INCOME TAX CHECK-OFF PROGRAM MAKES DONATIONS TO ALABAMA 4-H EASY

It’s that time of year again when taxpayers across Alabama are compiling their receipts and documents in preparation for tax filing season. Alabama 4-H is also preparing, making sure residents are aware they can help youngsters across the state by simply earmarking a portion of their state tax refund for 4-H.

Alabama 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the state with nearly 180,000 participants, is part of the state of Alabama’s Income Tax Check-Off program. For Alabamians filing state 40 forms, the Alabama 4-H contribution line is 31K.

This is the second year Alabama 4-H has participated in the state of Alabama program, and 100 percent of the money donated is spent on programs for Alabama’s youngsters, said Jack Odle, chair of the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc.

“Donations such as the Income Tax Check Off program are vital to 4-H because they help support the hundreds of programs statewide offered to 4-H’ers,” said Odle.

“4-H relies on donations because we do not charge a membership fee to participate, and many of our gifts are from Alabamians who give because they know first hand the impact 4-H made on their life.”

One such person is Jeff Helms of Montgomery.

“4-H had a tremendous, positive impact on my life,” said Helms, editor of Neighbors and Friends & Family magazines for the Alabama Farmers Federation.

“Having grown up on a farm in rural Alabama, 4-H provided me opportunities to travel, meet other young people from across the country and develop skills that have served me well in my personal and professional life.”

Helms said he was excited to learn that the Alabama Legislature approved 4-H for the Income Tax Check-Off program. “I can think of no youth organization more deserving of financial support. The check-off gives 4-H alumni as well as parents of children who one day will participate in the program an easy and convenient way to give back to a club that continues to shape the lives of Alabama's future leaders.”

Helms said he and his family found donating easy last year, and it brought back memories of how important 4-H was in helping him find a career path.

“It was through 4-H that I was first exposed to public speaking and writing (and) those programs later led me to pursue a career in agricultural journalism.”

Remember to check line 31K on your Alabama 40 form to support Alabama 4-H. You can also make a donation to 4-H youngsters by marking the same line and including a check with your tax form.

Contact: Odle at (205) 445-6419 or jack_odle@timeinc.com; Helms at (334) 613-4212 or jhelms@alfafarmers.org; or Janet McCoy, Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. at (334) 844-2298 or mccoyjl@aces.edu.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at January 28, 2005 03:20 PM