Seniors are valuable members of our community — and some of the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, their needs for safety, security and comfort are often forgotten. Now, in the face of COVID-19, seniors are more at risk, and caring for them has become even more vital.

Over the past few months, we have been challenged to keep our seniors safe while still delivering the services they so desperately need. We have shifted our way of serving them, making adjustments and arrangements to ensure their safety, health and emotional well-being.

This new normal has put unprecedented pressure on our budget and staff. All of our fundraising events have been canceled, including our Gala, and we are without the funding we count on to fully serve seniors.

Your support of seniors makes a tremendous impact on their lives and allows them the ability to remain in their homes safely and independently.

Please give today to the 2020 Community Campaign for Seniors.

To the St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation Community:

While we practice the recommended social distancing for the health of our loved ones and our community, in some ways, we may be closer than ever as we navigate uncharted, ever-changing waters. We are in this life together – through good times and bad, uncertain and unprecedented – and we will get through this trial together. In the middle of chaos, I’ve also witnessed many gestures of compassion and encourage you to reach out to others feeling vulnerable at this time in ways you feel able to do so.

At St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation, our role is to serve, to be ready, to be adaptable, and most of all, to be there for our seniors. While our environment may look different for the next few weeks, we are still committed to responding to their needs. Melissia, from Senior Solutions, has been calling all of our seniors to see how they are doing. Checking to make sure they have food and medicine, and are giving themselves a "break" from the stress of the daily news, and letting them know they can call us – even if they just need to talk.

Some of their responses to her calls have been heartwarming and some made us laugh! "God Bless all of you at St. Andrew’s!" "You all can call me if you need to talk too." "Thank you for continuing to send Margaret – she is the only person I am letting come in my home." "I’d quit watching the news if they’d quit interrupting my soap operas."

Several of you have asked how you can be of help to St. Andrew’s, and we can’t thank you enough for thinking of us and our seniors in need at this time. To ensure the safety and well-being of our St. Andrew’s community, we have decided to suspend all volunteering and visitors to our office until further notice. We will communicate any changes to this policy as we move forward.

While volunteering may not be an option, we continue to need your financial support. We have thoughtfully and responsibly managed St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation for nearly 13 years, in strong and weak economies, but none of us can predict the timetable or outcome of this unique period in time. The knowledge that you are behind us and are committed – in good times and bad, is the greatest gift you could provide.

Thank you and be well,

Linda Sanders,

Chief Development Officer

The newly signed congressional CARES Act encourages charitable donations by giving new tax breaks to donors.

“Normally, charitable deductions are only allowed if you itemize deductions on your tax return. The new legislation allows for a deduction of up to $300 for those tax payers who do not itemize but instead claim the standard deduction. For example, a $300 deduction would result in $105 of federal tax savings for a tax payer in the 35% tax bracket. In addition, charitable deductions are no longer limited. Previously, cash contributions to public charities were limited to 60% of a tax payer’s adjusted gross income. The CARES Act lifts this restriction therefore donors can realize 100% of their qualified contributions to public charities.” - Brooke Hunady, Moneta Group

Read the full CARES Act article here.