Pictured from left: Larry Crandell and his wife Marcy, Paul Didier, and Anne Smith Towbes with her husband Michael

A VIP reception at the Biltmore opened the evening. Past and present honorees and chairs joined Alexis de Tocqueville Society and United Way Board members in toasting the evening’s honorees.  The group then moved through the red carpet entrance to the red feather themed wonderland that makes the ball so unique each year.

KEYT Honorees pictured from left: Charlie Hogetvedt, Debby Davison, Paul Vercammen, and Gerry Fall

Counselors-in-Training Angelica and Daniel met guests as representatives of United Way’s Fun in the Sun enrichment program. Angelica spoke later in the evening’s program about her six years as a Fun in the Sun participant. The impact on her life has been significant: Angelica hopes to one day work as a paid counselor to help other children experience the educational and recreational activities Fun in the Sun provides to low-income children.

United Way’s Board Chair Kent Englert with his wife Jill

Special thanks go to our Honorary Chair Michael Towbes, who was there with his wife, Anne Smith Towbes. Anne accepted the award this year on behalf of KEYT-TV.

Next year’s 10th Annual Red Feather Ball on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Bacara Resort will be an all-star celebration bringing together all of the past recipients of the award.  These honorees include:

Larry Crandell and KEYT-TV
Michael Towbes and Montecito Bank & Trust
Lady Leslie & the late Lord Paul Ridley Tree and Santa Barbara News-Press
Andy Granatelli and Cottage Health System
Former Sheriff Jim Thomas and Santa Barbara City College
Katherine & the late Stewart Abercrombie and Cox Communications
Ursula  & the late Wally Drew and Raytheon Company
Bob Bryant and Westmont College
The late Stuart Taylor and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust

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In 1997, United Way created the Fun in the Sun summer program for at-risk and low-income youth and continues to support its growth in order to serve more children. 

Fun in the Sun Counselors in Training, Daniel and Angelica at the Red Feather Ball

Angelica Hernandez, 15, served as a Fun in the Sun Counselor in Training and, more recently, was the Fun in the Sun spokesperson at United Way’s Red Feather Ball.  In her address to the attendees Angelica states, “Fun in the Sun really means a lot to me because it has not only helped me, but it has helped my brothers and sisters too.  Fun in the Sun is a big part of my family, and I want the program to grow so it can help other families.”

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Congress has acted to encourage additional charitable giving during this critical time of natural disasters by changing income tax laws to help Americans fund relief efforts while continuing to support their local charities.  In September the Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Package (H.R. 3768) was signed into law, and as part of this package, Sec. 301 permits unlimited gifts to almost any charity up to a donor's total income.  Although this is a temporary provision (qualifying cash gifts must be made between August 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005), this is an ideal opportunity to make a charitable gift from your IRA or other qualified retirement plan this year.  This is how it works.

The IRA owner withdraws the desired amount this year and makes the charitable gift by December 31, 2005.  When a person over age 59½ withdraws funds from his or her IRA, the withdrawal will be included in the IRA owner's taxable income. Under the new “100% of income charitable gifts” option, the withdrawn funds may be given in full to Santa Barbara County’s United Way, and is fully deductible.
Usually, for higher income taxpayers, 3% of itemized deductions are not allowed. But for cash gifts to charity between August 28 and December 31, 2005, the 3% reduction does not apply. 100% of the gift is deductible.

Here is an example:

Annie, an IRA Owner, is over the age of 59 ½ and has income this year of $100,000.  She has an IRA of $1,000,000 and has the desire to help secure the future of Santa Barbara with a significant gift to United Way.  She withdraws $500,000 from her IRA which is added to her taxable income, giving her a total income of $600,000. She gives the $500,000 to Santa Barbara County’s United Way by December 31, 2005 and deducts the $500,000. Her income for tax purposes is reduced to the original $100,000.

We urge you to check with your advisors about the best ways to take advantage of this special giving opportunity.  Remember that your gift must be completed on or before December 31, 2005 to benefit from the suspension of rules that could otherwise limit the attractiveness of a gift made from your IRA or other retirement plan. 

If you have any questions, please call Judy Goodbody, CFRE, Certified Tax Consultant at 965-8591, ext.120, or email jgoodbody@unitedwaysb.org.

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Listening to stories at Harding Elementary

Santa Barbara County’s United Way has again supported the Pre-Kindergarten Summer Institutes with the Santa Barbara School Districts and Isla Vista Youth Projects.  The Institutes assist poverty level and homeless children who otherwise would enter kindergarten with no pre-school experience.  Teachers tell us that children who start kindergarten without pre-kindergarten experience are already two years behind their class peers.  

Eating nutritious snacks at Isla Vista Youth Projects

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