November 2021 Newsletter

EOY Giving

End-of-Year Giving Generates the Most Savings

Did you know you can fully deduct charitable donations of up to $300 for single filers and $600 for joint filers for your 2021 taxes?

The CARES Act passed in 2020 included several charitable tax provisions to encourage giving.

Congress has extended these provisions for 2021 including:

  • A deduction for charitable donors who do not itemize when filing their tax returns.
  • If you do not itemize but make a cash gift to charity, you will be allowed to take a special tax deduction, up to $300 ($600 for joint filers), to reduce your tax liability.
  • An increase in the deduction limit up to 100% of a donor’s annual income for cash gifts (previously the deduction was capped at 60% of annual income). If you make a gift you will be able to deduct more this year.

 

Other ways you can make a tax-deductible donation include:

  • Gift appreciated securities instead of cash to avoid incurring capital gains.
  • IRA holders, age 70.5+, can donate to a qualified charity from their Traditional or Rother IRA (including inherited) tax-free.
  • Non-cash donations (property, vehicles, etc.)

If you have any questions, please contact your tax professional. We are grateful for your consideration in making BRMH your 2021 beneficiary.

Galactic Gala - Thank You & See You in 2022

The inaugural 2021 Galactic Gala showed us the force is within the BRMH community. Thank you to all sponsors, committee members, House staff, friends, volunteers, donors, and the many others that made this event out of this world! And a special thank you to Chevron for being a Galaxy Sponsor and ensuring we could make such a wonderful night happen.

With your help, we raised about $140,000 to help families stay close to their loved ones during one of the most difficult times in their lives. It costs $100/night to house a family at BRMH and about $10,000/month to operate the House for an entire month. We are so grateful for such a wonderful turn out and we can't wait to do even better next year!

Please save the date for Thursday, October 6, 2022 for our first annual Galactic Gala. We cannot wait to see you there!

Tickets will be limited, so please make sure to watch for more information. If you have any questions about this, please email Scarlett Sabin at [email protected].

Happy Jack's Monday Benefitting the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House

Every Monday from 6am-1pm is Happy Jack's Monday benefitting the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Takeout is also available!

You can support our House and Bakersfield's best no-frills burger and pie spots in town!

**There will be no Happy Jack's Monday on November 22nd as they prepare for their holiday pie sale. Catch them again on November 29th!

Thank you Happy Jack's! You are an amazing pillar of the Bakersfield community and we are lucky to partner with you.

Happy Jack's is located at 1800 20th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

 

BRMH Staff Spotlight - Samantha Martinez

The moment we met Samantha Martinez, we knew she would be a great asset to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House staff. Her incredibly friendly demeanor, authentic passion for helping others, and love of babies comes across in every interaction. We are so grateful to have this awesome person on our team!

Sam started her position at Guest Services Associate in October 2021, the month of our inaugural Galactic Gala, and she quickly got thrown into the chaos of event planning. “My title is Guest Service Associate, but I have also been called Volunteer coordinator, and Special Events coordinator... I like to say I am a little bit of everything!” Sam tells us when asked about her position on our team. Every day she rises to the occasion and lends a hand wherever is needed and we cannot thank her enough for her dedication to our mission. 

We asked Sam what has been her favorite part of working for the House so far and she had two great answers – special events and meeting her first BRMH baby!

“I love attending events, but after [meeting] the newborn son of the Olchefske family, I mean what could ever top that feeling. It is indescribable," she recounted with genuine joy. “The late-night/early morning shifts, the constant cleaning, and the constant caffeine intake is all worth it when you know you are there to help make a difference in these families' lives.”

When not at work or spending time with loved ones, this recent CSU Bakersfield graduate (Congrats, Sam!) loves to binge-watch TV shows and hunt for her next perfect houseplant. She also really believes in shopping local small businesses and loves supporting them. 

Next time you visit our House, be sure to stop in and say “hello” to Sam, one of our newest and most awesome team members. We are so lucky to have her!

 

Classic Dreams Holiday Donation Drive

Classic Dreams 10th Annual Holiday Donation Drive will be on Saturday, December 4th from 10 AM to 3 PM in the parking lot just to the north of our house.

+ Food vendors

+ Classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles on display

+ Family activities

+ Polo Express train rides for the kids

+ Kids jumper activity

+ Local news channels on-site for interviews

All car clubs, solo riders & motorcycles are welcome!

Bring an unwrapped kids toy (all ages), items from our House Wishlist (see photos), or a monetary donation made out to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Every $100 donation houses a family in need for one night at our house!

Come out and support a good cause while having fun, too. Can’t wait to see you and your family on Saturday, December 4th!

CLICK HERE to RSVP & stay up-to-date via our Facebook page.

 

Santa's Workshop Event

Holiday Pop Up Sales Event - Collectibles

Join us Saturday, December 4th & Sunday, December 5th for a two-day holiday pop up sales event located at Bakersfield Fraternal Order of Eagles at 1718 17th Street (93301).

 

Toys, collectibles, food, video games, anime, trading cards and

over 30 vendors! We can't wait to see you there.

Holiday Pop Up Sales Event at Zack's Nursery

Saturday, December 11th from 10 AM to 3 PM come find the perfect gift for that special someone at Zack's Nursery. Bakersfield's newest nursery is a real hidden gem that is located at 4317 E Brundage Ln (93307).

Proceeds from this event will benefit our House and you will get to find and support a variety of local businesses, including Zack's Nursery!

Contact Diane Simon at (661)331-9069 or [email protected] for more information. We can't wait to see you there!

CLICK HERE to RSVP & stay up-to-date via our Facebook page.

 

CTA Volunteers

Our Families Need You! Calling All Volunteers

The Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House is seeking:

  • House Volunteers
  • Special Event Volunteers
  • Group Volunteering
  • Community Service Hours

Becoming a volunteer allows you the ability to help support the House with your gift of time and talent. Weekday and weekend shifts are needed and since our operations are 24/7, we have a shift for you! All abilities and ages are welcome, but minors may need to be accompanied by a guardian.

To learn more information or to pick up an application just call

(661) 437-4130 or email David Torres at [email protected] for more information.

 

Matching Gifts

Did you know that many companies match the donations of their employees to organizations like ours?

With just a few easy steps, you could double the impact of your gift to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House? To learn more and find out if your employer has a matching gifts program, visit: https://rmhcsc.org/chapter/page/doubledonation

#KeepingFamiliesClose #matchinggifts

 

We Want to Know Your "Why" - Email Us!

We want to know your "why"! Why did you choose our organization to be involved with? What keeps you coming back? What is your story?

Each one of your unique stories helps us tell our history. We want to hear your perspective to connect better with our community. Your story may end up on our next newsletter our Facebook or Instagram!

Please submit any photos and your written story to our Marketing Communications Director, Jillian Pitre, at [email protected].

#KeepingFamiliesClose #Community

 

If you have any questions about the content in this newsletter, you can email Jillian Pitre at [email protected]!

 

Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House

420 34th Street

Phone: (661) 437-4130

Fax: (661) 324-4632

Website: https://rmhcsc.org/bakersfield

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BakersfieldRMH