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Campaign asks people to donate tax rebates

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By JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Feb 28, 2008 - 12:40:38 am CST

When federal tax rebate checks begin arriving this spring, a shopping spree won’t be on Penny Siefker’s to-do list.

And she’s hoping it won’t make yours either.

Siefker and friends Nathan and LauraLee Woodruff of Lincoln have launched a campaign asking Lincolnites to consider donating some or all of their rebate money to local organizations they believe help sustain the community — rather than indulging in some retail therapy.  

Story Photo

The three are behind www.notshopping.org. The Web site launched this week with the message that a national shopping spree using money the government borrows will not remedy the failing economy.

A lunch conversation about the tax rebate sparked the idea, said Siefker, who said she’s worked with several nonprofit groups over the years.

The government is borrowing money from China and people probably will end up spending the money on items made there, she said.

The campaign is an effort to ensure the money is put to good use here in Lincoln, she said.

“It just seemed like we all agreed this would be a very positive thing,” she said.

The Web site includes a list of organizations in need, which Siefker said she hopes to expand. As word about the campaign spreads, she’s hoping needy groups will make contact through the Web site.

On the list is Voices of Hope, which works with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and incest and works to raise awareness about such crimes.

Executive Director Marcee Metzger said she was happy to hear about such a campaign, particularly as cuts to federal programs are imposed and donations slow.

Metzger said she is optimistic the idea will take hold, especially because the group has seen some extra donations in past rebate years.

“Lincoln is a very caring community,” she said. “It’s concerned about the quality of life for all of the people here.”

Siefker, meanwhile, said campaign organizers have no plans to keep tabs on donations. But, she has a good idea of what would be a fair measure of a successful campaign.

“If it does nothing more than get people to think about what they could do with their money, that will be success,” Siefker said.

Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.


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Doug wrote on February 28, 2008 6:56 am:
" A permanent tax cut would have made more sense than these stupid rebates. The best analogy so far I've heard is "It's like taking a bucket of water from the deep end of the pool and pouring it back in at the shallow end." The economy has natural cycles of ebb and flow. If you truly want to put more money into the economy, lower the marginal tax rates. "

 Great idea wrote on February 28, 2008 7:08 am:
" I wish it much success. Amazing when you read the sidebar on the www.notshopping.org website. Thank you GW! "

 Poor man wrote on February 28, 2008 7:53 am:
" I for one am not a needy organization but a needy individual. Unfortunately my rebate check will not go for my pleasure but to my bills. It's gone already. My check will not go for shopping at the mall or at a sports store. So sorry economic stimulus. I will only stimulate the bill collector. "

 Adam wrote on February 28, 2008 8:25 am:
" Too bad it's just an advance on next year's tax refund. It will all be going back in a year. "

 drained wrote on February 28, 2008 8:28 am:
" Most of us need every cent of this "economic stimulas" to overcome the pass thru extra fees and taxes our city council, county board and public service commission automatically hand to our check books. Electric rate, gas rate, new jail, proposed new entertainment center, cable TV rates, etc are just plain passed to us without regard to the fact our cost of living salaries do not increase at comparable or even any increase. Charity is wonderful but today the average Lincoln citizen needs that charity kept in their own home. "

 SG wrote on February 28, 2008 8:41 am:
" It sounds like a good idea, but I don't think I'll be going on a shopping spree....just try to catch-up on gas & electric...hopefully there will be enough left to get some tires, at least on the front....although maybe I'll just go crazy, throw caution to the wind and load up the freezer, you know the one that comes with the fridge - not a stand alone "

 Dee wrote on February 28, 2008 9:00 am:
" Voices of Hope is an awesome organization and while there are other worthy causes out there they get my #1 vote "

 backwards wrote on February 28, 2008 9:08 am:
" Another fine example of "my agenda, your money".
"My goals, your resources."
Give until it hurts, you . . not me. "

 No Way wrote on February 28, 2008 9:08 am:
" I'll be paying down debit "

 Sean1 wrote on February 28, 2008 9:18 am:
" What's that old saying? "Charity begins at home?" "

 kykp wrote on February 28, 2008 9:22 am:
" As Adam stated we are just going to feel the pinch that much harder next year. When you do your taxes next year and realize you are recieving $300 from your fed return to pay off the loan from China tell me how much this stimulus package stimulates you. Just one last chance for George W to mess everything up and try to blame the dems next year while their in office. "

 Ebineezer wrote on February 28, 2008 9:23 am:
" I'm glad some people can give it away. I can use it myself thank you. Ms. Seikfer has a good idea when you can afford the well to do ideas. If I even got 1200 dollars back it would not offset what I just sent to the government. Oh yeah, I have a small business and made 7000 dollars after writeoffs. I don't know how they can send back this money though . Most of the money we send to the government ends up in Iraq , either to the country, our military, or Halliburton. "

 Thanks uncle sam wrote on February 28, 2008 9:46 am:
" Although there are a plethera of needy organizations that depend on donations, I will be spending my check in Bora Bora.

Thank You! "

 Dano wrote on February 28, 2008 9:56 am:
" While it is a grand idea. But like moany posts, I am finding it harder and harder to give money to charities. I still do, but it is much harder to part with what I have earned, for fear of the ever coming future. Lets' face it folks, it all starts at the grass roots. we all need to become more financially resolved, more than ever before.

I know that my refund will be going towards some form of savings for my kids future education or faimly needs. As much as i would love to go wild and spend it on some luxury. I can't justify that reasoning based on the how the economy looks. This stimulus package is really only a stimulus package for the China, the oil producers, OPEC, and the third world industries.

The only way it benefits Americans 100%, is if it is spent on American products. But as we all know, that is nearly impossible anymore. Thanks GW and Washington, dig the hole deeper and deeper, so that we can never get out. OH wait, I forgot we are already there. "

 Gimme Money wrote on February 28, 2008 10:06 am:
" You've got to be kidding me. Why don't people just stop begging for money and do something to help themselves. Disgusting. "

 d wrote on February 28, 2008 10:16 am:
" I wish I ::could:: donate my rebate, but like others have posted, I'll be using it to catch up on medical and utility bills. I wish I had the integrity to refuse an obvious buy-off attempt from Bu$hco (who got us into this economic mess in the first place), but reality rears its ugly head. "

 lin wrote on February 28, 2008 10:40 am:
" You can't be serious! I prefer to donate blood at the Community Blook Bank. When I do (haveing donated 7 gal. to date) I know for a fact that I am really helping. Give away money that I need to buy gas with, NO WAY! "

 El wrote on February 28, 2008 10:53 am:
" Great idea but if my husband and I get the $1200 married people are supposed to get then I'll be putting that money in a savings account to earn interest until I have to send it back next year when we file our taxes. Since our refund is usually less than $200, we'll owe the government $1000+ of that rebate check back. I can only assume that Bush thinks or hopes most people are too dumb to sit down to do the math on this early refund of next year's taxes if he truly believes people will rush out and spend heedlessly until the money is spent. Of course, some people will do the math and spend heedlessly anyway then complain next year that their refunds aren't as big as they should be.... "

 Scott wrote on February 28, 2008 11:27 am:
" This is a good idea in theory, but I think these people have a very strong ETHICAL OBLIGATION to let people know that this isn't extra free money the government is sending back to spend. This is figured in to people's tax bill for next year and will affect peoples 2008 tax refund. Many people need this money to pay medical bills and other things, and probably the majority of people do not know this isn't free money to just spend. If you're going to run a campaign like this you need to be honest and upfront with people. "

 new to Lincoln wrote on February 28, 2008 11:31 am:
" If you can afford to donate your tax rebate then you don't need to receive one in the first place, put it back in the kitty and divide it up with the people that need it. "

 whatever wrote on February 28, 2008 11:57 am:
" OK people where is it written this is an advance on next years taxes, please post the link that states this is so. "

 Gene Hogan wrote on February 28, 2008 12:18 pm:
" The stimulus payment will not reduce your refund or affect your 2008 taxes like the 2001 rebate did. It's a rebate on your 2007 taxes. It's on the Irs.gov web page. "

 T4acres wrote on February 28, 2008 12:24 pm:
" El and Scott who posted above are seriously misinformed. As found on www.irs.treas.gov, "the stimulus payment will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return."

However, hold on to your wallet when a new President and a new Congress are sworn in and it becomes apparent that a massive tax INCREASE is necessary to pay the bills run up during the last eight years. If not, the dollar will weaken still further and significant inflation will surely follow. Times are tough and are going to get a lot tougher - so does it really make sense to launch an unnecessary arena project that surely will drown in debt?
"

 jenn wrote on February 28, 2008 12:43 pm:
" My rebate is going to pay my vehicle registration. There won't be any more left after that.(I do not own a new car) Thanks Nebraska! "

 Soylent Green wrote on February 28, 2008 2:40 pm:
" Jeeze, now I'm starting to feel real bad about my plans to buy that giant sceen plazma TV... "

 BYOB wrote on February 28, 2008 10:46 pm:
" Oh brother, I can't believe this, this is like asking a starving person to give up their last and only can of soup.
Some people who live in ivory towers havs no shame at all. The president didn't allot this money so it could be donated, think about that a minute, this is to me just another scam to make you feel giulty and get off your money. "

 TJ wrote on February 29, 2008 10:50 am:
" The article tends to make one feel guilted into donating.....I think Siefker and friends Nathan and LauraLee Woodruff, need to realize a few things - 1. this is not a sweeping refund, it is cut off after a certain income level is hit, so the vast majority of the people getting this back need it & dont want to feel guilted to dontate. 2. again considering the income levels, someone should not feel bad about spending it on something like a plasma tv....not many opportunites pop up for these families to spend money on luxury items, when it does that can make someone feel good that they can have those items - there is nothing wrong with that. When someone works all day to pay bills and support a family, alittle bit of feeling good is never a bad thing. "

 Mine is going... wrote on February 29, 2008 10:50 am:
" My tax rebate will be going straight into my ROTH IRA!! Turn that $600 into something bigger later down the line!
"

 Something to consider wrote on February 29, 2008 3:30 pm:
" Like many others, I will be using the extra cash to catch up on debt I accrued in college. Although I may not always be able to give money to charity, I AM able to give something more valuable-my time. There are several local charities who could use a few hours of your time and talant and the rewards from donating yourself are much greater than writing a check, not to take away from donating.

Please consider volunteering!
"

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