Matching Gifts Can Make a Difference

Thank you for taking the time to donate to our annual campaign. We truly appreciate all that you do for us!

Below is a letter from LVCC Board member, Pete Antonelli. Through his efforts LVCC has benefited from Aetna's matching gift program. Please take the time to read Pete's letter and find out if your company has a similar program. It is normally the case that you would have to apply each new calendar or fiscal year for matching funds depending upon your company's guidelines.

Thank you so very much for your generous gifts of time and monetary donations. Our students are very grateful that we can continue to offer quality programming for them because of your efforts.

LVCC Staff,
Darlene, Lynne, Kathleen, Tracy and Sue

PS: It is not too late to give to our annual appeal. : )

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office at 860-229-7323 or email office@literacycentral.org.



Greetings!
I was asked to write to you today to explain the power of corporate donations and volunteer grants your employer, church or other organization may have available.

Since 2000, I have been able to donate over $9500 through my employer's volunteer grant program. This program encourages employees to perform volunteer work which they will then match with a monetary donation. This can be a significant amount of money. The program at Aetna only has a few requirements:
• the benefiting organization is a non profit
• the volunteer offers a minimum of 20 hours for the year
Most companies have similar programs. Since you are already a volunteer, we ask that you inquire with your employer, church, and/or organization. I have found that employers are very willing to make this type of donation because they like to encourage volunteerism; and they care.

Aetna, like many other organizations also has a matching donation program where they will match any donation $25 or more for a non profit organization. Again, this is a relatively easy process and I have been able to secure approximately $4000 in matching donations since 2000.

In these difficult economic times, non profit organizations like LVCC are struggling like everyone else to "make ends meet". Successful business' often recognize this and are more than willing to help out ... if asked.

Please ask your employer today if they have this type of program in place and how can you take advantage of it. Volunteerism is looked upon very highly in business and your employer should be extremely proud of the efforts you provide to those less fortunate.


Sincerely,

Pete Antonelli
LVCC Board Member