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Prizes drawn at the picnic on August 14. You need not be present to win. Make your donation using the button below, or download a form to mail in here.

You can also use the donate button to make a general donation to SAGE Upstate
Or download a  form to
mail in here 
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Thank you for supporting programs for older LGBTQ people during these uncertain times. You can be assured that community contributions have reduced isolation and improved health for many. And, by sustaining the work and making it more visible, donors have shown that SAGE is a viable organization with staying power.
 
Viability is important. People who have not participated but may benefit from our programs may ask, if I make a commitment to participate, will these programs be here for me going forward? Grantmakers may wonder, if we fund this initiative, will it be fully implemented and will the change be sustained? With the community behind us -- with you behind us -- needed programs and enriching activities will make change that reverberates in our community for years to come.
 
Even without in-person meetings, new people have found their way to SAGE this year. And grant support from SAGE USA and the Onondaga County Department of Adult and Long Term Services will make it possible for SAGE to do more. The SAGEVets program is reaching LGBTQ veterans across Upstate New York. And, we've hired a Neighborhood Advisor who will support older LGBTQ adults in healthy aging, allowing people to remain independent and active.
 
Your donations will help us identify new and engaging ways to support older LGBTQ people in building support networks and learning about health issues. Please consider a contribution to SAGE Upstate. There are a number of ways to give outlined in this issue, and there's a donation form on the back.  Thank you on behalf of all the lives your contribution will touch.

Feedback from the Falls Prevention Class
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I joined Falls Prevention at the start of the pandemic. Thank goodness for this SAGE class! I’m stronger, my balance has improved, and as a bonus: I feel  more positive and less isolated. Barb Genton is a gifted teacher and she creates a sense of supportive community .

--  Arlene Ahl

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The Falls Prevention class used to meet at the center, but now we Zoom. We do different exercises -- aerobic, strength, dance, balance, yoga  -- standing and sitting. I have seen changes in my abilities -- I can get up out of soft couches and chairs  better.  If I fall - and it does happen - I can get up on my own.

-- Claudia Gebhardt

Second Sunday
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 I have been going to the Second Sunday Social for years.  I really looked forward to it.  It was an opportunity to visit with folks I only saw there.  Now that the social is virtual, I still log on. The "entertainment" is always excellent. I look forward to the "Table Hopping" every time.  It is a wonderful way to meet someone you didn't know before and to catch up with those you only see at the Sage Social. -- Carol Notar

More feedback

 "I have become more accepting of myself and the journey I have been on since a teen ."
 

"SAGE is the only place I can meet with other trans people. That is vital to me."


"I have led a more active social life for years now, having connected with trusted friends through SAGE."

Qualified Charitable Distributions

Normally, a distribution from a traditional IRA incurs taxes since the account holder did not pay taxes on the money when they put it into the IRA. But account holders aged 70½ or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI).

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Internal Revenue Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements

To avoid paying taxes on the donation, the donor must follow the IRS rules for qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)—aka, charitable IRA rollovers. Most churches, nonprofit charities, educational organizations, nonprofit hospitals, and medical research organizations are qualified 501(c)3 organizations. The charity will also not pay taxes on the donation.

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Source: Internal Revenue Service: Publication 526: Charitable Contributions

Steps to follow:

  1. Contact your IRA provider

  2. Must be 70 ½ and older

  3. Applies to Traditional IRAs

  4. The maximum amount cannot exceed $100,000 per tax year from an individual IRA.

  5. Distributions must be made payable to a qualifying charity, such as Sage Upstate

  6. The transfer must be made by December 31st to count against the year’s RMD requirement.

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