We are hopeful and grateful for the generosity that rises from having the end of 2022 in sight. This fall, LifePath has been and will be gifted with a number of community-based opportunities for our organization and the people we serve to truly feel the goodness of this region. 

It’s the time of year when donations arrive as a result of donors taking their required minimum distributions (RMD) from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). If you’re thinking about your end-of-year giving plans, please consider donating some or all of your RMD to LifePath, a worthy local charity. 
 
LifePath donor and local active community member Shirley Gilfether recently learned that giving through this vehicle benefits her and the organizations she supports. “I was so excited to hear that I could make donations to local charities with these funds without having to pay the required tax. This way, more money goes to the agencies. I am preparing my paperwork now to have my donations hopefully hit charities in time to be considered for their November 29th Giving Tuesday campaigns. For some agencies this might help with matching funds.  So please start your process now.” Thanks so much, Shirley!
 
Charity Navigator offers this information on donating your RMD, but check with your financial advisor on the details of age requirements, tax benefits, timing, and more. When setting up a charitable distribution, you may be asked for LifePath’s tax ID number (04-2542539) and our correct address which is 101 Munson Street, Suite 201, Greenfield, MA 01301.  We are grateful to those of you who choose to give in this way.  

Speaking of #GivingTuesday, this year’s initiative lands on Tuesday, November 29. Our hope is that you will offer LifePath your generosity and honor “a day that encourages people to do good.” The parent organization reports that the simple idea turned into a global generosity movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Each year leading up to and on #GivingTuesday, we see and experience the local activism of this movement and are proud to be a recipient. Please think of LifePath as you unleash your power of radical generosity and use this link to give on Tuesday, November 29. 

Also coming right up, the Subaru Share the Love program will again run from November 17, 2022 through January 3, 2023. Over the past 14 years, Subaru and its retailers have partnered with Meals on Wheels America to enable the delivery of nearly four million meals and friendly visits to older adults served by the Meals on Wheels programs. And now, for the fifteenth year, Meals on Wheels has been selected yet again as one of the charity partners of Subaru’s annual Share the Love Event. 

Over the last 4 years, LifePath has earned nearly $20,000 by participating in the Subaru Share the Love program.  If you’re in the market for a Subaru from November 17, 2022 through January 3, 2023, then when you buy or lease, when offered the charitable option, please choose Meals on Wheels as the recipient of a $300 donation so that LifePath will benefit. Learn more at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.

Earlier this fall, in September, LifePath was the recipient of $1 donations from the Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program. Whether you bought a Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet or helped to spread the word, we are delighted that LifePath was recognized and chosen as an “exceptional hunger organization” local to the Stop & Shop located at 89 French King Highway in Greenfield. Once received, the proceeds will be directed toward our Meals on Wheels and nutrition programs. We offer our thanks to Stop & Shop and their bouquet-buying customers!

October included LifePath’s participation in Jiffy Lube’s Drive To Do More program which partners with Meals on Wheels America in an effort to support local Meals on Wheels programs, like LifePath’s. The closest Jiffy Lube location to LifePath’s service area is 347 Russell Street in Hadley. 

At check out, Jiffy Lube customers were asked if they wish to donate $3 in support of Meals on Wheels. If you are a customer, were asked in October, and showed your support for Meals on Wheels and LifePath – thank you for Driving to Do More!

We’d also like to introduce Amanda Carter who has started the position of Events Coordinator with the main focus of planning and executing the annual Walkathon, now in its 31st year. Amanda comes to LifePath with lots of energy and recent experience with special events and coaching. We look forward to her putting those skills together for a truly dynamic event on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Rumor has it that we’ll see Amanda’s coaching in action as she aims to bring greater focus to participants’ walking, which will be a welcome enhancement to the Walkathon. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s event, don’t hesitate to reach out to Coach Carter by sending an email to acarter@lifepathma.org.

This list of opportunities demonstrates the many ways LifePath secures support from across our communities – and country – in an effort to create a better quality of life for the older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers we serve. With all of these options, we are glad donors have choices regarding how they support our work. Please know we are grateful for all the ways you show your generosity to us. Thank you.