The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSo I just got a call from my local volunteer fire department....
I won the 50/50 raffle! $590.00! I told them to keep it, but send me the acknowledgement for this year's taxes.
Made me feel good. Happy 4th everyone!

Think. Again.
(21,382 posts)
ret5hd
(21,320 posts)Yesterday afternoon you would have thought the entire town suddenly caught fire
sirens blaring near and far. I walked outside, looking to the sky expecting to see multiple plumes of smoke. I could hear a particular siren that sounded like it was on our street so i walked to the curb.
A fire truck with full lights and sirens was slowly crawling down the street. I waited
when he pulled even with me i asked what was going on.
Collecting donations for tomorrows fireworks display.
oh.
2naSalit
(95,081 posts)Our only "city", there is one of several rodeos going on and they always have one during this holiday, with fireworks every night until they go away.
What gets me is that there are a lot of horses and other animals there. But then, I do see a lot of horse trailers heading out earlier so maybe they get them away from there before all the fire and noise. I am not a fan of fireworks.
DENVERPOPS
(10,683 posts)As a retired former professional Firefighter/EMT we rolled on countless Residential Fires and Injured during the July1-6 season, all caused by fireworks. Even though they are all illegal around here, except for professional displays, they continue going off all over the metro area.
And I pity the people who have pets that are terrified out of their minds by the fireworks going off.
soldierant
(8,165 posts)idiots. And it seems that the two go together far too much. I don't mind giving up the fireworks to be spared the idiots.
MLAA
(18,858 posts)The thrill of winning and the joy of helping the fire department!
OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)I wish I had played Mega-Bucks when I bought a $50.00 book of raffles....
MLAA
(18,858 posts)Fingers crossed!
OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)10% gratuity if you win? Off my Karma?
MLAA
(18,858 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)First, you bought the luckiest tickets, right? Then synchronicity happens. PM me my winnings.
MLAA
(18,858 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)Will have the crew from Dick Stacey's Country Jamboree greet you! Google DSCJ for more info.
MLAA
(18,858 posts)2naSalit
(95,081 posts)Donating is usually a good deed with a good feeling.
Happy 4th to you, Skippa and the rest of yer kin!
OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)FD could have a clean source for pumping water. .At least 2, possibly 3 new

LuckyCharms
(19,508 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)Pretty easy actually. Never had it in my hands. The convo was like 90 seconds. "Wow, Cool I won. How much? $590,00! Cool." The split sucked < $600 for each. Happy to flip to these community volunteers....amazing bunch of guys.
essaynnc
(883 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)
AllaN01Bear
(23,829 posts)
aggiesal
(9,734 posts)kept $90 and gone out for a nice steak dinner.
Congrats and I appreciate your generosity.
surfered
(4,781 posts)I currently live in a small community that has a volunteer fire dept, but weve reached the point that we need a professional one.
OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)Funny thing is, the latest improvements...our 2 car garage with overhead big pool room burned first.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,949 posts)If you got no money, you pay no taxes, and there's no deduction. What am I missing?
(no CPA, here)
COL Mustard
(7,175 posts)As a deduction, thus the need for a receipt.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,949 posts)... then it makes sense to claim the $590 as a charitable contribution. Which is useful if your deductions exceed the standard deduction amount.
I'm an old fart (over 70.5 years) so I do all my charitable donations via "Qualified Charitable Distributions" from my IRA. It takes the money off the top, reducing the AGI, so no need to hit the standard deduction target.
OAITW r.2.0
(29,320 posts)
highplainsdem
(53,770 posts)jaxexpat
(7,794 posts)A few minutes later. Editing to add a thing. That was my first reaction. I was feeling good for the wise generosity of my side. Then, as I continued reading the responses, which grew into a short discussion, thinking this is how such a conversation would be expected to go on a July 4th afternoon. Tax talk.
But here's where I feel the need to speak clearly, yet with no malice meant to any individual. How is it okay that a conversation about generous charitable donation becomes a discussion, in any way, about tax advantages? If this is a slice of Americana on its anniversary, the envy of the world etc., it is a tell. It says we may just reek, in our DNA, of base materialism to such an extent that many, maybe the best, people around the world turn away in embarrassment for our species and, perhaps, we should fear that we may yet deserve what we get.
I wish all you, my friends, a well met 4th of July evening.
a kennedy
(32,725 posts)