Letters explaining the fund drive were mailed Monday to area residents in the city of Paynesville and Paynesville Township.
According to its organizers, the charity fund offers area residents the opportunity to donate once, instead of many times. Each donation is divided among various charities. (See the list in the shaded box.)
According to the letter to prospective donors, the PACF eliminates the need for multiple fund drives, saves expenses, and reduces follow-up solicitations. The only expenses of the PACF are printing and mailing. The rest of the money goes to charity.
The committee has set a goal of $32,000 for this year's drive. Last year $29,566 was raised and distributed to 28 different charities.
All donations are tax-deductible. The PACF is registered as a nonprofit corporation with the Secretary of State and has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service to receive tax-exempt gifts.
Cancelled checks or money orders will serve as receipts for tax purposes. Receipts will be mailed for all donations over $250.
Serving on the board of directors for PACF are: John Atwood, Robert and Candy Bowden, Phyllis Gardner, Jeanne Heineman, Clint Hoiseth, Bev Mueller, Joe Spaulding, Judy Stanley, Leanne Tangen, Don Torbenson, Steve Whitcomb, and Jan Zumwalde.
Area residents are asked to make their donations to the Paynesville Area Charity Fund. If there are other organizations you wish to support, specify under "other." Return your donation in the self-addressed envelope before Sunday, Dec. 31.
Recipients of the Paynesville Area Charity Fund
Local charities:
Paynesville Community Service Center
Crow River Trail Guards
Friends of the Paynesville Area Library
Paynesville Area Girl Scouts
Home Delivered Meals
Paynesville Area Center
Paynesville Area Dollars for Scholars
Paynesville Area Health Care System Auxiliary
Paynesville Area Special Olympics
Paynesville Historical Society
Paynesville Marching Band
Paynesville Youth Athletic Association
Paynesville Branch of the Rice Hospice
Reaching Out to Seniors Effectively
State and national charities:
AlzheimerÕs Association
American Cancer Society, Minnesota division
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association,Minnesota Affiliate
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation, Minnesota Chapter
Central Minnesota Task Force on Battered Women
Courage Center
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Leukemia Society of America, Minnesota Chapter
National Multiple Sclerosis Society,Minnesota North Star
Salvation Army