It’s almost a cliché to call the end of the year “the season of giving.” There’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holidays in December, and of course Thanksgiving has “giving” right in its name.

Everyone is thinking about giving at the end of the year — giving wrapped presents, good cheer, and donations.

Gifts to us here at Centrica Care Navigators support everything we do in our community, from our expert end-of-life care to our adult day services, grief support programs, and more.

At Centrica Care Navigators, we have many ways to give to us, because there are many ways that people want to give. In most situations, your gift is tax-deductible because we are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

1. In memory of

After a patient in our care dies, many families want to say thank you to our team for their attention and everything they did to help the family’s loved one in their last days, weeks, and months. Many send beautiful cards with a heartfelt message. Friends of the person who died, and sometimes the family themselves, often give to us in appreciation for the service they received, to help us pass along the same care and concern to the next family in need. People donate online but a significant number give by writing checks.

2. Friends campaign

It’s common for donors to give to the same organizations year after year (I know I do). We call those people “Friends,” and we contact them every year. They like hearing from us, and a letter from Centrica Care Navigators can help them remember that they wanted to make a contribution — people say they fully expect to give, but they just need a reminder in their busy lives.

3. Our special events

Hopefully you have seen some of the photos from our special events this summer: Golf ‘Fore’ Hospice, the Butterfly Release at Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek, and the Duck Derby Raffle, full of prizes for participants. This year we were fortunate to have a fourth event, the southwest Michigan presentation of the play Tuesdays with Morrie.

Donors give to these events for a chance to take part — to play golf as one of our foursomes, or to release a butterfly in memory of someone they have lost, for example. We had an excellent turnout for the opening night performance of Tuesdays with Morrie (and the rest of the performances that weekend). Please keep checking our website  and save the dates for our special events in 2023.

4. Sponsorships

In addition to the contributions from everyone who wants to join us to play golf, to release a butterfly, or to take a chance on winning a big prize, we also look for local businesses to sponsor our events. All kinds of companies in our community have been sponsors; we recognize them at our events and afterward online and in our newsletter.

5. Special occasions

As the saying goes, “What do you get the person who has everything?” Maybe the answer is that you give something on their behalf, like a donation  to Centrica Care Navigators in their name. We’ll send a personalized thank you card in acknowledgement of this generous gift. You don’t have to wait for the Christmas holiday to give, either; birthdays and anniversaries, for example, are special times for many people.

6. Matching gifts

Many employers will match employees’ charitable donations, including giving to Centrica Care Navigators. Contact your company’s human resources department for more information.

7. Planned gifts

Gifts to Centrica Care Navigators that benefit beyond one’s lifetime are possible through wills, trusts, life insurance, and other planned giving programs. It’s vital for everyone to have a plan in place to make sure their loved ones, from spouses to children to pets, are cared for after their deaths. Talk with an attorney about creating or updating your will or trust to include a gift to Centrica Care Navigators.

If you’re looking at your will, make sure you think about planning your advance directives, too. Though you wouldn’t include a donation as part of your advance directives, it’s still important to let those close to you know who you’re naming to make decisions on your behalf if you are incapable of deciding for yourself, like when you are in a coma.

8. Amazon Smile

If you shop online using Amazon, make sure you do it through Amazon Smile by going to smile.amazon.com. By using that link, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to an organization of your choice. You can set Centrica Care Navigators as your charity in your Amazon account. 

9. Minted.com

Minted is a website for greeting cards, art, towels, and other home goods. This time of year, they have a variety of holiday-themed gifts available, but you can buy from Minted.com all year round. If you do, use our promo code FUNDRAISECENTRICA to give 15% back to our program – and enjoy 20% off your Minted order.

10. Time

You don’t have to grab a credit card to give this gift. We’re always looking for volunteers to help with our special programs like Story Catcher and Journeys. A donation of time is welcome; if you don’t have the ability to give money (and even if you do), we can use your time and talents to help our families, during the holidays and throughout the year.

It can be a little overwhelming, wanting to give to people who help your community, but not really knowing how. If you have any questions on making a gift to Centrica Care Navigators, please contact us at 269.345.0273.