I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.

What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?

Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.

But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.

Thanks and Merry Christmas
John DeRosa (OHM)

I didn't know the SSA was an option. If my wife doesn't already have a charity selected I'll set up her account. At 6% of the purchases she should be able to support the National team at the next world contest.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 4:33:41 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> I didn't know the SSA was an option. If my wife doesn't already have a charity selected I'll set up her account. At 6% of the purchases she should be able to support the National team at the next world contest.

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to your designated charity, not 6%. In my case I have designated my local soaring club, they need the money even more than SSA.

I got the same notice, it was $123.49 for the last quarter and $2025.23
total. Seemed like pathetic numbers.




On 12/18/19 2:07 PM, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>
> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>
> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>
> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>
> Thanks and Merry Christmas
> John DeRosa (OHM)
>

Family (was also director, another is a HoF and other things....I believe we are all SSA life members) told me about "smile.Amazon..." with SSA as a recipient a few years ago.
I now use that.....

I think the listed total is about $0.5 low.....but still low and total over lifetime....

Yes, Amazon allows using "smile.Amazon

First I heard about this program; sounds like a great idea and thanks for bringing it up.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 8:06:45 PM UTC-5, Duster wrote:
> First I heard about this program; sounds like a great idea and thanks for bringing it up.

That program has been going on for a number of years by now. I am surprised that the SSA doesn't lobby their members to sign up for this FREE source of income. I don't buy much on Amazon but still generated some $$ for them. Get your family members to sign up, too.

Uli
'AS'

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 2:07:20 PM UTC-7, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>
> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>
> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>
> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>
> Thanks and Merry Christmas
> John DeRosa (OHM)

I don't purchase from Amazon that often, but I'll try and remember to use the link when I do. Thanks.

Sorry folks, my understanding of what I read from my Amazon Smile email was flawed.

I thought that the $123.49 was MY SOLE CONTRIBUTION. I see now that this was just this quarter's contributions from ALL subscribers. Mea culpa. I am embarrassed to say that my total contribution seems to have been three cents ($0.03). As Kurt Russell said in "Tombstone", "I didn't even make a dent...".

But what does the $2025.23 represent? The lifetime amount of monies donated by Amazon to the SSA since the inception of the program? I'll have to work harder. Does Amazon sell ASW-29's?

Anyway, a good "free" program that we should all use no matter what charity you choose.

- John DeRosa (OHM)

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 4:07:20 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>
> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>
> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>
> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>
> Thanks and Merry Christmas
> John DeRosa (OHM)

There are many worthy causes that you can support through Amazon smile, Franconia Soaring Foundation for example. FSF recently purchased the Franconia Airport and is in need of donations to help pay loans and improve airport infrastructure.

On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 8:13:38 AM UTC-5, PGS wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 4:07:20 PM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
> >
> > What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
> >
> > Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
> >
> > But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
> >
> > Thanks and Merry Christmas
> > John DeRosa (OHM)
>
> There are many worthy causes that you can support through Amazon smile, Franconia Soaring Foundation for example. FSF recently purchased the Franconia Airport and is in need of donations to help pay loans and improve airport infrastructure.

All donations count, whatever the source or amount. And Amazone Smile is easy.

Sugarbush Soaring's Flight Experience for Youth (FEFY) gets my smile.amazon.com donation.


https://sugarbushsoaring.com/youth-programs/flight-experience-for-youth


FEFY spent ~$48,000 on youth soaring in 2019

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>
> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>
> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>
> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>
> Thanks and Merry Christmas
> John DeRosa (OHM)

I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.

Tom

On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
> >
> > What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
> >
> > Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
> >
> > But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
> >
> > Thanks and Merry Christmas
> > John DeRosa (OHM)
>
> I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
>
> Tom

....and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.

Tom

On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:54:58 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> > On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > > I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
> > >
> > > What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
> > >
> > > Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
> > >
> > > But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
> > >
> > > Thanks and Merry Christmas
> > > John DeRosa (OHM)
> >
> > I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
> >
> > Tom
>
> ...and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.
>
> Tom

This is very "tax efficient" as it donates money no tax has ever been paid on.
Go to the following link. https://www.ssa.org/Giving?show=blog&id=5713
There is a link at the bottom of the page for a form you can use.

Again, thanks very much for your generosity and support.

John Godfrey
Chair, SSA Foundation
Chair, SSA Fundraising and Development Committee

On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:21:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:54:58 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
> > On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> > > On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > > > I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
> > > >
> > > > What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
> > > >
> > > > Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
> > > >
> > > > But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks and Merry Christmas
> > > > John DeRosa (OHM)
> > >
> > > I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
> > >
> > > Tom
> >
> > ...and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.
> >
> > Tom
> This is very "tax efficient" as it donates money no tax has ever been paid on.
> Go to the following link. https://www.ssa.org/Giving?show=blog&id=5713
> There is a link at the bottom of the page for a form you can use.
>
> Again, thanks very much for your generosity and support.
>
> John Godfrey
> Chair, SSA Foundation
> Chair, SSA Fundraising and Development Committee



Is the SSA still listed with Amazon charities this year? I'm getting prompted from Amazon to choose a charity, but when I search for the SSA, Soaring Society of America, Young Eagles, Soaring, none of them come up with the result I'm looking for--the SSA. Am I missing something?

On 1/11/21 4:35 PM, John Foster wrote:
> On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:21:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
>> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:54:58 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
>>> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
>>>> On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
>>>>> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>>>>>
>>>>> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>>>>>
>>>>> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>>>>>
>>>>> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks and Merry Christmas
>>>>> John DeRosa (OHM)
>>>>
>>>> I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
>>>>
>>>> Tom
>>>
>>> ...and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.
>>>
>>> Tom
>> This is very "tax efficient" as it donates money no tax has ever been paid on.
>> Go to the following link. https://www.ssa.org/Giving?show=blog&id=5713
>> There is a link at the bottom of the page for a form you can use.
>>
>> Again, thanks very much for your generosity and support.
>>
>> John Godfrey
>> Chair, SSA Foundation
>> Chair, SSA Fundraising and Development Committee
>
>
>
> Is the SSA still listed with Amazon charities this year? I'm getting prompted from Amazon to choose a charity, but when I search for the SSA, Soaring Society of America, Young Eagles, Soaring, none of them come up with the result I'm looking for--the SSA. Am I missing something?
>

Searching for "soaring society of america" brings up "soaring society of
america inc" and "soaring society of america foundation" for me.

On Monday, January 11, 2021 at 5:24:40 PM UTC-7, kinsell wrote:
> On 1/11/21 4:35 PM, John Foster wrote:
> > On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:21:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> >> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:54:58 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
> >>> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> >>>> On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> >>>>> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thanks and Merry Christmas
> >>>>> John DeRosa (OHM)
> >>>>
> >>>> I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
> >>>>
> >>>> Tom
> >>>
> >>> ...and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.
> >>>
> >>> Tom
> >> This is very "tax efficient" as it donates money no tax has ever been paid on.
> >> Go to the following link. https://www.ssa.org/Giving?show=blog&id=5713
> >> There is a link at the bottom of the page for a form you can use.
> >>
> >> Again, thanks very much for your generosity and support.
> >>
> >> John Godfrey
> >> Chair, SSA Foundation
> >> Chair, SSA Fundraising and Development Committee
> >
> >
> >
> > Is the SSA still listed with Amazon charities this year? I'm getting prompted from Amazon to choose a charity, but when I search for the SSA, Soaring Society of America, Young Eagles, Soaring, none of them come up with the result I'm looking for--the SSA. Am I missing something?
> >
> Searching for "soaring society of america" brings up "soaring society of
> america inc" and "soaring society of america foundation" for me.

When I search Soaring Society of America", I get "no results found". This is searching under charities.

On 1/11/21 5:36 PM, John Foster wrote:
> On Monday, January 11, 2021 at 5:24:40 PM UTC-7, kinsell wrote:
>> On 1/11/21 4:35 PM, John Foster wrote:
>>> On Friday, December 20, 2019 at 7:21:44 AM UTC-7, wrote:
>>>> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:54:58 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
>>>>> On Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:49:46 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
>>>>>> On Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
>>>>>>> I just got a report from the Amazon Smile folks that says that to date those that have signed up for a portion of their Amazon purchases to be donated to the SSA made a total contribution of $2025.23 (no idea if that is yearly or forever). The total could have been higher but something is surely better than nothing.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What I found a bit crazy is that Amazon tells me that my personal contribution to the SSA is a whopping 6.1% of the total amount! Really? Are there so few SSA members (15 out of ~10,000 members?) using this painless and zero expense way to contribute to the organization that supports the sport that we all love?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Many SSA members are contributing via Amazon to a different non-for-profit organization which is more aligned to their charitable desires. Great! Contributing to others is a wonderful thing.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But if you don't use, or know about, the Amazon Smile contribution system then I urge you to check it out at http://smile.amazon.com/. Please support whomever you please. Maybe the SSA is a choice for you too.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks and Merry Christmas
>>>>>>> John DeRosa (OHM)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I also use Amazon Smile, but for a different (deserving) charity. Don't judge people from these statistics.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tom
>>>>>
>>>>> ...and I will add that you can make a donation DIRECTLY to the SSA if you want. I am going to do this out of my IRA that counts toward my Minimum Required Distribution and won't be taxed. This is, effectively, allows me to get charitable deductions without itemizing. The MRD only applies to us geezers over 70 1/2 that have IRAs, although anybody can do donations from their IRAs.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tom
>>>> This is very "tax efficient" as it donates money no tax has ever been paid on.
>>>> Go to the following link. https://www.ssa.org/Giving?show=blog&id=5713
>>>> There is a link at the bottom of the page for a form you can use.
>>>>
>>>> Again, thanks very much for your generosity and support.
>>>>
>>>> John Godfrey
>>>> Chair, SSA Foundation
>>>> Chair, SSA Fundraising and Development Committee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Is the SSA still listed with Amazon charities this year? I'm getting prompted from Amazon to choose a charity, but when I search for the SSA, Soaring Society of America, Young Eagles, Soaring, none of them come up with the result I'm looking for--the SSA. Am I missing something?
>>>
>> Searching for "soaring society of america" brings up "soaring society of
>> america inc" and "soaring society of america foundation" for me.
>
> When I search Soaring Society of America", I get "no results found". This is searching under charities.
>

Try going to your Account, then Change my Amazonsmile charity. I'm
already signed up for SSA, maybe I'm grandfathered somehow.