|
How You Can Help
Our Annual Fund
Campaign kicked off in November, and our sincere thanks to all who responded
to our appeal. “Precious are all things that come from friends.” If you
have not received an appeal and would like to contribute, please call Sue
Stalnecker, Director of Development, 610.372.4637, ext. 103 or e-mail at
sstalnecker@prospectusberco.org.
Is a special
occasion coming up soon for a friend, family member, or co-worker, and you
have no idea what to get them? Honor that special person with a gift to
Prospectus Berco in their name. You will solve your gift giving dilemma and
provide a donation that will have far reaching benefits for others needing
assistance.
MISSION STATEMENT
Prospectus Berco is dedicated
to inspiring people with disabilities or other special needs to lead
meaningful lives by providing innovative services that promote dignity and
respect.
Berks
County is filled with caring and compassionate individuals who want to
support and uplift those who need help. How a community treats individuals
who face obstacles in their lives and have difficulty with day to day
activities is a reflection of the people who live there.
Giving of ourselves, our time, and our resources is a personal decision. Our
reasons to give to a non-profit organization may be because we believe in
the organization; are passionate about the service they provide; or know
that our help is needed in order for the agency to achieve it mission.
Financial author, Robert G. Allen wrote, “If service is the rent you pay for
your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent?” Mankind has a
moral obligation to take care of each other, but it’s our desire and
willingness to give that makes the gift special.
All
of us strive to lead meaningful lives with purpose and dignity. The
individuals at Prospectus Berco with whom we have the privilege of working
face more obstacles than most of us will ever know. With your help and
support, they can lead meaningful lives that promote dignity and respect.
HOW TO HELP
·
MONETARY DONATIONS
o
Annual Fund
– Annual Fund requests are mailed out each year in November. Our wish
list continues to grow for both our Day Services and Residential Services as
we identify needs to improve our programs and the lives of the people we
serve with intellectual disabilities and other special needs. Funds can be
designated to our General Fund to help defray operating expenses or
earmarked for one of the following three funds:
o
Laura Isenberg Educational
Fund – helps to
offset a portion of tuition costs for Prospectus Berco employees who are
completing an undergraduate degree, an advanced degree, or continuing
educational course to enhance their job skills.
o
Building Fund –
designates funds for our
facility at 840 William Lane and purchases much needed items for Day
Services Programs.
o
Endowment Fund –
allows us to build a
healthy, financial future. Monies raised are invested rather than spent
and used for future expenditures and/or special projects and programs.
o
Memorials & Honorariums
– A donation received to honor a special event in the life of an individual
or to honor the memory of a friend or loved one’s death is a beautiful and
thoughtful way to commemorate their life. If you want to honor someone’s
birthday, anniversary, graduation, other special event, or the memory of a
loved one, please mail your check to Prospectus Berco and include your
wishes. Note the name of the individual, the occasion, and your
contact information to acknowledge your gift. Providing contact information
for the person whom you are honoring or their family is helpful so that they
can be notified of your benevolent gesture.
o
Planned Giving -
What is Planned Giving?
According to Robert F. Sharpe, Sr., in his book entitled Planned Giving
Simplified, “Planned giving is people (givers) doing what they want to
do with their assets and gift planners helping them to do it.”
At a certain age or under
certain circumstances, a donor may consider planned giving to a non-profit
agency. Planned giving may include bequests to Prospectus Berco in a will
or living trust; the naming of Prospectus Berco as the beneficiary of a
retirement plan or life insurance policy; or a tax-free charitable gift to
Prospectus Berco from an IRA. An individual or family chooses to make a
gift to an organization because they are satisfied that the agency is
providing a worthwhile service. Planned giving, however, is not only based
on the agency’s needs but more importantly on the donor’s needs and wishes.
Check with your tax advisor or financial
planner on ways to take advantage of this opportunity and what will be best
for you based on your circumstances. If Prospectus Berco can assist you in
any way, please contact Susan Stalnecker at 610-372-4637, ext. 103, or
e-mail at
sstalnecker@prospectusberco.org.
o
Recurring Contributions –
If you are
comfortable with the work and mission of Prospectus Berco, why not consider
a recurring gift? You determine the amount; schedule the number of times to
donate each year; and give permission to Prospectus Berco to charge your
credit or debit card.
This cuts down
on fundraising expenses and allows us to use more of your dollars for
program; provides you with a planned budget; and helps us budget our
anticipated revenue.
Please contact Susan Stalnecker at
610.372.4637, ext. 103 or e-mail at
sstalnecker@prospectusberco.org to inquire on setting this up.
o
Special Events –
Prospectus Berco is
fortunate to have a Golf Committee that holds a golf tournament for our
benefit each year. What!! You’re not a golfer? Don’t worry because there
are numerous opportunities for you to contribute and support our efforts.
Monies raised from the Annual Golf Tournament go toward program needs
identified throughout the year.
In addition to the Golf
Tournament, special events are periodically held by Prospectus Berco or
other organizations wishing to support our cause. Please check our Website
frequently for any updates on our special event activities.
·
IN-KIND DONATIONS
We have a “wish list” of
items that are needed by our Day Services and Residential Programs that help
us to reduce our expenses when we are not required to make these
purchases. Please call, and
we will let you know if the item(s) you wish to donate are currently needed
or will be needed in the future.
As with any home or
business, storage space can be a major factor on whether we are able to
accept your gift. We accept new and “gently used” items.
Also, throughout the year,
we hold program and special events in which we ask businesses for items to
offer as gifts, auction items, or raffle items. Request letters are mailed,
and your support is most appreciated.
·
VOLUNTEER
The gift of time, talent,
and energy is always a needed asset. There are various opportunities for an
individual or group to volunteer at Prospectus Berco. Please click on our
Volunteer Tab located on the Home page located in the left column to
discover our volunteer needs.
If you wish to volunteer
but do not see the opportunity listed, please give us a call to discuss
other options.
·
SPEAKER’S BUREAU
Need an interesting and
informative speaker for your next meeting? If your school, church,
business, or service organization wants to learn more about Prospectus Berco
and our role in the Berks County community, please call Susan Stalnecker at
610.372.4637, ext. 103 to schedule a speaker for your next meeting or class
session.
Uplifting and positive
news is always welcome news, and we are more than willing to share our news
on the wonderful adults at Prospectus Berco who take on amazing challenges
to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding life.
“I
don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an on-going
process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being
able to touch somebody’s life.”
Oprah
Winfrey
|
We are pleased to offer the convenience of using your Visa or
MasterCard whenever you wish to make a tax deductible donation to our agency, or to
purchase any of the items that we offer for sale. For further information, or to use
your credit card for a donation or purchase, please contact