Getting to Know More About Charity

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Ira Riklis

 

Whenever the word charity Charity is mentioned, it gets quite fast to many people’s minds that charity is just all about helping, yet they never think for a moment about anyone in their society who could be in need or rather charity. As the saying goes, charity begins at home and this brings on board, a broad subject of who really should offer charity, to whom and why should they do so. In the process of answering such broad yet simple questions, people get to understand that life is all about caring for each other, and this extends from our closest places, spreading to those around till we get to those even far from us yet close to us in one way or another. Charity therefore, is for everyone. If you carefully check around you, you will realize that you can offer charity to someone, somehow. This is possible even if you have no idea how to go about it.

Programs of Charity Organizations

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Ira Riklis

Every Charity organization has its own program which fits into their plans and systems. Such programs work out properly with those in need, making sure that the process of charity offering is done in an efficient way that is able to make the organization’s mission accomplished, and seeing to it that the needy have received something to help themselves with. Charity programs are of different types; for instance, when offering charity to disaster stricken people, it is best to have a program that has funds allocated specifically for such a project. When such a project has been allocated funds, the funds remain strictly for that project and should not be used elsewhere. Incase such funds are used elsewhere, they must be refunded as soon as possible so as to make sure that the program for helping disaster stricken people is all set again. Every charity organization has its appropriate program that best fits its operations.

Ira Riklis Interview On How To Get Involved in Local Charity Efforts

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Ira Riklis

INTERVIEWER:
Ira Riklis is a busy man, but he is well known to the locals for his charity work.

Ira, your charity work is really causing a stir. How do you find the time to do it all?
Ira Riklis :
I’ve been very lucky in my life. I have my health and my finances are in good order. My family is happy. I can call myself successful, but I know I didn’t do it alone. There have been people who have supported me every step of the way and I feel I have an obligation to pay it forward.

INTERVIEWER:
You do a lot of hands on charity work. It must take up a lot of your time.
Ira Riklis:
The satisfaction I get working with people and knowing that I’ve made a difference means that the time is well spent. No matter what kind of community you live in, if you really look at the people you’ll see that a lot of them need help. Every community has problems, and sometimes they can’t be fixed by just making a cash donation, though that type of giving is always appreciated.

INTERVIEWER:
How do you find volunteer opportunities?

Ira Riklis:
There are always national organizations that will guide you to a local chapter and tell you how to volunteer. Churches & Synagogues know which of their members may need a helping hand. Organizations for the elderly also have lists of their members who need occasional help. If you enjoy working with your hands, help someone to home repairs. If you’re not that physical, get a list of shut-ins and make a simple phone call every day to make sure
that they are okay.

Ira Riklis – WOW Contributor for Jack and Jill late Stage Cancer Foundation

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Ira Riklis

 

WOW Contributor – Ira Riklis

One of the best charity organizations that I contribute donations to is the, Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation. The charity is for patients diagnosed with late stage, limited life expectancy cancer that have children. Leaving ones family is difficult for the cancer victim and is hard on their family as well. To help patients and their families cope with such a difficult situation, this foundation works to bring together– children and parents to create lasting memories for families.

I, Ira Riklis, have been honored to be able to contribute to this wonderful organization and help create times of happiness for these suffering families. Through the JAJF, parents and children (under 18) participate in WOW Experiences, which can include anything from being granted special privileges to watch a live news broadcast, to attending the Oscars or Grammys. The purpose of attending these events is for families to generate memories that can be remembered and cherished forever. These memories are special because not only will the children remember these wonderful times with a parent who is in the late stages of cancer, but the cancer victims themselves will have the gratification of having left a positive feeling with their children. This foundation works to provide a time of joy and happiness for a victims entire family during a time that is generally surrounded with pain, grief, anger, and tears. Cancer patients have more than enough to handle with just dealing with their own pain so the JAJF works to elevate some of the guilt associated with worrying about leaving a spouse and children behind. I am often asked about the difference between the agency I am a contributor to (JAJF) and the Make a Wish Foundation. The answer is that the Make a Wish Foundation is directed towards carrying out the wishes of children with “life-threatening” medical problems. These wishes are then granted (or arranged) on an individual basis based on the child’s desires. The JAJF is different because it is specifically geared towards the children of parents who are in the last stages of their life after being diagnosed with late stage- limited life expectancy cancer. These WOW experiences are also different because they are already in motion and ready to be immediately distributed to families in need of building happier moments on short notice.

Families are selected to participate in these experiences through being recommended and then notified by their own team of medical professionals. These professionals know the prognosis of the patient, the physical and emotional status of the patient and the circumstances of the family as a whole. A physician’s release is obtained before any activity is approved. Through this type of referral process, the Foundation remains consistent with their choices. If you are wondering about how you can donate, there are several ways in which you can help this organization, which can always use the assistance. Monetarily, you can donate and become a Founder by providing a five year financial commitment.

You can also contribute to the inventory of WOW experiences the Foundation has to offer by donating a particular WOW excursion or, through educating others who may have the means for donating such an item. Individuals as well as corporations are welcome to become a part of the JAJF and can join in to help with creating long lasting memories for families in need. The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation has been acknowledged and reported on by TV shows such as the Today Show and Fox 5. The JAJF also has corporate partners including Coca-Cola, United Airlines, Jet Blue, New York Life, and SeaWorld. As the end draws near for a late stage cancer patient and as a family tries to make sense of what is happening now, and what will happen when their loved one is gone, a “time-out” is needed for all of the family to be together and forget for a little while. This time provides comfort to families because memories are created that the survivors can look back upon to remember the smile on their loved one’s face.

These are the reasons for why I, Ira Riklis, suggest you look into The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation when selecting a charity to make donations or contributions to.

Ira Riklis – Giving To Others Can Benefit Everyone

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Ira Riklis

Ira Riklis


“In light of the global economic downturn and the increasing rate of natural disasters, there is no better time to donate than now,” says Ira Riklis. All across the world families are struggling to keep their heads above water and their children are also suffering with the repercussions of this global crisis. Many are homeless due to devastation or foreclosure, food pantries are overwhelmed by increasing demands, countless numbers are without health care, and impending funding cuts may leave many children to face a bleak educational future.”It’s saddening to see this years major disaster declarations as there have been 47 reported in the past six months that have affected 30 of the 50 states in the Union,” Riklis goes on to say. So many have watched everything they have worked hard for disappear quicker than the President’s popularity. These people need help as do many other worthy causes out there. Charitable donations are one way to help improve the humanity in these hard times. Gifts are excepted by most registered non-profit organizations and donations made to them are actually tax deductible for the donor as well, so no good deed goes unrewarded.

Donations of cash, property and capital gains assets are all full tax deductible as long as they do not exceed 50% of one’s adjusted gross income for cash donations, 30% for property donations, and 20% for capital gains asset donations. Ira Riklis then notes that even if one does donate in excess it can be carried over to the next years return. So donating to those in need is not only beneficial to others but beneficial to yourself as well.

Deductions for donations go by tax brackets, so the more money one makes the higher the return on deductible donations. For instance a donation of $1,000 made by someone in a high tax bracket of 32% would only cost them $680, as they would receive a $320 return on the donation at tax time. Basically the more you make, the more you can benefit from tax breaks of this nature. Giving to others can also be self fulfilling. Knowing that your contribution helps one less child go hungry or brings science step closer to medical advances that can save millions of lives can do wonders for self worth and one’s sense of accomplishment. We are all human and therefore all family, so promote generosity and donate to a good cause it you can. The rewards will be bountiful for all.

Ira Riklis on 5 Worthy Charities

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Ira Riklis On Charity

Ira Riklis On Charity

Ira Riklis on 5 Worthy Charities

With finances tight, internet scams prevalent, and a growing number of people in need, it can be hard to know which charities to donate to. Ira Riklis will outline 5 established charities that have a history of using donations wisely.
1. Shriners Hospitals for children focus their efforts on helping children under the age of 18 with medical issues. These services are provided without regard to race, belief, sex or religion, disability, nationality or ability of a patient or family to pay. Find more information and donate directly at Shriners Hospital For Children .
2. Invisible Children is a media group that produces documentaries, create products, and host events to raise funds and awareness to help stop the wars and genocide in East Africa. More than just a media group they provide job training, scholarships, and other social programs to help create true change in the countries they serve. invisiblechildren.com
3. Pratham is a charity that focuses on raising the level of education in India. They help provide pre-schools, libraries, and tutoring. Another successful program they have instituted is providing vitamin A and iron supplements along with deworming medication to children before they enter the schools. This helps curb the spread of disease and allows children to miss less school.
4. Fortunesociety.org has a motto that sums up their charity; “building people, not prisons.” The Fortune Society is a crime prevention charity. Their mission is to help people who were formerly incarcerated reenter society and not return to destructive behaviors.
5. If you go to endhomelessness.com you will find the highest rated charity for bringing an end to homelessness in America. They help communities by providing information to the public, informing policy makers of the conditions of the homeless within their stewardship, and supporting local and national programs that work.
These are only 5 of the thousands of qualified and beneficial charities that need constant support from those of us who are able and willing to help. The research I have conducted leads me to believe that money donated to these charities will find its way to just causes, and do much good in a world in need.

Where’s the Box for 18?

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We’ve all given money at times to support causes or organizations we believe in. And with the advent of e-commerce on the Web, it’s become even easier to do so. Just find the group’s website, fill in a form and check the little box next to the amount you wish to donate. Some start at $10 or $20 and go up from there: $50, $100, $1,000. Whatever you can give will be welcome. But Ira Riklis knows that some numbers (usually ones not available as click boxes), can have more meaning than others.

He might suggest that there be options available for $18, or $180 for example. Why? It has to do with the ancient Hebrew tradition of Gematrea: the study of the relationship between numbers, words and phrases. In this system the Hebrew word for Life (Chai) equals 18. So it’s become a tradition for Ira Riklis, as for many Jews, to consider 18 something of a lucky number. And giving gifts in some multiple of 18, not only provides financial support,  it provides symbolic support as a wish for and celebration of life.