How Caring Can Be The BEST Shopping!

Music and the Holidays were inseparable long before we had the ability to record music. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas’ remains the biggest-selling single ever, at over 50 million copies sold. Part of the Beatles’ marketing (and magic) was always having an album out just before Christmas, so Mom and Dad’s shopping was made easier. (The fact that some of us are on their tenth copy of those albums, thanks to remastering and endless new formats, is a separate topic.)

Music will always be a perfect gift, because of its universality, and also how incredibly individual it can be. One way of showing someone else that you truly ‘Got them’ was by giving them music that would really resonate with them. (If one felt exceptionally daring during the courting phase, a ‘mixtape’ or CD could be concocted.) A gift card was practically an admission of ‘I don’t have the energy to Really get to know ya, so I settled for this.’ Giving and caring, just like music, is just as personal. What matters to you is as good as a mirror into who you Really are. And conversely, it’s a profound window into the people you care about. So, what to do as far as gifting for the Holidays?

Back in 1984, Bob Geldof brought the two ideas together. While watching news coverage of the famine in Ethiopia, he and friend Midge Ure felt moved to compose ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ George Harrison had felt similarly inspired to do the same thing with his 1971 concert for Bangladesh’, but Geldof and team arguably upped the all-star quotient. And managed to gather all that talent in the same London recording studio (Not without a few complications, though. On the day of recording, he found everyone in ensemble ready to go...except Boy George, who he tracked down by phone in New York. “Oh, was it Today?’ was George’s groggy answer. One four-hour flight later, and Band-Aid was done, both recording and, the newest rage, in video.)

Other musicians felt inspired, most notably the American ‘We Are the World’, and Canada’s own “Tears Are Not Enough’. ‘Band-Aid’ was remarkable not just in its ambition, and the speed in getting the single released before the holidays. The spirit of the project itself seemed to

perform a bit of a communal ‘reset’ on the spirit of Christmas. Based on the eventual worldwide sales of over eleven million copies, it succeeded.

While 2022 may feel like it could provoke the Scrooge in most of us, some of the biggest holiday songs came in pretty dark times. “White Christmas’ went to Number One while Hitler was winning World War Two. John Lennon’s ‘Happy Xmas’ was released after a period of violent U.S. riots and with the Vietnam War still raging.

Since what we care about most is just as personal as a special song...why not give your special people the gift of them being able to give? There are an infinite number of charitable possibilities that could solve your gift-shopping headaches this season. And, yes, there are

even gift cards specifically designed for just that. (In this instance, just knowing that the recipient cares about Caring is the biggest part of the present.)

However, you celebrate the Holidays, it’s a time when we make a ritual out of thinking about each other, through the coldest days and the darkest nights of the year. Giving, in whatever form you choose, can be a most joyful way of disagreeing with the gloom. Link Charity has

been helping people help other people for over forty winters. Get in touch today to find the cause that speaks to you (and those you care about), just like a favourite song.

And a Merry Jingle, Eh?

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Unveiling the Benefits of Being a Link Charity Canada Member

By Rob Ennema • 03 May, 2024

If you're considering becoming a part of Link Charity Canada , you're in for an array of exclusive advantages that can elevate your philanthropic journey. Let's delve into the wealth of benefits awaiting you as a distinguished member: 1. Expert Guidance and Support Access dedicated expert advice on planned giving and estate planning for you, your donors, and your staff. Benefit from low to no-cost marketing tools to effortlessly promote planned giving within your organization. 2. Empowerment Through Participation Secure a voice in decisions and plans for Link Charity through a representative vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with potential Board membership opportunities. 3. Financial Returns Enjoy higher than average returns on investments for your donors, ensuring a rewarding giving experience. 4. Reimbursement Plan Explore the referral reimbursement plan that could potentially cover your entire annual dues, making your membership even more financially appealing. 5. Comprehensive Services Benefit from a spectrum of services including quality marketing resources to simplify gift planning promotion. Attend enlightening seminars and workshops for donors focusing on gift planning and estate needs. Engage in face-to-face meetings offering personalized and confidential answers to gift planning concerns. Train select staff and volunteers in essential areas of gift planning, enhancing organizational expertise. Experience expanded networking opportunities through coordinated events and promotions of gift planning initiatives. 6. Innovative Donation Solutions Easily donate stocks and mutual funds through Link Charity, saving significantly on brokerage fees. Opt for Gift Annuities to support multiple charities under one annuity, streamlining your giving process. Leverage Link Charity's estate planning expertise to potentially save on fees and taxes. 7. Tailored Giving Enjoy the freedom to be anonymous and selective in your causes under Link Charity's guidance. Establish a Family Foundation through the Donor Advised Funds program without the complexities of creating your own. Save substantial amounts on taxes by strategizing your estate gift plan with Link Charity's consultants. 8. Confidentiality Assurance Rest assured that all interactions and work done with Link Charity are handled with the utmost confidentiality, prioritizing your privacy and trust. By embarking on this membership journey with Link Charity Canada, you not only gain access to a treasure trove of benefits but also contribute meaningfully to impactful charitable endeavors. Join hands with Link Charity today and unlock a world of giving possibilities! For more information and to explore membership opportunities, contact us today!

Food For Thought

By Erin M • 20 Jun, 2023

Since 1998, Link Charity Canada has provided the service, tools, education, and guidance that individuals and charities need when it comes to gift giving. We work with many great charities that are in the business of not only helping Canadians, but people all over the world. Check out Link Charity’s members list to learn more.