http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/304540/17/

From left, National Kidney Foundation of Utah and Idaho CEO Deen Vetterli, Charley’s Grilled Subs franchise owner Marcus Gilbert, Charley’s employee Juan Delgado, and Charley’s Marketing Director Betsy Wright stand for the media in front of Charley’s Grilled Subs at the University Mall in Orem Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Charley’s corporate offices donated $10,000 to the National Kidney Foundation Tuesday. Gilbert donated a kidney to his employee Delgado in September 2008.

Wednesday, 01 April 2009

Kidney donation to Orem boy spurs others to help

Michael Rigert - DAILY HERALD

OREM — The initiative and generosity of Marcus Gilbert, owner of a local sandwich store, already saved the life of an Orem boy, and his example has led to others helping those with kidney disease. Gilbert, a Roy resident, owns two Charley’s Grilled Subs franchises, including the one at the University Mall in Orem. In September, Gilbert donated one of his healthy kidneys to his employee, Juan Delgado, who was suffering from end stage renal disease.Delgado, nearly fully recovered from the transplant surgery, said on Tuesday that he’s back attending classes at Timpanogos High School and planning to return to work at Gilbert’s store this summer. “I’m almost 100 percent,” said Delgado, who added that it’s still hard for him to believe that his boss gave him a kidney after he had waited four years for one. But Delgado’s sister, Esmerelda, also an Orem employee of Gilbert’s, and the one who initially informed her boss about her brother’s medical condition, said the act was just like her boss. “I’m glad for him doing what he’s done,” she said. “He’s really nice.” Delgado and his family were at the sandwich shop in the mall’s food court Tuesday morning to celebrate the donation of $10,000 from the Charley’s Grilled Subs company to the National Kidney Foundation in Utah. Because of Gilbert’s example and Delgado’s story, the company in February dedicated a portion of each sub sold at all its locations during National Philly Cheesesteak Month to fight kidney disease. While Delgado was hospitalized for about two weeks in his recovery process, Gilbert said it took him about seven to eight weeks to get back up to full speed again following the surgery. “He felt better right away, and I didn’t feel that good,” he said. “It was a surprise for me that they said the donor actually has a longer recovery time.” Still, Gilbert said he’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. He said it’s important for people to know that donors have no long-term side effects, and both a donor and a transplant recipient can go on to live long and healthy lives. He hopes others are willing to be kidney donors. “I’m blessed to have been part of a miracle in someone else’s life,” Gilbert said. Apparently his goodwill was infectious. While laid up in the hospital for a week following the surgery, Gilbert said he was personally visited by the CEO of Charley’s Grilled Subs, Charley Shin, who wrote out a personal check to Delgado in the sum of $10,000 to help cover his hospital bills. Gilbert has continued to raise funds for Delgado at his two store locations with the hopes of eventually paying for the family’s approximately $100,000 in hospital bills. He said he’d rather Delgado concentrate on his education and going to college rather than having to worry about medical debts. Those interested in making a donation to kidney patients on behalf of Delgado and others can go to www.charleys.com, click on the “Eat a Cheesesteak, Save a Life” icon and make a contribution. Deen Vetterli, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Utah and Idaho, said the company’s donation will go toward patient services, medical research at the University of Utah and public education programs about kidney disease and how to prevent it. In Utah, she said, there are approximately 2,200 patients on dialysis, and of those, 230 are on the waiting list for a donor kidney. Nationally, 80,000 individuals with kidney disease are on waiting lists for transplants. What’s surprising, she said, is how many donors like Gilbert are willing to share a kidney with someone they hardly know or who are strangers to them, but who might die without it. “The Good Samaritan ones are so heart-warming,” she said.

http://www.sltrib.com/valleywest/ci_11576573

Utahn wins nationwide sweepstakes

Kidney Kars » The South Jordan resident was picked from about 10,000 contest entries.

By Anna Kartashova–The Salt Lake Tribune–Posted: 01/29/2009 12:01:00 AM MST

Photo courtesy National Kidney Foundation Richard and Shoran Cloward and their neighbors, Gary and Darlene Odenwalder, spent four days in Pebble Beach, Calif., as winners of National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Cars 25th anniversary sweepstakes.

When a South Jordan resident donated his ‘93 Dodge truck to a charity organization last October, he had no idea he was entering a sweepstakes.

Needless to say, Richard Cloward was nothing short of surprised after winning a three-night, four-day trip to Pebble Beach, Calif.

The National Kidney Foundation decided to hold a contest as part of its car-for-charity program’s 25th anniversary to distinguish Kidney Kars among its emulators, said Luz Lewis-Perez, director of development and programs of National Kidney Foundation of Utah.

“There’s been too many copy cats in the past years,” she said, adding Kidney Kars was the nation’s first car-for-charity program.

Everyone who donated vehicles to the foundation between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 was automatically entered in the sweepstakes. Among nearly 10,000 donations nationwide within those four months, 1,443 cars were from the Beehive State.

“We’re so glad someone in Utah got to win this contest,” Lewis-Perez said. “Utahns have been so generous to Kidney Kars.”

When Cloward learned he won the grand prize, he was a bit skeptical.

“You’re always a little suspicious, but it took a couple of questions and answers [to know] it was legit,” he said.

Cloward has donated three other vehicles to the program before: a ‘95 Dodge Intrepid with a blown engine and two Ford trucks — one with a dead engine and another with a defunct transmission — that he used for his own business,

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Cottonwood Landscapes.Although it wasn’t Cloward’s first trip to California, it was his first to Pebble Beach, which is known for its high-end golf courses.”Not everybody plays Pebble Beach at $400 a round,” Cloward said. “You gotta pay lots of money or be a member. It’s first class.”

The $20,000 value vacation was paid for four people, so Cloward invited his wife of 45 years, Shoran, and next-door neighbors Gary and Darlene Odenwalder.

“I play golf, and he doesn’t, so it’s a trip of a lifetime for a golfer to go to Pebble Beach,” Gary Odenwalder said.

Utah’s program is among the top three most substantive car donation programs in the nation, Lewis-Perez said. Donors are usually families with children seeking a tax deduction, and Utah fits those demographics well.

The majority of donated cars National Kidney Foundation receives are 13 years or older and are parted and recycled if they don’t pass safety and emission inspection.

Lewis-Perez said it’s a great way to get rid of a car that no longer runs, takes up driveway space and is a hazard to the environment with its low fuel efficiency and high emissions.

However, about a quarter of all donated vehicles can be resold, she said, and 87 cents for every $1 raised goes toward care for local kidney patients, according to the foundation’s Web site. The money is used for medical research and kidney screenings for about 4,000 dialysis and transplant patients.

“There’s not a more responsible way to get rid of a vehicle,” Lewis-Perez said.

It typically takes two to five business days after the Kidney Foundation receives your information. It is also possible to request 24 hour pick up service (in most areas) for special circumstances.

Kidney Kars accepts any car that has a clear title, inflated tires and has not been dismantled or parted out. It can tow your vehicle from almost anywhere.

The tax deduction generally applies to those who itemize deductions on their 1040 federal tax return. The amount of the tax deduction depends on the actual sale value of the Kidney Kar donation.

Source: http://www.towkars.org/faq.php.

Donation informationTo donate a car, truck, motor home or boat to Kidney Kars, call 800-TOW-KARS (869-5277) or visit www.towkars.org/howtodonate.php.

“We were all moved to witness such an act of faith and kindness by Charley’s franchisee, Marcus Gilbert, who donated his kidney to save the life of a 16-year-old employee, Juan Delgado,” shares James Pa, Senior Director of Marketing for Charley’s. “Partnering with the National Kidney Foundation was a simple extension of Charley’s commitment to strengthening our neighbors.”

Juan’s battle with end-stage kidney disease began three years ago. Juggling school and mounting health problems, Juan had difficulty finding and holding on to a job. In March 2008, Marcus stepped forward and offered him a position at Charleys in University Mall in Orem, Utah, but his giving didn’t stop there. Marcus donated his kidney to Juan this past fall.

“There are more than 100,000 Americans currently on the national waiting list for organ transplants,” says John Davis, National Kidney Foundation CEO. “Partnerships, like the one NKF shares with Charley’s Grilled Subs, help support our efforts to educate the public about the life-saving power of organ donation and provide support to organ donors and their families.”

Taking the lead from one of its franchise owners who gave the gift of life to an employee, Charley’s Grilled Subs® will give their own gift this month to further the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) life-saving work.  

Throughout Philly CheeseSteak Month, celebrated in January, Charley’s will donate a portion of each sandwich sold  to support the NKF’s work in research, patient services, public and professional education, advocacy and organ donation.

 For more information, visit www.Charleys.com   and click on Eat a CheeseSteak…Save a Life.

About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to preventing and treating kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing availability of all organs for transplantation. To learn more about kidney disease, risk factors and organ donation contact the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or (800)622-9010.

For video instruction about how to donate your old car to the National Kidney Foundation of Utah’s Kidney Kars Donation program please visit us at Expertvillage.com :

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/164945_donate-car-kidney-foundation.htm

IRS gives tips for larger tax refunds

Janice Peterson - Daily herald

As the end of the year quickly approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is offering some tax tips that may help residents get a better refund next year. Although taxes for 2008 are not due until April 15, officials say there are several items that should be looked at before the end of the year. One important item that can make a big difference is charitable contributions. According to a news release, taxpayers should make sure to give all charitable contributions before Dec. 31. IRS spokesman Clay Sanford said it is important to keep a record of any contributions, which may be something taxpayers overlook.”There’s a first time for everyone when it comes to charitable donations in their life,” he said. Sanford said record-keeping is very important when it comes to charity. A record of the contributions should be kept for three years, and a written communication from the charity about the contribution must be kept as well. Marty Evans, a local spokesman for H&R Block, said tips about charitable contributions are especially relevant in Utah, where a large portion of the population gives money to their church or a local charity. Evans said residents can use “tax planning” to pay extra money to a charity before Dec. 31 and maximize their deduction. Evans said tax planning works for taxpayers who plan to itemize their deductions. If the deductions for the year aren’t quite high enough to reach a certain point for itemization, charitable contributions for the next year can be made early to make up the difference. For someone who knows how much they plan to give in the next year, that amount can be contributed early to maximize the deduction and reduce the contribution necessary next year. Tax planning does not work for everyone, but it can be a valuable way to maximize deductions. “That’s just part of tax planning and knowing what their situation is,” he said. Evans said tax planning can also be used for qualifying health, retirement and other savings plans. A person can contribute the maximum amount to these plans before the end of the year and save on taxes on the money. That way, Evans said, the government is helping contribute to the plans through the savings in taxes. “The government is paying for up to 50 percent of your savings plan,” he said. Evan said it is also important to look through paperwork before the end of the year to make sure everything needed is available. Work expenses like travel cannot be deducted without receipts, and waiting until April may be too late to obtain the necessary paperwork. “If you can’t substantiate it, you can’t deduct it,” he said. According to the release, stock owners should also evaluate their portfolios and get rid of bad stock before the year is up. Capital losses from stocks can be netted against capital gains and may be used to reduce ordinary income by up to $3,000. Sanford said it is a good idea to start working on taxes early to ensure they are done right. Even with a tax preparer, the actual taxpayer is responsible for the tax return, so residents should take the time to research tax preparers and get references. He said some people wait too long to file their taxes and find themselves in trouble, whether it be with missing paperwork or just long lines at the post office. “People who owe money may put it off to the last minute,” he said. “I wouldn’t encourage them to do that.”

A link to this article :   http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/293981/

Donate your car after a charity check

‘Tis the season to be charitable. For some people, that means donating a vehicle. You can donate your car through a local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and others, or a charity that specializes in car donations and will pick up cars, sell them at auction, and give a charity some of the proceeds.

We’ve heard such groups touted in radio ads, and search engines yield plenty of names, but our research indicates donors should be careful. None of three car-donation Web sites we looked into had a privacy policy, and two lacked complete contact information. Often the charity gets 5 percent or less of the car’s claimed value, according to a 2003 survey by the Government Accountability Office. Before you donate your car, ask :

Is the charity IRS-approved?

Ask the charity whether it’s qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions. Most approved charities are listed online in IRS Publication 78 (www.irs.gov/app/pub-78).

How will the car be used?

The IRS says a donated car worth more than $500 that’s kept in use by the charity—bringing meals to seniors, for instance—can be deducted at its current fair market value. But if it’s sold at auction by the charity, you can deduct only the auction price. If the charity takes cars that can’t be driven, the donation might be worth no more than a lug nut.

How much money will the charity get from a third-party arrangement?

Ask the charity’s development office. Look for a share of at least 15 percent.

How much will the charity use for good deeds?

The Better Business Bureau recommends giving to charities that devote at least 65 percent of donations to good works. The BBB’s National Charity Reports Index (www.bbb.org/charity) rates charities on 20 standards. Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) has information, too. Both services are free.

After you donate your car, record the name and address of the charity and the date of your donation. Get a receipt. Keep a copy of the title transfer. Report the transfer to your state motor-vehicle department and cancel your car insurance.

Remove the vehicle’s license plates—unless state law says otherwise—and the registration and inspection stickers. That way, you won’t be sideswiped by a later owner’s violations.

Here are links to ExpertVillage.com that instruct donors how to doante their car to the Kidney Foundation:

 hhttp://www.expertvillage.com/video/164941_donate-car-utah.htmttp://www.expertvillage.com/video/164945_donate-car-kidney-foundation.htm

If you choose to donate your car to the National Kidney Foundation of  Utah & Idaho, the  #1 choice in charity car donation in Utah, between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 you will automatically be entered to win a trip to Pebble Beach for 4 (golf included),  a $25,000 cash prize, and 25 prizes including a years worth of gasoline and oil changes.  For details visit the towkars.org or the kidneycars.org website (http://www.kidney.org/support/kidneycars/sweepstakeDetails.cfm) for details!  Thank you for making your charity car donation a Kidney Kar!

It is discouraging to the Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho to note how many organizations accept car donations in Utah when they ARE NOT EVEN IN Utah or Idaho.  Donating online is so easy now days, that many people don’t differentiate who they are giving their car to.  Charity Navigator is America’s premier independent charity evaluator.  They evaluate over 5,300 of America’s largest charities.  On their site, we found an article to help car donors determine where they should be giving their car donations to:   http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=158  — when considering who to give your car to, these are great guidelines.    Ask if that charity is located in your state!  Ask what they do with their money.  Make sure the charity is a 501 (c)(3) and understand the work that charity does in your community.   Thank you for considering the Kidney Kars donation program!