Berlin, M.D. -- The holiday season is a time of year when many of us open our hearts
– and our wallets – to give to our favorite charities and
causes. With collections for the 2006 Penguin Swim in full swing, Atlantic
General Hospital and Health System urge caution when making a donation.
An unfortunate by-product of many charities and fundraising events is the
scammer posing as a representative of a legitimate cause, who collects
cash from unsuspecting citizens – only to pocket the money.
There is no way to confirm if an individual is collecting money for the
Penguin Swim; nor is there a way to verify if the funds submitted by an
individual to the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation is the total amount
collected. To protect yourself, never make cash donations.
Make checks payable to Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. In the memo
line you can write the name of the penguin team and/or individual swimmer
so they can receive credit toward the top fundraiser award given after
the big plunge. This way, the donation is tax deductible and a fraudster
would be unable to cash the check.
Writing a check ensures that your gift is reaching its intended recipient
and will give peace of mind to enjoy the holiday season.