After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, taxpayers begin scramble to get that end-of-the year charitable donation so they claim it on their tax returns. For people who want to benefit while helping people, two Oakton based organizations, Northern Virginia Family Service and The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia offer two ways to give.
The Northern Virginia Family Service’s, NVFS, Gifting for Families program may be over but financial contributions to its other programs and services are always welcome, said Tonya McCreary, director of agency communications at NVFS. This year’s toy closet saw an increase of 350 children from last year, giving a total of 2,100 children in 1,000 families.
It is especially during the holidays, inundated by commercialism and consumerism, that low-income families may feel the pinch of poverty even more. But it is also during this time that generosity and community giving can restore hope.
NVFS’s Family Reunification Program, which serves recent immigrants with special needs or traumatic histories, helped Ruth (name changed for confidentiality) and her children have the chance to experience what others take for granted, buying something they want.
BUYING SOMETHING that is desired but not needed is a “luxury...rarely experienced” by families served by NVFS, said McCreary. Ruth sought asylum in 2012, after surviving torture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her six children, ages 10-18-years old, joined her and they struggle with bills and basic necessities, as Ruth has not been able to find full-time employment. At last year’s Gifting for Families, Ruth and her family all got something they wanted, not just something they needed. Her children got toys, cosmetics, crafts and gift cards, so they can buy something they wanted from a store. Ruth was brought to tears by the generosity of the people in the community, reported McCreary.
At the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, a public charity focused on grant giving, donors can have more say in how their contributions are distributed. The organization serves Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park.
For people who do not have a specific charity in mind, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia can help with the research. “If you’re interested in something in particular but not a specific organization” Community Foundation for Northern Virginia can help direct contributions to that cause, said Lesley MacDonald, director of community investment.
DONORS have three ways to donate: establish a donor advised fund--a kind of charitable savings account--donate to an existing donor advised fund, or donate to Community Foundation, which also runs several funds. It also keeps a list of researched and scrutinized organizations so donors know about the organization receiving their money.
NVFS and the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia offer different ways to give in ways both donors and people in need can benefit. For more information on how to give, visit http://www.nvfs.org/ and http://www.cfnova.org/.