Local charities prepare for last-minute donations
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on December 30, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Rhonda Williams hangs up donated clothing at the Salvation Army Family Store on Holly Street Monday. With only two days remaining to make donations this year, many organizations are preparing for the last-minute rush.
Diaz Wallace has not seen the floor of his warehouse since he has worked there.
Instead, a mountain of bagged clothes, toys and assorted items covers a portion of the room. He does not mind, though.
"The last thing you want to do is run out of clothes," he said. Luckily for him, the mountain is getting bigger.
Wallace is the store manager of the Salvation Army Family Store on East Holly Street.
He is preparing for the increase of donations as people try to beat the tax deduction cutoff Wednesday.
"It just gets crazy," he said.
For people with itemized tax returns, the last day for the 2014 tax year to donate is Wednesday.
For material goods such as clothing, household items, mattresses, some electronics or toys, Wallace suggests making an itemized list before stopping by one of the two Salvation Army stores. They are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
"Just come in and bring it in," Wallace said. For bigger donations, you can call the Salvation Army and schedule a pick-up. Wallace says the store is especially in need of men's clothes and shoes.
The Salvation Army stores do not accept construction material, computer equipment, TVs made before year 2000 or some children's toys.
After an employee receives the donations, they give an authorized receipt for tax purposes. They do not make an itemized list.
To check the value of your donation, Wallace says to check the Salvation Army website's database.
Habitat For Humanity's Restore on East Mulberry Street also takes drop-off donations. They are open from 9 until 5 p.m.
The Restore accepts appliances, furniture, construction materials, books and clothing. They request only material in working condition. They provide donors with a receipt for tax purposes.
These donations can be claimed on your tax return. These donations can help lower a giver's tax liability.
To be claimed on tax returns, H&R Block's website says donations must be made to qualified, tax-exempt organizations. The donation must be itemized. The current cap for deducting cash contributions is half of a taxpayer's income and lower caps apply to some non-cash contributions.
Donations to political parties, individuals, fees, labor unions, for-profit schools, self-benefiting donations, foreign government or time-donations are not allowed by the IRS for tax-purposes.
The necessary documentation for donations under $250 is a detailed receipt or bank statement. For contributions over $250, the IRS requires a detailed written acknowledgment from the charity, due when taxes are filed.
For non-cash donations over $500, a special 8283 form is required when taxes are filed. Anything over $5,000 requires an appraisal.
The American Red Cross's motto this holiday season is "give something that means something."
To Vicki LaBelle, executive director of American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina, this means donations of money, blood and time.
She estimates that more than 35 percent of the money raised by the Red Cross is collected during the holiday season.
Monetary donations can be made online, at the North George Street location or by phone. The donations will benefit the local Red Cross. Online donors receive an e-mail receipt, while in-house and telephone givers will receive a letter in the mail.
"Since Christmas Eve, the Red Cross has helped 30 families in Eastern North Carolina who had house fires," Ms. LaBelle said.
This holiday season, she says there is a special opportunity in Eastern North Carolina to give.
"An anonymous donor will match the first $25,000 raised by Dec. 31," she said. "It offers a unique opportunity to double the impact."