Page 5 - BusinessWest November 24, 2021

Giving
Continued from page 28
to consider the needs of area nonprofits and look for ways to support them — and there are many ways to do so beyond simply writing a check, although that is certainly important.
“It’s time, it’s money, it’s contributing ideas to help these nonprofits carry out their missions,” said Mori- arty, who, on the day he spoke with BusinessWest, was picking up 100 turkeys from a local market to take to the nonprofit I Found the Light Against All Odds (see page 40) for distribution to those in need.
Meanwhile, he and other employees at the bank donate time and talent (as board members or volun- teers) for several area nonprofits, including Link to Libraries, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA of Greater Spring-
Not-for-profits
Continued from page 28
work. While completing your holiday shopping, look around and really con- sider where the need is in your own community.
• Many large, nationwide chari- ties have local chapters in the Pio- neer Valley. For example, the United Way, the Red Cross, the National Alli- ance for Mental Illness, and Ronald McDonald House Charities all have affiliates based locally, in the Greater Springfield area. Donating directly
to the local chapter may result in a larger local impact than donating at
a national level. For example, a $100 donation to the national charity is pooled with other donations, and a portion is allocated to the local chap- ters. In that sense, giving nationally is still giving locally. But if you are pas- sionate about keeping your dollars in the local community, a $100 donation to the local chapter directly will likely have a greater impact as, typically,
a smaller percentage of the dona- tion will be allocated back up to the national-level charity.
Making Change
There are undeniable benefits to donating money to a charity. Chari- table donations make you feel good, and you get that satisfaction of know- ing your money can change someone’s world and the community they live in. Many charities are IRS-approved, so there are also tax incentives (charita- ble deductions) that you can take as a result of your donation. And, of course, setting an example of giving is a great way to teach the spirit of generosity and empathy toward others.
If you’re looking to donate to a good cause, we encourage you to research a need in your community. If the Pioneer Valley is important to you, then ask yourself, ‘where can I give a buck locally?’ u
DonnaM.Roundy,CPA isasenior manager, and Corey Jenkins, CPA is a senior associate, at the Holyoke-based accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; (413) 536-8510.
field, and many others.
“The majority of the officers and staff here con-
tribute one way or another — it’s part of our culture,” he noted. “There are many ways that people and businesses can support a nonprofit.”
Cosenzi agreed, and noted that TommyCar Auto Group has provided support for area nonprofits in many different ways, from corporate sponsorships of events like the Hot Chocolate Run (to support Safe Passage) and the Mayflower Marathon (which supports Open Pantry) to a partnership with the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department for the No Shave November program to raise money for cancer awareness.
And then, there’s the auto group’s own charity, the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tour- nament, which this year raised more than $125,000 to
support research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and also gave $12,000 to the family of Stefan Godecki to help in his fight against the same form of brain cancer that claimed the life of Carla’s father, Tom Cosenzi.
Overall, the business has stepped up during these trying times and looked for new and different ways to give back, she said, adding that, even though they are facing trying times themselves, companies and individuals should be looking at how they can step as well.
“These charities are hurting as much as the local businesses are,” Cosenzi said in conclusion. “I think that’s important for people to continue to commit to the community and to the charities that depend on us so much, and that people in need depend on.” u
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