IMPORTANT 2010 Census Information

WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org http://www.bbb.org.

Cut 6 pack plastic rings

Do you know where your plastic goes? To the ocean. Let's put two and two together. You know those plastic "rings" that hold a 6 pack together? When they are thrown away (even though they should be recycled), they go out to the ocean and when fish / dolphins are swimming around, the "rings" get caught around their noses. The dolphins cannot break free, cannot open their mouths to eat, or if the "rings" get to tight, can stop their breathing and they die.

After taking off the "rings" from the 6 pack of soda, beer, ginger ale, etc make sure you cut them apart. Cut the "rings" even if you are going to recycle. Don't take chances.

I know it's cliche, but "Save The Dolphins".

Thanks for listening!

Sheryl

Donate clothing

Losing weight because of your New Year's Resolution? Are your kids growing out of their clothes? There are shelters & orphanages who are more than happy to take them!!! Donate them! Not only are you Helping Others, but you get a tax deduction as well.

CLOTHING DONATION: GET A TAX DEDUCTION FOR CLOTHES THAT DON'T FIT ANYMORE

by Deborah Mitchell

Clothing donations are needed by many of the 600,000 homeless families in the United States. But the need doesn't end there: more than 28 million children living in low-income families and their parents could also benefit from donated clothes.

Clothing donations to qualified charitable organizations are tax deductible. For tax deduction purposes, The Salvation Army andGoodwill Industries publish guidelines for the valuation of donated items, including clothing and shoes.

Clothing-donation needs include: school clothes, coats and other cold-weather accessories, professional clothing for employment interviews, and shoes, which wear out quickly and must be replaced often, especially among growing children.

Donated clothes are critical for mothers and young children who must flee their homes because of domestic violence or abuse. Often these women and children leave under dangerous circumstances with only the clothes on their backs.

Clothes donations are also especially needed by homeless veterans. Up to 40 percent of homeless adults are veterans, with more joining their ranks from the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.

Clothing donations should be clean, undamaged, and reasonably wrinkle-free. Clothing can be folded and packed in sturdy boxes or bags; avoid hangers. Items that come in pairs (shoes, gloves, socks) should be kept together (shoe laces can be tied together, gloves and socks can be stuffed inside each other). Pockets should be emptied and any belts should be securely fastened to their appropriate items.

• The Salvation Army, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart will pick up clothing, shoes, and household items from most locations in the United States. If you don't have a lot of items, you may want to ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers if they would like to make a clothing and shoe donation as well. The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries both have drop-off locations for your clothing donations and other items. Some Big Brother Big Sister facilities accept donated clothing and shoes as well. (Click "find my local agency" to see if the one near you accepts donations.)
• Check with schools and day care centers in your area. Many of these facilities have family centers that collect clothing and shoes for students who are in need.
• If you live or work in an area where you have access to homeless people, you can offer clothing and shoes to them personally.
• Soles4Souls is a nonprofit that collects gently used shoes for children and adults in need.
• If you have clothing suitable for women who have special needs, see Hand-Me-Down Used Clothing for Women.

Your clothing donation can make a big difference in the lives of children and adults in need. For tax purposes, you should keep a list of the clothing you donate. Donation centers usually give you a tax receipt, but if you mail your clothing or shoe donation to a charity, also send a self-addressed, stamped envelope so it can send you a receipt. Shipping costs are tax deductible as well.

Proper Disposal of Expired Medication

Below I have posted a link of an article about expired medication. There are many reasons to properly dispose of them. Expired medication should NOT be flushed down the toilet, it is bad for the water and the animals in it. Expired medication should NOT be thrown away, there is potential of it getting in the wrong hands.

Click the link or copy & paste for more information.

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-dispose-of-expired-medicine.htm

Reduce unwanted catalogs

Control your mail preferences and simplify your life. Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you choose which catalogs you no longer wish to receive. Reduce the amount of unsolicited mail in your mailbox. You decide what gets in! Reduce your mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources.

www.catalogchoice.org

Pop (Soda) Tab Collection for $$$

At Ronald McDonald House, a pull tab from a soda can can make a world of difference. Read on and start saving those tabs! It is so easy to Help Others and Make A Difference!

Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about philanthropy and the importance of recycling, and raise funds to help children and their families at the same time. Some of our Chapters raise thousands of dollars with their pop tab collections.

Why?

Ronald McDonald Houses collect pop tabs instead of entire aluminum cans because the tabs are pure high-quality aluminum, unlike cans, which consist of aluminum and other alloys. Tabs are also easier to store than whole cans.

Where?

If your local Ronald McDonald House participates in the program, it’s likely cardboard collection containers in the shape of a house have been distributed to schools, community and civic groups and other organizations in your area. Collect pop tabs to drop off at one of these areas, or contact your local House about getting a collection container that you can be responsible for filling through one of your own groups.

How much?

After the tabs are collected, the local RMHC Chapter brings the collection to local recycling centers, where they are weighed to determine their value (values can vary significantly). The recycling center then sends the local RMHC Chapter a check for the total value.

Write A Letter To The Person At The Top

Last year I began a letter to the CEO and founder/creator of The Cheesecake Factory. I literally wrote 3 lines of it and then got distracted. I put it in my 'drafts folder' in my email and had intended on returning to it. Twelve months later... I did! I wrote to him and told him my concern for the environment and some things that The Cheesecake Factory could be doing to help out. Recycling, changing the type of light bulbs used, etc. I sent it off. A week later, the CEO and founder/creator of The Cheesecake Factory contacted me. He would like to talk to me on the phone and discuss things with me that The Cheesecake Factory has in progress to help the environment and things that could be done in the future. I did it. I took something that seemed so little and it made a difference! I am making a difference and am excited about it!!

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR THAT INSPIRES ACTION

by Ann Mason

Writing letters to the editor can be an effective way of sharing your opinion and inspiring others to take positive action on issues that are of concern to you.

Political leaders and other policy makers rely upon the editorials in newspapers to gauge the views of their constituents. The philanthropic actions of civic organizations are often inspired by issues facing the community that were initially inspired by letters to the editor.

A letter to the editor, an op-ed piece, or a posting to a blog website may inspire everyday citizens to take action that truly makes a difference, and it even may inspire a reporter to pursue the issue further with a more in-depth article focusing on your issue.

Have you ever heard someone tell a story or read something that immediately inspired you to take action? Maybe you heard about a family who lost all of their possessions in a fire, or you read about the imminent cancellation of a valuable community program due to funding cuts. Without the effort of another person bringing these issues to your attention, you never would have been in a position to help. Writing a letter to the editor is a way that you, too, can inspire others to take action and make a difference in countless areas. So, when you read about an issue that moves you, or see a story on television that makes you want to get involved, don't just sit there. Writing a letter to the editor gives you a chance to inspire action in people whom you will probably never meet.

The key to getting your message out is to write a letter that has a chance to be published. Newspapers and other media receive many more letters than they have room to publish. So, ensure that your letter is concise, makes one simple point or deals with one basic issue, and follows the policies set forth by the media outlet. That way, you strengthen your chances of seeing your letter in print and of inspiring others to take action on your issue.

• Step 1: Choose an issue. The newspaper is filled each day with potential topics for your letter. Just pick something that moves you to share your opinion and your call-to-action with an audience.
• Step 2: Choose an outlet for your editorial. Newspapers are the traditional recipients of letters to the editor. Lists of newspapers all over the world and links to their websites can be found at RefDesk.com and the Internet Public Library. You also might consider sending your letter to a blog, where people discuss their views on issues, or to television and radio news programs that may not read your letter on the air but may be inspired to take action of their own and follow-up with a more in-depth story on your issue.
• Step 3: Write your letter. Don't worry about making it perfect. You won't be receiving a grade from your high school English teacher. Just try to keep it brief (150-200 words) and to the point. You might want to read some sample letters to the editor to get a feel for the standard format. Be sure to run spelling and grammar checks.
• Step 4: Proofread your letter, but not immediately after writing it. Set the letter aside for a while and come back to look it over with fresh eyes. When you read it, consider the reader. Does your letter communicate your point clearly? Do your words inspire action? If you're not sure, ask a friend or family member to read your editorial before you send it.
• Step 5: Send your letter to the editor. You can do this by email, fax or standard mail. Check with the recipient organization on the preferred method. If you are sending a letter to a newspaper, be sure to sign your letter and provide your name printed clearly along with your address and telephone number. Newspapers will not publish anonymous letters, and although the newspaper will not share your address and phone number with its readers, someone from the paper may call you to confirm your identity.

Don't worry if your letter does not get published. Someone read it. What matters most is that you took the time to express yourself, and that is a powerful thing. Write another when your conscience challenges you to act.