service.
• We are constantly learning and maximizing our human potential.
• We are a leader in product and service innovation.
• We use fully integrated technology and information systems to develop and deliver products and services.
• We collaborate with other organizations.

• We attract and keep the best paid and volunteer workforce.
• Our trust in each other is fueled by our adherence to the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement and our corporate beliefs.
• We show the highest ethical and fiscal responsibility.
• We set the standard nationwide for strong, cost-effective nonprofit management.
• We have a strong financial position, with diverse sources for growing revenues, a strong endowment, and excellent fund raising.
• We are the Charity of Choice for donors and volunteers.
• Always and everywhere, we are known for service excellence.

Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Board of Directors

Jack Simon, Chairman

Jack Waddell, Vice Chairman

Judy Garbinski, Secretary

Robert Lewis, Treasure

Board Members

Advisory Board

Harry Blackwood

Eric Hanson

Dr. Gary Marcus

Bill Maxson

David Porter

Karen Stadnik

Jim Tosh