Donating During the Holidays | Video

Alyssa Marino | 12/25/2012

Donations are the lifeblood for places like the Missouri Slope Area United Way, especially during the holidays, and donations don`t just mean money.

"There are so many different ways to give. Give up your time, advocate for people in need. But if you can afford to give even a dollar or two, it all adds up," said Jena Gullo.

The statistics would surprise you.

"Our recent United Way needs assessment showed that 45 percent of children under the age of five living in a single parent household are living in poverty," Gullo said.

Giving to charity is an investment and sometimes tax deductible. Getting a financial advisor on board could help.

"By working with a financial advisor, we could help them really leverage their gift to a charity of choice," said Rob Montgomery with Securian Financial Advisors of ND.

Montgomery offered ways to donate such as matching gifts. Where an employer could match the amount their employees give. Or the gift of insurance where you can make a charity the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. It`s a lot to take in, but advisors are there to help.

"We`re kind of like the quarterback. We coordinate the effort of the donor, talking to the charity of their choice, their attorney and their CPA," Montgomery said.

For Brenda Nagel, donating to charities is a family affair and the feeling she gets from it is priceless.

"On a personal level, when I give Christmas gifts to the Charles Hall Youth kids, or any of the angel trees and things, you it`s that warm, bubbly, goose-bumply feeling when you know you`ve done something for someone that totally doesn`t expect it."

Nagel believes it`s our responsibility as a community to help out.

"I think it`s important for all of us in the community to be leaders in our own right."

For ways to get involved this holiday, you can visit MSA united way`s website.

Montgomery also suggested an "outright gift" where you can give cash or transfer the title of a vehicle or land to an organization of your choice.

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