Giving to a Good Cause

Giving to a Good Cause

“Would you like to donate to…?”, “It’s a really great cause…”, “Your donation is tax deductible…”.

It always seems that at every corner you turn, someone is asking you to donate toward something. When you donate, think about where your donation is going and how it may be utilized to its best possible means. Donating doesn’t always have to be a monetary gesture. Visit the website of the charity you wish to donate to and see if they have a “Wish List” that will guide you as to what their needs may be.

Each month GARMA will be collecting for local charities as part of our First Friday, Gettysburg Style events. We encourage you to visit the website of the non-profit(s) we are supporting and see how you can help. April 5 is First Friday, Gettysburg Style and our local non-profit beneficiaries are Forever Love Rescue (a new GARMA member!) and Adams County SPCA. After visiting their websites and looking at pictures of all those furry friends, you may just decide that volunteering is the way you want to donate. However, if volunteering isn’t in your schedule, you can drop off donations for both rescues on April 5 or throughout the month of April at participating GARMA First Friday, Gettysburg Style businesses (visit www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com to see a complete list).

Now that we’ve asked you to donate, let me tell you how GARMA donates back to the community starting with the Downtown Flower Project that is supported by the Gettysburg Garden Club. This will be the first year that GARMA is donating to the cost of watering and maintaining the beautiful flowered hanging baskets you will see throughout the town very soon. This is the second year that GARMA is donating a monetary contribution to help fund the expenses of the annual Gettysburg Memorial Day parade being held on May 27 at 2pm. Last, but not least GARMA starts the holiday season with the annual Gettysburg Tree Lighting Ceremony. Through donations from all over the country GARMA was able to purchase the current Christmas tree and can continue purchasing wreaths and other decorations to enhance Gettysburg’s holiday season. We are always looking for constructive ways to donate back to the community.

So again, it may get tiring getting phone calls and letters asking for donations. Just remember, if you are interested in donating to any cause do some research to see where the money is going and how it’s being used. Try your best to donate local so you know that your funds, or your volunteer efforts, are supporting the Gettysburg community.

In other news, GARMA would like to welcome new members: Forever Love Rescue, 39 Queen St., Total Tech Solutions, 670 Johns Ave., and Horse Tours of Gettysburg, 11 Lincoln Square. If you are interested in becoming a GARMA member visit our website and fill out and mail the membership application. And, don’t forget that GARMA gift certificates make great gifts. Visit us online to see where you can purchase and redeem your gift certificates.

​-Jennie Dillon is the owner of Artworks, 30 York St., and the Vice President of GARMA

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