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Car Donations Maryland

Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC

“One of a kind” items always sell well in benefit auctions, and what could be more unique than getting to participate in a movie or TV production!

One of the most popular items we sell in our benefit auctions are items related to the entertainment industry.

A walk-on part usually refers to the opportunity for someone to be part of the background of a movie or a commercial. This isn’t a speaking role, but for someone who hasn’t been part of a production, these can be just as exciting items to win.

Below are three auction tips on how to get these benefit auction items.

Walk-on movie part auction tip #1: Ask family and friends.

Send an email to everyone you have in your address book. Ask if they know of anyone “in the business.” You might be surprised to learn that someone has a distant connection.

At a private school auction I worked in Maryland, the auction committee was making an effort to advertise the auction to newer families which hadn’t yet been to the annual fundraiser and might not know what was involved. As part of that outreach, they talked about auction items they hadn’t yet procured, but wanted. As it turned out, one of the new-to-the-school Dads had a former college friend in the movie business. He made a phone call and was able to procure a walk-on part to a small independent movie. Based on the crowd’s interest in the item, you would have thought the winner was going to be in the next James Bond movie. They loved it!

Walk-on movie part auction tip #2: Make friends with your state film commission.

Most states have a film commission. This commission helps movie production companies by serving as a local resource. Locate your state’s commission by conducting an internet search.

Oftentimes the commission’s Website will list all of the local producers, directors, wardrobe contacts, and other individuals working in that industry.

(Here’s an extra auction tip: If one of your auction committee volunteers has an interest in acting, ask her to conduct your outreach. She’ll have a more vested interest in getting acquainted with local producers through a phone call.)

If an upcoming crew is shooting in your area, reach out and ask for a donation of a walk-on part. The item will be an exciting addition.

One thing to remember is that typically there is no flexibility on the date. For instance, if a production needs 15 people for a restaurant scene shoot on June 18 – and that date conflicts with your winning bidders out-of-town trip – it’s just too bad for the guest who bought the item.

Walk-on movie part auction tip #3: Contact your local businesses buying air time.

Admittedly, being in a commercial carries less panache than being in a movie, but there *is* good news. Many movie extras — the auction winner included — eventually end up “on the cutting room floor,” referring to the practice of being edited out of the final production. On the other hand, a local television commercial offers the winning auction guest the potential for a lot of visibility in his own town.

To secure this type of an auction item, watch TV to see which local businesses are regularly buying airtime in your market. Vehicle dealerships might be your best bet. If so, contact a dealer to see if two of your winning bidders could serve as background in the dealership’s next commercial. Imagine the commercial: As the dealer is promoting his Memorial Day sale to the camera, maybe two of your auction guests are “customers” admiring his showroom cars.

The author of this article (yes, me) has been cast in a few commercials. You can watch excerpts from our shooting day at my blog.

I’ll see you for lunch in Hollywood, baby!

About the Author:

Did you enjoy this idea? If so, you’ll love award-winning benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar’s bi-monthly e-newsletter. It’s filled with auction photos and other ideas for auction committees. Sign-up today at Red Apple Auctions and receive her Auction Item Guide as a gift. The Guide lists the best-selling items she’s sold in benefit auctions.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Auction Ideas for Procurement: Getting Walk-On Movie and TV Roles

Donate Your Car

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Car Donations Goodwill

In the United States it’s possible to donate a vehicle (usually a car, but it can be a boat or any other form of transportation) to certain charities, and in return be able to claim a tax deduction on your personal income tax return. A car donation may be accepted on the condition that the vehicle doesn’t have to run but should be in towing condition. A charitable car donation may be worth more than a trade-in.

The new rules allow the donor to deduct only the amount the charity receives for the vehicle. Charities usually provide you with a release of liability when they take your vehicle, and after the car sells, they send you a tax-deduction form that explains how much they received for your car. There have been car donors who needed a new vehicle and they ended up buying donated and repaired vehicles.

You may have an old vehicle sitting on your property or on the street that you don’t use very often. Make sure you have the title in hand if you call in your donation.

You can usually donate a sad-looking car that’s not running, depending on the charity. The donor benefits from the donation by receiving a tax receipt for the highest possible value of the vehicle. It’s good to know that when you donate a car, you’ll get it off your property within just a couple of days, freeing up space in the garage, in the driveway or even your yard.

Your vehicle has to have all four of the tires inflated in order to be accepted. By donating a car it can eliminate spending money on repairs, advertising fees and the problems or liabilities associated with selling a vehicle. In some cases charitable car donors can still claim fair market value for their used vehicle.

If your automobile, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV or aircraft is no longer of use to you, it can still go a long way toward supporting the charity of your choice. Make sure to fill out the forms the charity representative gives you and have them ready for the driver when he comes to pick up the car. No need to pay for advertising, no loss of privacy and possible security risk, and no need to pay for vehicle registration, insurance, and repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer.

Also, if your car is running, consider dropping it off with the charity yourself to save the organization from paying for towing costs. For states that require smog certificates or safety inspection certificates, you can donate your vehicle without these documents. And some cars may not qualify for the tax exemption because of the condition they’re in.

There are a few exceptions in the new tax law regarding the fair market value section, for example, you may base your deduction on the vehicle’s fair market value if the charity sells it to a needy individual at a discounted price or if the charity uses the car as part of its mission instead of selling it. Some charities have the capability to repair or perform maintenance and get a donated vehicle ready for sale. A vehicle donation is allowed if you itemize your income tax return.

Whether it’s the law in your state or not it’s a good idea to protect yourself by having proper insurance coverage on your vehicle until it’s donated. One of the exceptions to the new IRS regulations allows donors to still deduct the fair market value of their vehicle, provided the charity materially improves the vehicle.

If you donate a car you can get a tax break and help your community at the same time. Major charity car donation programs include: Kidney Foundation Car Donation Program, Target and Goodwill Industries. Whatever the case, your car donation, like any charitable donation, will get you a good tax deduction, will go to help someone in need and it’ll make you feel good that you were able to help in some way.

About the Author:

For more information on choosing the best charity car donation, car donation program, used car donation or charitable car donation online and offline go to http://www.Car-Donation-Info.com for charity and tax deduction tips, help, facts, reviews, including information on all types of car donation

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Best Car Donation Tips To Save You Money On Your Taxes

Goodwill car donation-trusted! How to do a good auto donation