Page 7 - A Holiday To Remember 2016

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE MORNING CALL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016 7

HOLIDAY MEMORIES Do thorough research
to sidestep charity scams
Some memories just keep on giving

My favorite holiday memory goes By the way, I still put the lights on the A word to the gener- individuals. Follow these tips to telemarketers.
back about 40 years. tree; no pre-lit tree for us. We hope and ously wise: Conduct make sure hard-earned money is ¦ Don’t give cash donations.
pray they still work when I plug them in. research before giving going to reputable groups and not Cash is difficult to trace, making it
I would help my mom decorate the Once lit, I decorate the tree and she gets to any charity to confirm that to criminals preying on your a preferred method of donation
Christmas tree and we would play 33-1/3 the decorations ready for me (putting on organization’s authenticity. generosity. collection among scam artists. If a
records of Christmas music on the record hooks when needed). It takes three or ¦ Start by doing research. charity is insisting on cash or
player — yes, songs by the Lennon four strings of lights. Legitimate nonprofit organi- Charity Watch and Charity Navi- wants you to make a decision
Sisters and Alvin and the Chipmunks. zations and charities do exten- gator, each of which is recom- immediately, this should raise red
Her color scheme has changed some, sive work to help people and mended by the Federal Trade flags.
For a few years, we would set up a with home-made decorations added and fulfill their missions. When Commission, have carefully ¦ Protect your privacy. Only
putz with Lionel trains, too. her own tree skirt done in red, white and commercials, emails or direct researched many different chari- work with charities that respect
green with tassels. mail pamphlets tug at the ties. This can be the first stop in your privacy and will not sell your
We would sing along and take our heartstrings, it’s understand- verifying the legitimacy of a name or information to other
time, enjoying our hours together. We love the end results! able to want to help as quickly particular charity. Check for a groups.
And we both hope everyone has as possible. But just as there charity’s registration number and ¦ Request information. Reputa-
But, believe it or not, this is not just a happy holidays with great memories to are scores of honest organiza- see if it’s registered on the Better ble charities will tell you how they
memory. We still decorate my mom’s share. tions banking on the generosity Business Bureau website at will spend your money and if your
Christmas tree every year! Sharon Ganssle, Bethlehem of willing donors, so, too, there www.bbb.org/us/charity. gift is tax-deductible.
are scam artists hoping to ¦ Don’t give to cold calls or ¦ Be aware of sound-alike
Now I play Christmas music CDs, and exploit them. These crooks not emails. It’s best to take your time groups. Some scam artists create
we sing along and enjoy the afternoon. only prey on innocent donors, with charitable requests and sound-alike organizations to trick
they indirectly steal from confirm their authenticity. This donors. In such instances, donors
Don’t forget batteries! people affected by disasters, may require visiting the website believe they are donating to legiti-
If you want to avoid one of the biggest poaching donations meant for of a particular group or contact- mate charities but are really giving
seasonal letdowns, remember the bat- ful of ensuring that gifts are ready to use, relief organizations. ing them directly to see how you to another organization. In 2016,
teries when giving gifts to kids and tech as kids can be extra eager to play with can help. You never know who is the Federal Trade Commission
lovers. their new toys once opened. But whether The American Grandparents on the end of a phone call or who brought charges against four
it’s a remote-controlled car, video game Organization says Americans sent an email soliciting donations. sound-alike cancer groups, high-
Ninety percent of Americans have for- controller, or robotic pet, recipients of all donate an estimated $300 What’s more, according to Chari- lighting just how prevalent such
gotten batteries for a holiday gift in the past, ages will want to enjoy their gifts right billion to charities each year. ty Navigator, cold calls are usu- faulty organizations are.
according to a survey by Energizer this away, so don’t forget to read the labels on These include well-known and ally conducted by for-profit
year. And 44 percent of consumers take holiday items and be prepared. well-established charitable telemarketers that have con- Charity scams are prevalent.
batteries out of other devices to power a Remember, batteries make great stock- groups and crowdfunding sites tracted with charities. These But by being diligent about re-
holiday gift if they forgot to purchase bat- ing stuffers. like GoFundMe. contracts are not favorable to the searching and gaining informa-
teries at the store. Even the best holiday gifts can lose charities — with up to 95 cents of tion, donors can avoid parting with
So don’t let the phrase “Batteries Not their luster without batteries to operate While the majority of dona- every donated dollar going to the their money unnecessarily.
Included” on the packaging crush holiday them. Ensure the holidays end on a high tions end up in the right hands,
cheer or require an anti-climactic run to the note by remembering the batteries with charity scammers still manage Metro Creative Connection
store. your gifts this year. to victimize unsuspecting
Parents will want to be especially mind- StatePoint

Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas

Showing now through December 31

Breakfast with Pip - December 10

$10 for adults and $5 for children

LittleCSahllotopdpaeyrsfoVr irlelasegrevawtiilolnbse! open

from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
for children to do their holiday shopping.

Showtimes:
12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m.

Monday - Saturday
and 2nd Sunday in December

Admission:
Members - Free
Adults - $2, Children - $1

Allentown’s Liberty Bell Museum

622 W. Hamilton Street ? Allentown, PA 18101
610-435-4232 ? www.PipTheMouse.org

GiftGive the
of Entertainment

SGEIRFVT ICCEERTEILFEICCATTREISC

Purchase online
Print at home
Give to your family & friends

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