"I wish I could get my life back!"
When most people use that expression, they are usually dreaming about spending more time on enjoying themselves and less on their obligations. For those challenged by dependency, just making room for the basics in life can be quite a task.
What do you think it's like for someone for whom "getting their life back" means restoring their physical health, keeping their job, being a decent parent – and unshackling the grip of the disease of addiction?
Well more than 120,000 people have come to Livengrin over the past forty-five years with that goal in mind.
We're asking for your help to safeguard this mission.
We is able to serve the community and grow as an organization only with the commitment of individuals and families, charitable foundations, businesses (of all sizes), government agencies and faith-based institutions. Those who make an investment in Livengrin can know that we ensure an effective use of each and every dollar of underwriting - be it a contribution for patient programs, an honoring or memorial gift, a provision in a will or estate planning, an in-kind donation of goods or services, or any other support.
Your contribution will be utilized by the Foundation for a vital need we identify - or you can specify something that matters to you (such as scholarships for those needing treatment but lack the resources to afford it, expansion of the family program, purchase of twelve-step "big books" and other essential treatment tools, improvements to residential living, support of alumni activities, etc.).
What does your contribution accomplish?
- A gift of $30 provides two days of hot nutritious meals for a patient in residential treatment
- $75 helps someone manage their life after Livengrin with two outpatient care sessions
- $100 supplies a dozen copies of the twelve-step "Big Book" for patient use
- $300 allows us to repaint a residential room and replace old beds and bureaus
- $400 makes possible a day of residential treatment for a patient who otherwise cannot afford it
- $1,000 helps a patient achieve two crucial days of medical detoxification
Remember, when you make the carefully-considered choice to support this mission, you can be assured of full accountability, as this registered nonprofit is fully licensed and audited regularly.
Your investment brings tangible results – for one person, for your community, for the region we all live in and share. All contributions are individually acknowledged, and requests respected (including anonymity). Donors are kept up-to-date about the organization and the recovery field through our newsletter, emails, and the annual report and other announcements.
Call Scott F. Blacker anytime at 215-638-5200, ext. 207, with any questions or concerns.
Or email Scott at: sblacker@livengrin.org
Livengrin is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The official registration and financial information of Livengrin Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free (within Pennsylvania) 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Tree of Life Fund
Created in 1991 for Livengrin's 25th Anniversary, the Tree of Life Fund is an easy and effective way for the individual to contribute to our mission. While we are serving more people than ever before, it's difficult to recoup the full cost of providing services. Sometimes a person's insurance covers only a portion of his or her treatment; other folks may not have any insurance or resources at all in these difficult times. The Tree of Life Fund supports individuals who want to receive treatment but need financial assistance – particularly those in outpatient care who are putting their life back together through treatment while staying on the job or in school, yet have trouble with co-payments.Supported by individual contributions, the Tree of Life Fund is used to help us provide these vital services to patients who want to work at changing, but aren't able to handle the cost on their own. Your investment toward this charitable care will ensure that every patient has that chance to "get their life back."
Unrestricted Gifts
Some of our alumni and other friends in the community make an investment in Livengrin with the understanding that we will apply it to the most pressing need at the time. An Unrestricted Gift will accomplish just that. (You don't have to "select" an unrestricted gift – contributions that come to us without any designation for a specific purpose fall into this category automatically.)Patient Programs
Designated contributions for Patient Programs are utilized for improving the daily experience of those in residential treatment. Some of the purposes for which your gift will help achieve, as outlined on the previous page, are: copies of essential reading; educational videos about behavior, making good choices and improving family dynamics; replacing old furniture in a detox bedroom; or providing a co-pay to a recently-unemployed person who's halfway through their outpatient treatment.The proceeds from several of our fundraising events, such as the annual Ride for Recovery motorcycle rally, are invested (along with individual gifts) in Patient Programs. By designating your contribution to this area, you'll know that the funds are going directly to the people who need the help. Not that there's anything wrong with an unrestricted gift that helps Livengrin maintain its office equipment or invest in new computer software. However, if you'd prefer to designate a contribution to specifically benefit the patients, you're welcome to do so.
Memorial & Honorary Gift
A memorial honors and preserves the memory of a loved one through your contribution to Livengrin Foundation. Memorials often originate in wills, but they can be made at any time.Some people make memorial gifts, or honor living persons, at special times of the year such as a holiday, birthday or anniversary.
There may be a special person in your life that has personally faced the challenge of, or made a recovery from, alcoholism or substance abuse. A memorial or honorary gift is a significant way for you to express you regard for this person and what they achieved. Honorary gifts are your expression of respect for a family member, a counselor, an employee or leader at a charitable organization, or perhaps someone from a completely different part of life.
Include the name of the individual you wish to honor or remember (and if you wish, a special reason) when you send your contribution.
Matching Gifts
If you or your spouse are employed by a company that matches charitable gifts, you may be able to double the impact of your donation. Consult your company's human resources office for the appropriate form that you send to Livengrin, and we'll handle the rest.Bequests
A bequest or memorial in a will honors you and your family, allowing you to be forever associated with a favorite cause.Bequests provide you with a number of avenues for creating a legacy that defines your personality and commemorates your life. Bequests are gifts made through a will or living trust to provide support for Livengrin Foundation. A bequest in your will or living trust can be modified during your lifetime to change the legacy you will be creating
Charitable bequests typically enjoy unlimited deductions from federal and state inheritance taxes. A properly planned bequest can even result in a larger estate passing to your noncharitable beneficiaries.
If you plan to make a charitable gift in your will, please think it through carefully. Then, meet with your attorney to discuss and update your will. Be as clear as possible in describing what you want given, to whom. Tax laws vary by state, so professional advice on the tax benefits of making a bequest or a memorial may be helpful. Regardless of the tax implications, this form of philanthropy lets you leave a lasting legacy and offers tremendous personal satisfaction.
Here is the language that can be used for a bequest to Livengrin Foundation:
"I, [your name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Livengrin Foundation [the written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose [or] the specific purpose of _______________."
Please let us know when you name Livengrin Foundation in your will, as we certainly want to express our appreciation to you.
By the way, if you prefer to remain anonymous, your gift will be kept completely confidential, in regard to both record-keeping and in the recognition of donor names in reports and public information.
There are several options to consider:
Specific bequest You give a specific dollar amount, or a specific asset from your estate (such as stocks, bonds, real estate, antiques, art, mutual fund shares, etc.).
Residuary bequest This bequest directs that either all or a percentage of your estate's "residue" (what is left after the other terms of your will have been satisfied) be contributed to Livengrin.
Contingent bequest This option designates that Livengrin receives all or some of your estate dependent upon a specific condition. (Example: you might state that Livengrin will receive the residue of your estate only if a particular loved one, such as a spouse, doesn't survive you.)
A charitable bequest to support the mission of Livengrin Foundation can also be specifically designated as Unrestricted (to be used at the discretion of our governing Board of Directors, without conditions); Restricted (allowing you to specify how the funds are to be used, for a special purpose or project), or Endowed (in which the principal of your gift is held permanently and only the investment income is used).
If you have any specific questions about a bequest or memorial, please contact Livengrin at 215-638-5200, ext. 146.