Friday, December 23, 2011

Holiday Donations, Gifts and Tipping


This is a very busy time of the year for most of us. Sometimes we forget to ‘gift’ certain people who have given us great service all year.

It is a very thoughtful gesture to remember your newspaper deliverer, your handyman, your house cleaner, your yard person, your favorite hair stylist and manicurist to name a few.

If giving a monetary gift is beyond your circumstances, even a Christmas card thanking them is appreciated. Any show of appreciation of their good work is an appropriate and kind thing to do.

And -- please don’t forget to donate your gently used warm clothes and blankets to the homeless and destitute.

Did you know that you could make an Arizona Tax Credit donation to StarShine Academy in the amount of $200 for individuals and $400 for couples?


Donations of up to $200 for single individuals and up to $400 for married couples to public schools are not only deductible as an itemized deduction on your Federal return but are also tax credits on your Arizona return.  This means that if you have at least a $200-$400 State tax and itemize on your federal return, a contribution would actually make you money.  In other words, a contribution would return to you more than the donation itself. You actually make back more than the actual contribution.

The deadline for Tax Credit Donations is December 31!

Just go to the StarShine website at www.starshineacademy.org or mail your check to StarShine Academy at 3535 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ   85008. The school will promptly send you thank you note and receipt.

If you don’t live in Arizona, but would still like to make a donation that supports the students and teachers at StarShine, send your donation to:
StarShine Academy
3535 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ   85008
602-957-9557
By Lois Jamieson

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our Followers and Readers. We appreciate your continued support and comments. We give thanks to our wonderful husbands and families who support our blog and book. We give thanks StarShine Academy for providing students a safe, innovative and creative school.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend with your family and friends.

Jan Shoop and Lois Jamieson