Make Your Mark and Make a Difference
Help Putnam County Children by Checking a Box on State Tax Form
West Virginia taxpayers have an opportunity to help keep children free from abuse and neglect simply by checking a box on the state tax form to make a tax deductible contribution to the West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund. Contributions help communities provide innovative supports to families that keep children free from abuse and neglect. All taxpayers are eligible to contribute to the Fund through the tax form.
These contributions also help to generate federal matching funds – the higher the contributions received from West Virginia taxpayers, the more federal dollars that will come to West Virginia for children. Private donors also contribute to the Fund. Every dollar contributed by West Virginia tax payers leverages between 4-5 dollars in additional funds for local community efforts.
The Putnam County Young Child Task Team of the Regional Family Resource Network is working with DHHR Child Protective Services, Appalachian Council Head Start and WIC to distribute the book What to do When Your Child is Sick to their consumer families. The goal is to get more tools into the hands of families to reduce the stress of minor medical issues that can be handled at home instead of losing time and income at work to wait sometimes hours at an emergency room or clinic. This will also help to increase parenting skills by increasing the self-confidence of the parent in handling minor issues and in calming a sick child.
Children who grow up in nurturing homes and communities are much more likely to become capable and contributing adults. Research shows that home and community life shapes character, intellect and talent from birth through a child’s teen years.
Direct contributions can also be made online at www.wvctf.org or by mail by sending to the West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund, P.O. Box 5424, Charleston, WV 25361. The Children’s Trust Fund will provide written acknowledgement and appreciation of all direct contributions.
For more information about the West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund go to www.wvctf.org or contact Jim McKay at 304-558-4637. For more information about work for children in Putnam County, please contact Regional Family Resource Network at 414-4470.