Community Connection Newsletter | July 2020 | News & Announcements
Welcome Sarah Ragan!
By Sondra Yantz
Meet the lovely and gifted Sarah Ledtke-Ragan. She has joined the Saginaw campus as our Social Worker. Sarah attended and earned her degree in Social work from the U of M Flint. She has found joy through her career in the Human Services field focusing in the areas of mental health, hospice care, domestic violence, and as a case manager. Sarah has blessed Samaritas with 11 professional years in Social Work.  

If you ask Sarah about her favorite things, she will tell you her kids are the best thing in the world. They make her happy. Sarah has two busy teenage children Mira, 19 and Christian, 16. Sarah, Mira, and Christian enjoy hanging out together camping and watching movies. She especially loves mystery and thriller films and books with a twist. Our delightful Sarah appreciates music, reading, writing, and taking advantage of the quiet, peaceful times of life.   

Sarah is passionate, kind, and has a great sense of humor. She is an ideal addition to our fantastic team. Sarah is eager to get to know our residents and their families better. She believes that all people are valuable and treating folks well is the best approach to any situation. Reach out and welcome Sarah to Samaritas Senior Living of Saginaw. We are blessed to have you, Sarah. 

Samaritas Backpack Drive for Kids
This drive will help needy students get the school supplies they need for the new year.
Samaritas is launching the Annual Backpack Drive for Kids to collect school supplies for the students in its care.
 
Starting Wed., July 15 through Sat., Aug 15, Samaritas is asking the public to donate 1,400 backpacks and the school supplies to fill them. 
 
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, in-person donations will not be allowed this year. Instead, the backpacks and school supplies may be purchased from this Amazon Wish List available at samaritas.co/BackpackDrive and shipped to the Samaritas Detroit Office located at 8131 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit 48214. Monetary donations to help purchase school supplies can also be made online at samaritas.org/Backpack-Drive . Visit samaritas.org/Backpack-Drive to learn more about specific items needed for various age groups. 

See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
Check out the list.
It is not a secret, but not everyone is taking advantage – Are you?
Are you like Dan and Barbara? They worked and saved carefully throughout their lives. Each year they made annual contributions to their IRA’s (Individual Retirement Accounts), knowing their funds would grow over time and help provide additional income when they retired.  
 
If you have an IRA, you know IRS regulations require you to start taking Required Minimum Distributions from your IRA starting at age 70-1/2 (unless you have a ROTH IRA).  
 
Here is the important IRA option not everyone has discovered.
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A few years ago, Dan and Barbara’s financial advisor clued them in on an opportunity to make a Charitable IRA Rollover to help support the programs and services that are important to them. 
 
Dan says, “We absolutely LOVE this option. Yes, it is good to be wise stewards of what we have, but it is not just about saving on our taxes. It is more about maximizing the use of those funds at their FULL VALUE. We have been blessed, and giving back brings us a true sense of satisfaction and JOY!”
 
If you want to join Dan and Barbara, there are a couple of important things to know:

  • No. 1 – Talk with your financial advisor to decide what works best for you and your situation.
  • No. 2 – If you decide that this is a good option for you, your IRA Plan Administrator can provide a short form to ensure the funds you give go DIRECTLY to the charity/ties of your choice. This bypasses the income tax you would otherwise pay on that distribution. 
 
You may be aware that there is a 2020 exemption to IRS Required Minimum Distribution rule due to the COVID 19 crisis. Many, like Dan and Barbara, have already decided to continue to use their distributions the same way again this year - knowing they can continue to provide help and hope for those who are most in need.  
 
If you have questions or would like more information, please connect with us to learn more.
 
Samaritas Resources include:
 
DeeDee McVety, Director – Major & Planned Gifts
 
Visit our website:  https://www.samaritas.org/About-Samaritas/Empower-Others/Donate , then click on “Tax Saving Option to Give”
Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.

Contact us at seniors@samaritas.org to s chedule a tour , learn about promotions and more.

3200 State Street | Saginaw, MI 48602 | S amaritas.org/Senior-Living | (833) 505-CARE (2273)