Boy Scouts launch farm implement donation program
By Carol Ryan Dumas, Ag Weekly editor
Friday, September 26, 2008 6:06 PM CDT
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| Randy Wheatley, left, business programs specialist with Idaho Rural Development and Bob Ford, director of business, trade and rural development for Senator Mike Crapo, were on hand for an informational meeting held Sept. 18 in Jerome on the 2008 Farm Bill. BLAIR KOCH/Ag Weekly |
TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The Snake River Council of Boy Scouts of America is teaming up with Agri-Service to launch a fundraising program where implement owners can donate their aging or unused equipment and receive a tax deduction.
“It’s a novel idea,” said Paul Tikalsky, CEO and scout executive of the Council. “We think it’s pretty original. Several areas do car donations to nonprofit organization.”
It’s a good opportunity for folks to clean up their property or put their older equipment to good use and get a good tax write-off, he added.
In return, those donating will receive a donation letter from the Boy Scouts they can file with their taxes. Donators, or their accountants, are responsible for assessing the value of the equipment.
Clever Buttars, owner of Agri-Service, has agreed his farm-equipment company will load up the donated equipment and handle the disposition.
“He’s being a real class act,” Tikalsky said of Buttars.
Buttars said Agri-Service has partnered with the Boy Scouts before, and this particular program is a good fit.
“It’s strictly and Idaho program, and we have Idaho stores border to border,” he said.
Buttars said his company will provide trucking, time and labor, incorporating the sellable equipment into the company’s sales advertising and bring the rest to salvage as a charitable contribution and give any proceeds to the Council.
“We’re not in this as an advertising ploy,” he added.
The campaign kicks off this week, with a focus on the Magic and Wood River valley, and will run as long as people are willing to donate equipment, Tikalsky said.
The proceeds will be used to offset the Council’s cost on other fundraising efforts. Those efforts have raised $270,000 dollars this past year, which supports the Council office, Camp Bradley and Camp Murtaugh.
The Snake River Council serves more than 5,000 young people with 1,500 volunteers and is the largest youth service agency in south-central Idaho, Tikalsky said.
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