Fireworks Deficit & Contributions to the Half Moon Lake District
By Mike McMahon
Half Moon District accepts contributions to help fund our mission, and also to help fund our Fourth of July activities, especially the fireworks show. In the past, the fireworks show has been funded by advertising dollars from our two published newsletters each year. The fireworks show costs approximately $6,000 each year. We have now moved to publishing the newsletter online. We do have approximately $1000 of advertising income from our last online newsletter. The board has voted to fund the fireworks show down payment with another $2000 loan from district funds. However, beyond the advertising money with this online newsletter, we will need at least $2000 in contributions to the fireworks fund to avoid loaning more district funds to pay for the rest of this year's show. Contributions towards the firework show can be sent to our PO Box noted below. Please note 'fireworks' in the memo line of your check. As the fireworks show is outside our mission, contributions towards the fireworks show are not tax deductible. Also, our website has a Donations tab that can facilitate giving for fireworks.
As a special purpose government entity, contributions to the District to help fund our mission (maintaining, protecting, and improving the quality of our lake and its watershed) are deductible under IRS code 170(c)(1). We have been sent a government information letter from the IRS. This letter describes government entity exemption from Federal Income Tax and cites applicable Internal Revenue Code sections pertaining to deductible contributions and income exclusion. If you would like to include the District in your giving plans to support our mission, your gift would be most welcome. The website Donations tab can also be used to give funds towards our mission. Fighting invasive species requires a lot of funds! We will send you a gift acknowledgement letter describing the tax status of your contribution. In addition, we will send a copy of the government information letter if so requested. Please send your gifts toward our mission or fireworks to:
Half Moon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
PO Box 118
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Any questions please call or email Mike McMahon (mmcma10134@aol.com, 515-371-2243).