Giving...Think Outside the Box

What a weekend of celebrations! Saturday was Eva's first birthday, and she enjoyed every minute of all the attention. Her three-year-old sister "helped" her open all of her presents, which included several of her very own outfits (versus the hand-me-downs that make up her wardrobe!), a piggy bank, and a talking frog. Eva's six-year-old sister, Ann, insisted that Eva wanted a six-layer cake with both chocolate and vanilla, so I did my best.

Sunday's event was a party of a different variety. I attended a gathering of the board of directors of the Eastland Community Foundation, one of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation's regional affiliates, to celebrate the board's terrific work in getting the word out about the new Charity Giving Card. The number of cards in circulation is approaching 300—just in the Eastland alone! Charity Giving Cards are a great way to celebrate a birthday, promotion, or any special occasion. Anyone can order a card online at www.gkccf.org and give the gift of giving.

The next birthday in my family is Ann, who turns seven in October. Instead of buying her toys that will end up wilting in a corner of the playroom after just a few short weeks, I am going to order her a Charity Giving Card. With my help, she can select a DonorEdge® nonprofit online and grant the face value of the card to a good cause. And the icing on the cake is that I get a charitable tax deduction! 

So. Isn't it time that you started thinking outside the box?