This program continues to provide a small, steady revenue for KI. Please remember to visit Amazon by going through
the KI site by using the Amazon link on this page: Amazon Orders. Even easier:
Use this link to visit
Amazon now, then bookmark the Amazon page you arrive at and use that KI-Amazon bookmark for all future visits.
By doing this you will ensure that KI will get credit for all of your purchases. Here's how to tell if KI will get
credit for your shopping session: Look at the browser address bar. You will see the web address for Amazon beginning
with "http://www.amazon.com." Look to the right of this address; you should see this text:
"&tag=kehillatisrae-20" embedded in a lot of other text. If you see the KI tag, then you can shop
with the knowledge that KI will get a commission on your order.
Memorial Tree Leaf Available For You
The High Holidays are often considered a time for making charitable donations. Additionally, there is
a custom of giving charity at the time of saying yizkor in memory of relatives or friends who have
passed away. So, this is a good time to be thinking about making a donation to KI for a leaf on the Memorial
Tree to memorialize someone who was important to you. To order a leaf, contact Lori in the KI office or
use this copy of the application form.
Bequests to KI
Have you remembered KI in your will? A bequest to KI will help ensure that our programs and
services will continue to benefit the next generation. If you already have a will. it is easy
and not very expensive to add a codicil (addition) to your will, giving a percentage of your estate
(1% to 5%, for example) to KI in the event of your death. Furthermore, a charitable bequest, like one
to KI, is always exempt from Federal Estate Taxation. If you don't have a will and trust, you
should have one—so says Suze Orman and hosts of others! Ask your friends for a recommendation
of an attorney who can help you prepare a will and trust.
Kroger Fundraiser—Buy Food and Help KI
The Kroger Community Rewards Program fundraiser opportunity continues. Once you sign up, KI receives a percentage of
every dollar you spend for groceries and other items. Kroger requires that all participants in the Kroger fundraiser use
the "Kroger Plus Card," the card used to get sale prices. You can get the card at any Kroger store. You'll need this card to
register for the Community Rewards Program online and Kroger will require that you re-register every April. When you have
your card, go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com,
click on "Michigan" and then click on "Enroll." Our organization number is 82490. Complete the required information and then
choose “Save Changes.” After you've signed up, you simply use your Kroger Plus Card when you make your purchases;
you will get the Kroger sale prices and earn money for KI. You will know KI is earning money when you see "Congregation
Kehillat Israel" printed at the bottom of every receipt. If you have any problems, please contact Beverly Wiener.
Fundraising Opportunity Through iGive
Leon says:
I'm not trying to support consumerism but here is a way for KI to earn money when you purchase merchandise online. KI has an account set up with iGive.com, a portal for many of the merchants you might already buy from such as Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Land's End and PETsMART. iGive even includes deals with travel sites you might use, such as hotels, car rentals, Travelocity, etc. Your iGive membership is free. Whenever you purchase something from one of the merchants on the site, KI gets a percentage of your purchase (amounts differ for each merchant). There is also a current deal that if you simply try out the iGive button in your browser, KI will receive $5, and in addition, KI will receive $5 for your first purchase.
This program is similar to our Amazon.com program but involves many additional merchants (Amazon is not a merchant on iGive so please still use that link on our website for purchases from Amazon and Amazon Marketplace merchants). [Amazon's commissions appear to be higher than iGive's so try Amazon first—Webmaster.] Interestingly, the site says that the money that KI receives from your purchases is tax deductible for you because it is a donation (since you could elect to receive the rebate yourself).
To sign up, click the logo below. This registers you with KI as the donor when you enter your email address. To shop at an iGive store, either install the iGive browser button mentioned above or log into the iGive site and navigate to your shopping destination of choice. The only drawback I experienced is that the site sends you occasional emails highlighting their special deals. However, these emails come less than once a week and I just delete them.
So, although I still don't like gimmicks, it is foolish for us not to take advantage of what is out there since it can help us support important programs at KI by doing nothing more than we would regularly do. If you have any questions or any problems signing up, let me know and I will try to help.
