Laurie Landy, Founding Director of Special Strides in Monroe has become a board member of a new nonprofit 501 (C) 3 charitable organization, Neighbors Fundraising for Neighbors (NF4N)., NF4N is dedicated to facilitating community fundraising efforts to provide financial assistance to individuals in need who are facing medical challenges and require medical services and equipment to improve their quality of life. NF4N is available to help families who are unable to organize an IRS approved charitable fundraiser yet are still facing the staggering uninsured costs of a medical crises. The vision that drives NF4N is improving the quality of life for individuals and families burdened with serious ongoing medical crises., Fundraisers through NF4N can also be used for approved housing costs, utility expenditures and food purchases. NF4N’s goal is to enable the collection of donations through a recordkeeping organization and the distribution of the net proceeds to recipients verified suppliers of needed services and equipment designed to improve their quality of life. NF4N does not provide staffing or financial support for any fundraising activities., There is widespread need to simplify the funding for an individual or a family facing a medical crisis. Local newspapers promote events like walks, dance-a-thons and pancake breakfasts to support a child and their family, or an adult going through a life-threatening medical crisis. Many people facing such a crisis publicize the need on social media and hope it “goes viral.” However, regardless of how the solicitation of funds is done, the donors are not entitled to a tax deduction. NF4N solves that problem and does the recordkeeping., Fundraising activities that NF4N will support can be designed to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses. This may include expenses such as insurance deductibles and co-payments, travel expenses incurred for medical treatment, wheelchair accessible vans and other equipment not covered by insurance, and home modifications designed for handicapped accessibility., Neighbors Fundraising for Neighbors can provide an approved fundraising event with valuable tools including a website presence, including a “Donate Now” button that will drive donors to a secure credit card processing organization. NF4N can also provide a dedicated page on its website to facilitate donation collection, event liability insurance and the ability to receive donations from other fundraising organizations., To apply for support, applications can be submitted by either the recipient or legal guardian. However, the recipient or their legal representative must sign a HIPAA form authorizing their physician to send written verification of their medical diagnosis to NF4N’s Board. The application form is available on the website, www.NF4N.org., To reach the group for help, call Eric Kutell at (609) 658-6811 or email to [email protected].
