December 2, 2014

Today is #GivingTuesday, the "Black Friday" for charitable giving and part of a national movement to create a day of philanthropy. Please consider participating by making a gift of time or money to the Lake Champlain Committee. Below are ten great ways you can support the work for clean, accessible water with your time, money or action. No need to get up early, jockey in line, or rush around -- you can make your donation online.

1. Volunteer

Share your time and skills with LCC! Sign up online to steward the Trail, monitor water quality, fundraise, help out at the office or assist the work for drinkable water, swimmable beaches, and edible fish in other ways.

2. Make a Year-end Gift

A year-end donation will support our award-winning blue-green algae monitoring program, stewardship of the Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail, and education and outreach to protect water quality. Your contribution will help us train hundreds of citizens and recreational personnel to assess water quality, work with partners to maintain a safe recreational corridor for human-powered craft, and implement programs to foster stewardship. Donate online through our secure website or send a check (add "end of year donation" to the check memo line) to LCC at 208 Flynn Avenue, Building 3, Studio 3F, Burlington, VT  05401.

3. Gift a Membership

Know someone who loves the lake? Have a good friend who you play on the water with? Express your caring for the wonderful people in your life and your concern for water quality at the same time by gifting a membership in LCC. Just fill in our mail-in form or sign them up online (be sure to check the Gift Membership box) and we'll do the rest! Gift a membership at the $45 level and recipients will receive word this month with a special lake card and we'll send them the annual Paddlers' Trail guidebook in June. Purchase a $55 gift membership and we'll include an autographed copy of our award-winning book "Lake Champlain A Natural History" with the lake card. 

4. Donate to the Future

Help ensure LCC's long-term stability by making a donation to LCC's Legacy Fund Endowment. The endowment generates annual operating income to protect water quality, safeguard natural habitats, provide access, and foster stewardship. Contribute online, download the form and mail a check to LCC, or contact Executive Director Lori Fisher (802 658-1421) to discuss making a contribution.

5. Purchase LCC Lake Note Cards

Wish you could look at Lake Champlain every day? You can with a purchase of LCC's stunning photo cards featuring beautiful vistas of our favorite lake! An eight-card set includes two cards each of four different arresting scenes and costs $10 for members, $14 if you haven't joined yet. (Shipping and handling is extra.) The cards are printed on high quality, 100% recycled card stock and come with matching envelopes. You can view all four scenes on our website and purchase them online, download our mail-in form, or call us at 802 658-1414 and we'll process your order. Proceeds from any note card purchase supports LCC's work for a healthy, accessible lake. Many thanks to photographers Carolyn Bates, Trip Kinney, Lisa Liotta, and Philip Mongeau for generously sharing their lake pictures with LCC!

6. Renew Your Membership

Your annual membership keeps LCC staff on the water and out in the community working for a clean, accessible lake. Today is a great day to renew your annual support. You can donate online or mail a check to LCC at 208 Flynn Avenue, Building 3, Studio 3F, Burlington, VT 05401. Contact us at 802-658-1414 if you need to check on your membership status and most recent giving amount. 

7. Join LCC

Haven't gotten around to becoming a member yet? Today is a great day to join in the work for drinkable water, swimmable beaches and edible fish. Your membership dollars will help us guide the direction of the lake clean-up plan, maintain our award-winning monitoring program, steward the Paddlers' Trail, provide training so educators can teach about the lake, and more. You can join online, call our office (802-658-1414) to process your donation over the phone, or mail a check to our address below. Either way, your gift will really make a difference to protect this special corner of the planet.

8. Make a Tax-Free Gift from Your IRA

If you're 70 and 1/2 years of age or more and have an IRA, you can make a tax-free gift of up to $100,000 to LCC! The IRA Charitable Rollover has been extended through 12/31/14. You can designate your donation for a particular purpose or for unrestricted use. Click here for more information.

9. Take the Lake Protection Pledge

Lake Champlain's health is a reflection of our actions and values. Sign LCC's Lake Protection Pledge and take steps around your home and community to  protect water quality. 

10. Spread the Word

Let your friends know you are joining the call to celebrate giving and share the Lake Champlain Committee's story. Tell them why you are an LCC member and encourage them to join.

Any contribution you make to support our work will strengthen our programs and impact.

Thanks for caring!

Lori Fisher, LCC Executive Director