A Lot to Build On

Respite Care's success is truly a success in which our community can take pride. Receiving no state or federal funding, Respite Care has been able to fulfill its mission through the generous support of Larimer County agencies and caring individuals and companies.

During its 24 years, Respite Care has worked hard to meet the demands of Larimer County's rapidly growing population. Today, the demand for Respite Care's services far exceeds our capacity. It is time for Respite Care to grow again, and we need your help.

If you are the parent of a child with a disability, you and your family are faced with difficult decisions. How can you provide constant care for your disabled child and still meet the needs of your spouse, your other children, your job, yourself? Sadly, many parents completely exhaust themselves in this struggle, at a high cost: lost work, marital conflict, loss of quality family time, and the heartbreaking decision to permanently place their child in an outside facility.

It's a problem that affects many in Larimer County, and not only those parents who have children with disabilities. It affects all of us, because those parents are our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers; people we rely on in all parts of our community. What if you could help your community provide desperately needed services that touch the lives of hundreds of children with disabilities and their families?

Building for the future

The need was there…and through the support of the community we were able to move into our new home on June 1, 2004. We opened to near capacity and grew from 75 families to 110 and provided 36,937 hours of care in the year 2004. In 2003 we provided 26,692 hours of care to 75 families. This new facility allows us to serve up to 30 children at a time and includes an indoor gymnasium, arts and crafts room, fully handicapped-accessible sleeping rooms and an amazing outdoor playground. But more than just four walls and a roof, this building represents a giant step forward in caring for children with disabilities and their families in this community. We are continuing to add more children to our respite family along with a great volunteer corps. Our new location is easily accessible to families throughout Larimer County and we have added many new Loveland families. Our goal now is to be able to provide care to all those who request it! This is where you can help.

Help Respite Care Continue to Grow

Respite Care had a lot to build on…and we did…and our families came. We invite you to be part of our exciting future. How? Your cash donation to Respite Care ensures that we can continue to provide the only service of it’s kind in Larimer County. We provide care to our families on a sliding fee basis; therefore it is our charge to raise the dollars necessary to cover the remaining cost of care.

And because Respite Care is a nonprofit organization, your donation is tax-deductible. The total tax benefit to you can be considerable. The Colorado Child Care Tax Credit is a unique way to leverage your generous donation. By donating to Respite Care you can receive a state tax credit against your Colorado income tax in addition to a donation deduction on both your Federal and Colorado income tax returns. Currently any taxpayer that makes a monetary contribution to promote childcare in Colorado may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total contribution.

The following example demonstrates the potential benefits*.

Gift: $1,000

Federal Tax Deduction: $300 (based on a marginal rate of 30%)

State Tax Deduction: $50 (based on Federal taxable income and state rate of 30%)

Childcare Tax Credit: $500 (50% credit for contributors to qualified child care programs)

Total Reduction: $850

Net Cost to Donate to Respite Care: $150

*This example is based on several assumptions, and you should consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation. All donations must be cash. In-kind donations including securities are not eligible for this credit. Child care tax credit available through 2009.

But your gift to Respite Care will give you so much more than just a tax break – it will also give you the satisfaction of knowing that you're putting smiles on children's faces, helping parents maintain employment, and allowing families to stay together.

Please send your check to:

Respite Care, Inc.
6203 S. Lemay Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80525